Stephen is a Partner in A&L Goodbody's Corporate practice, specialising in Insurance & Reinsurance. He is experienced in the areas of insurance, reinsurance, financial regulation, as well as in mergers and acquisitions for insurers, reinsurers and insurance intermediaries.
Stephen gained significant experience in the insurance sector as a senior in-house counsel advising a large, US-based multinational life and non-life insurer in respect of its European and EMEA business.
Stephen regularly advises domestic and international insurers, reinsurers and insurance intermediaries on M&A transactions, portfolio transfers, reinsurance treaties, regulatory matters, ESG issues, risk management, outsourcing and corporate governance.
Areas of Expertise
Insurance & Reinsurance /Corporate and M&A/ESG & Sustainability
Experience Advising:
- Advising an Irish reinsurer on the transfer of its reinsurance portfolio to a Gibraltar insurer by means of a scheme of arrangement post-Brexit, and the subsequent hand back of its licence to the Central Bank of Ireland.
- Advising a large US pharmaceutical company on the sale of its two Irish captive insurers, including related reinsurance and collateral arrangements.
- Advising a large US multinational life insurer in relation to the launch of its group life insurance product in Ireland, representing its entry into the domestic Irish insurance market.
- Advising an Irish-authorised cross-border life insurer on the launch of its PRSA and ARF products in Ireland, representing its entry into the domestic Irish insurance market.
- Advising on numerous acquisitions and disposals of insurance intermediaries in the Irish market.
- Advising numerous (re)insurers on portfolio transfers, bulk purchase annuities, regulatory matters, engagement with the Central Bank of Ireland, restructurings and liquidations, as well as advising on synthetic securitisations, ESG & Sustainability-related matters.
Market Recommendations
“He's absolutely superb: he delivers on time, responds when he says he will, always follows up with recaps of meetings on the same day and reminds us of commitments.” (Chambers Europe 2025)
“Stephen D'Ardis has an excellent understanding of the legal and regulatory landscape for insurers and reinsurers.” (Chambers Europe 2025)
“Stephen is straightforward, easy to deal with and very responsive.” (Chambers Europe 2025)
Professional activities
Stephen has published several articles on insurance topics in the last number of years, as well as lecturing and presenting at conferences in Ireland and abroad on a range of insurance topics.
Education
- BCL, University College Dublin
- Solicitor, Law Society of Ireland
- Diploma in Insurance Law, Law Society of Ireland
- Diploma in Finance, University of London
- Attorney in New York State
Stephen D’Ardis
Partner,
Insurance & Reinsurance
Dublin