Ranking tables
Investment Funds | Global
Ireland
Rankings overview for Departments
Band 1
Maples Group 8 Years Ranked
Matheson LLP 4 Years Ranked- A&L Goodbody
- Arthur Cox
- Dillon Eustace
Band 2
Eminent Practitioners
Peter Stapleton Maples Group12 Years Ranked- Donnacha O'ConnorDillon Eustace
Band 1
Mark White McCann FitzGerald LLP14 Years Ranked
Tara Doyle Matheson LLP16 Years Ranked- Kevin MurphyArthur Cox
- Tara O'ReillyArthur Cox
Band 2
Carol Widger Dechert LLP12 Years Ranked
Dualta Counihan Matheson LLP12 Years Ranked
Nicholas Blake-Knox Walkers4 Years Ranked
Shay Lydon Matheson LLP12 Years Ranked- Brian KelliherDillon Eustace
- Dara HarringtonArthur Cox
- Michael BarrA&L Goodbody
Band 3
Band 4
Adam Donoghue Maples Group7 Years Ranked
Ciara O'Leary Dechert LLP1 Years Ranked
James Phelan William Fry LLP2 Years Ranked
Jeff Mackey Dechert LLP3 Years Ranked
Niamh Ryan Simmons & Simmons LLP7 Years Ranked
Philip Lovegrove Matheson LLP6 Years Ranked- Trevor Dolan Eversheds Sutherland9 Years Ranked
Vincent Coyne William Fry LLP9 Years Ranked- Cillian BredinDillon Eustace
- Cormac ComminsArthur Cox
- Ian DillonArthur Cox
- Mark BrowneClerkin Lynch
- Stephen CarsonA&L Goodbody
Up and Coming
Aongus McCarthy Walkers1 Years Ranked- Barry O'Connor Matheson LLP1 Years Ranked
- Deirdre McIlvenna Maples Group1 Years Ranked
Morgan Dunne McCann FitzGerald LLP2 Years Ranked
Sergey Dolomanov William Fry LLP1 Years Ranked- Colman O'LoghlenDillon Eustace
- Derbhil O'RiordanDillon Eustace
All Departments profiles
Band 1
1 Maples GroupInvestment Funds2025 | Band 1 | 8 Years RankedMaples earns praise for its advice to US or UK investment firms establishing Irish UCITS or AIF management companies, including those that require 'top-up' MiFID permissions. The law firm maintains a market-leading reputation for advice on the set-up and authorisation of alternative investment funds. Maples has specific experience in the structuring of LQIAIFs. The law firm's global fund registrations team affords promoters access to investors across Europe and other key markets. Maples is part of a global team that has local capabilities in markets such as the Cayman Islands, Luxembourg and the British Virgin Islands.1 Matheson LLPInvestment Funds2025 | Band 1 | 4 Years RankedMatheson has an esteemed offering that regularly handles fund formation mandates and assists with the establishment and authorisation of fund management companies. The law firm earns praise for specific MiFID or investment management regulatory expertise. It assists with all corporate, commercial and regulatory matters arising for independent fund service providers expanding into the Irish market through global M&A transactions. Matheson advises on the launch of new sub-funds on UCITS platforms and assists with the transitioning of third-party managers away from the same. The law firm also handles standalone mandates relating to the drafting of fund services agreements, including within the context of the replacement of existing management companies.
Band 2
2 Dechert LLPInvestment Funds2025 | Band 2 | 4 Years RankedDechert benefits from a strong connection to the firm's significant international network, which enables the team to advise UK and US fund managers on the establishment of Irish-domiciled funds and on their registration and distribution across Europe and globally. The law firm assists with the establishment of local UCITS ManCos, AIFMs or MiFID firms, often for international firms restructuring activities out of the UK. It advises investment management firms on the change of funds service providers. Dechert also counts major third-party managers among key clients.
2 McCann FitzGerald LLPInvestment Funds2025 | Band 2 | 4 Years RankedMcCann FitzGerald has a prominent practice advising on a mix of funds matters. The law firm advises payment services or peer-to-peer lending companies on the process to become authorised by the Irish Central Bank and on commercial matters relating to their ongoing operations. Lawyers in the team advise on the establishment of fund management companies and handle related compliance mandates. McCann FitzGerald also assists with all issues relating to the launch of sub-funds on QIAIF or UCITS platforms, including the appointment of managers and other funds service providers.
2 William Fry LLPInvestment Funds2025 | Band 2 | 4 Years RankedWilliam Fry acts for a number of top financial service providers and investment managers on a variety of funds structures and products. It has a dedicated global funds registrations team that assists clients seeking to sell funds across Europe and worldwide. William Fry advises on mergers of sub-funds as well as the launch of various product platforms, including EFT and QUIAIF platforms products for global asset management companies. The law firm also advises on regulatory licence applications to the Central Bank on behalf of UCITS management companies.
Band 3
3 Mason Hayes & Curran LLPInvestment Funds2025 | Band 3 | 4 Years RankedMason Hayes & Curran handles applications for the authorisation of AIFMs and assists with the appointment or termination of asset managers or other fund service providers. It also acts on the establishment of funds and sub-funds that fall under the different regulatory regimes for UCITS and AIFs.
3 Simmons & Simmons LLPInvestment Funds2025 | Band 3 | 4 Years RankedSimmons & Simmons is a prominent presence on the Irish funds landscape, combining a superb global reputation with the presence of experienced Irish partners. The law firm assists with applications to the Irish regulator for the authorisation of AIFM and UCITS management companies or other fund service providers. It also has proven experience in the establishment of new AIFs that are structured through master-feeder funds. Simmons & Simmons further assists with the launch of sub-funds on UCITS platforms.
3 WalkersInvestment Funds2025 | Band 3 | 4 Years RankedWalkers advises on the creation of UCITS umbrella funds and on subsequent launches of sub-funds, including for companies that host third-party managers. The law firm advises on the appointment of third-party management companies or the negotiation of depositary agreements. It further acts for international clients seeking to set up fund management companies in Ireland. The Dublin branch is well connected as part of the Walkers Global network.