Marie O’Brien
Partner, Aviation and Transport Finance
Dublin
Marie O'Brien is a partner in the Finance Department, specialising in aviation and transportation finance. Marie is highly experienced in advising in relation to the acquisition, leasing, financing and trading of a variety of asset classes including aircraft, engines, helicopters, ship, rail, machinery and equipment. Marie is also Head of A&L Goodbody's Chinese Lawyer's Placement Programme and China Business Group.
Areas of Expertise
Aviation & Transport Finance/Finance/Financial Solutions/Investing in Ireland/Domestic & International Finance
Experience Advising:
- International lessors, banks, private equity and investors on establishing and growing aircraft leasing platforms in Ireland including through joint venture structures.
- Lenders and borrowers in relation to variety of structures for the financing of aircraft, engines, helicopters, ships and other equipment including sale and leaseback, commercial debt, capital markets including ABS, PDP financing and export credit agency financings.
- On the Cape Town Convention and Aircraft Protocol.
- Leasing companies on trading of aircraft, engine and other assets.
- On M&A transactions relating to aircraft companies such as ASL Aviation on acquisition of Farnair, CarVal on acquisition of Aergo Capital Limited.
- A number of the recent ABS transactions including Project Labrador and Elix's first ABS.
Market Recommendations
"An expert in high-profile and complex aviation finance matters. She makes you feel as if you are in good hands." (Chambers Global 2019)
"A very commercial lawyer who provides excellent advice, is always very responsive and works with her clients to find solutions to issues." (Chambers Global 2018)
"Excellent, always willing to assist - a true problem solver." (IFLR1000 2017)
"Acts on many high-end aviation cases, clients appreciate her unrelenting pursuit of problem solving, drawing on her previous experiences, knowledge and understanding of the aviation industry." (Chambers Global 2016)
Professional activities
Marie regularly speaks in Ireland and internationally on asset finance and Cape Town Convention related topics. She currently lectures on the Irish Law Society's Diploma in Aviation Leasing & Finance and on the Banking and Finance Module of the Professional Training Course in the Law Society of Ireland.
Education
- Solicitor, Law Society of Ireland
- BCL (International), University College Dublin & University of Melbourne, Australia
Marie O’Brien
Partner, Aviation and Transport Finance
Dublin