A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland LLP‘s ‘superb’ finance team maintains its position as a go-to for major Northern Ireland and international banks. Ciaran McAlinney, who specialises in acquisition and leveraged finance, leads the practice and regularly acts on high-value lending transactions. Louise Bailey is recognised for her expertise in real estate finance, securitisations and debt restructuring, while Judith Brown stands out for advising on distressed loans. On the advisory front, Christopher Jessup is well-versed in financial services regulations and handles compliance issues. Hannah McDaid is experienced in cross-border project finance transactions, particularly in the energy sector.

Tughans’ banking, finance and restructuring team is noted for its expertise in advising both domestic and international borrowers in secured and unsecured lending matters. The firm’s core expertise covers negotiating securities and investment structures and refinancing existing facilities. Team lead Fearghal O’Loan leads the practice and advises on cross-border acquisition finance transactions. Douglas Anderson handles financing and funding structures across the full spectrum of sectors, particularly the energy sector. Julie Huddleston regularly acts for major financial institutions in real estate finance and corporate lending matters.

The Arthur Cox Belfast banking and finance team’s enviable clientele consists of domestic and international retail banks, private equity firms and alternative lenders. Heading up the team is Stuart Mansfield, who is well-versed in corporate banking transactions and has experience advising on syndicated loans.  Colm McElroy provides ‘excellent’ borrower-side advice on secured financing transactions and acts as local counsel on cross-border financial restructuring mandates, and David Rogan regularly provides support on real estate and development finance and construction finance.

The ‘strong’ team at Carson McDowell acts for a broad range of clients from financial institutions to corporate borrowers on real estate finance, energy finance and cross-border lending matters. Practice head Sinead McGrath routinely receives instructions on securitised financing transactions and acquisition finance matters in the construction sector. Secured lending transactions are key to Damian McElholm‘s practice, while Rachel Lewis supports on acquisition finance and mortgage-backed securitisation work.

Cleaver Fulton Rankin maintains its position as an advisor to major lending institutions operating in Northern Ireland and has particular expertise in project and development finance and the funding of charities. Practice head Stephen Cross is well equipped to advise on compliance in capital markets transactions and is adept at providing banks with regulatory advice. Praised for being ‘commercial’, Sinead Stewart has key strengths in group reorganisation, debt restructuring and the sale of distressed real estate.

Davidson McDonnell is noted for representing both borrower-side and lender-side clients across various financing transactions, including development and real estate finance matters. The finance department regularly supports the corporate team on borrower advisory work. Aisling Owens leads the team and is well-versed in lender security agreements. Rowan Gibney is another key individual of note.

DWF‘s finance and restructuring department draws on its global network, in particular its offices in England and Ireland, to advise banks and borrowers in cross-border acquisition financing and real estate finance matters. Praised for her ‘excellent technical ability’, Orla Hanna heads up the practice and is adept at advising lenders and borrowers on secured and unsecured lending matters. Emma Copeland supports Hanna, particularly in matters with a cross-border or real estate finance element.

The banking and finance team at Millar McCall Wylie LLP‘s client roster consists of alternative lenders, ranging from privately backed loan funds and pension funds to high-net-worth individuals. The team advises on acquisition and debt financing transactions. Co-heads John Finnegan and Peter McCall lead the practice. Finnegan is active in the financing of properties in both the residential and commercial sectors. Patricia Arell assists on the security aspects of commercial property matters.

Mills Selig recently bolstered its banking and finance practice with the hire of Richard Houliston from TLT. Houliston now heads up the practice, which is instructed by SMEs and corporate borrowers on funding matters. Houliston regularly advises on the Northern Irish aspects of major international mandates, including structured finance transactions.

The banking and finance team at Shoosmiths LLP has a strong lender-side real estate finance practice and is active in advising on the financing aspects of acquisitions in the retail and leisure sectors. Team lead Anna Vangrove has a niche in energy finance and regularly advises on mandates in the purpose-built student accommodation and build-to-rent sectors. Michael Kelly supports on the full spectrum of real estate finance matters, including the refinancing of hotels. Grainne Fairbrother is another highlighted member of the team.

The banking team at Elliott Duffy Garrett specialises in secured lending transactions and works closely with the commercial property team. The department is led by Kevin McVeigh, who regularly advises on mortgage-backed securitisation transactions. Cathy Murphy and John McElrone advise on security documentation and the Northern Irish law affecting transactions and underlying mortgages.

The key point of contact for banking and finance advice at Eversheds Sutherland‘s Belfast office is practice head Deborah Archer. Archer routinely advises local and international financial institutions in relation to structuring their security packages. Recent instructions include negotiating facility agreements for high-value asset acquisitions. Lynsey Elliott joined the firm in January 2025 from A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland LLP and bolsters the firm’s real estate and development finance and energy finance capabilities.

Residential lending and commercial lending are key areas of focus for Wilson Nesbitt‘s banking and finance team. The department acts for major lenders in mortgage documentation and refinancing matters. Acquisition and real estate finance specialist Max Nesbitt jointly leads the team alongside Ian Creighton, who focuses on lender-side work and is adept at loan security work.