Maples Group Names 16 New Global Partners and Of Counsel in 2025
Maples and Calder, the Maples Group’s law firm, is pleased to announce the promotion of 16 of its lawyers to Partner and Of Counsel this year. The new cohort represent the strength and depth of the international law firm’s Cayman Islands, Dubai, Hong Kong, Irish, Jersey and Luxembourg legal offerings with lawyers from six of its offices represented in the latest round of promotions.
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Maples and Calder, the Maples Group’s law firm, is pleased to announce its 2025 global Partner and Of Counsel promotions. The 16 newly appointed lawyers represent the breadth of talent and leadership of the international law firm with promotions spanning across six of its 15 global offices.
The newly elected Partners and Of Counsel have been made across the firm’s core practice areas of Corporate, Dispute Resolution & Insolvency, Finance and Funds & Investment Management in its Cayman Islands, Dubai, Dublin, Hong Kong, Jersey and Luxembourg offices. With a global team of nearly 3000 lawyers and professionals, these latest appointments strengthen the Group’s legacy and reinforce its commitment to consistently deliver high-quality, time zone-convenient and innovative services to its international clients.
Global Managing Partner, Jonathan Green, said “It is with great pleasure that I announce these appointments on behalf of the Maples Group. Our new Partners and Of Counsel continue to exemplify our core values of excellence, dedication to client service, and integrity. Their contribution has been invaluable and their new roles further strength our ability to service our clients with the highest level of professionalism and expertise for years to come.”
A list of the newly appointed Partners and Of Counsel by office will be updated below in due course.
Asia Appointments
Maples Group Appoints Of Counsel Duo in Hong Kong
Maples and Calder, the Maples Group’s law firm, is pleased to announce the promotion of two of its lawyers to Of Counsel in its Hong Kong office. The two new Of Counsel have been appointed to the firm’s Asia Dispute Resolution & Insolvency and Funds & Investment Management practices, demonstrating their broad range of skills and contributions to the firm.
The new Of Counsel are Jean Bao (Dispute Resolution & Insolvency) and Aidan O’Regan (Funds & Investment Management).
In their new leadership roles, Jean and Aidan will work closely with John Trehey, Head of the Asia Dispute Resolution team, and Ann Ng, Head of the Asia Funds & Investment Management team, to help drive strategic initiatives and continue to provide exceptional client service across the region.
Commenting on the promotions, Asia Regional Managing Partner, Michael Gagie said, “We are pleased to announce the promotion of Jean and Aidan to Of Counsel. They have demonstrated strong commitment and excellence in their respective practices and to the wider firm. Their promotion is reflective of their hard work and legal acumen given to their clients and colleagues. We are confident that they will continue to provide outstanding service and leadership in their new roles.”
Ann Ng and John Trehey echoed similar sentiments.
Ann added, “Aidan’s expertise and dedication have been invaluable. On behalf of the Asia Funds & Investment Management team, I congratulate Aidan on his new role where he will continue to excel and contribute significantly to our clients and the practice.”
“Jean’s promotion is a testament to her skills and commitment to our clients and practice. The Asia Dispute Resolution & Insolvency practice congratulates Jean and looks forward to working closely with her in this new leadership role as she helps drive the practice forward,” remarked John.
Over the past three decades, the firm continues to support and advise on some of the most significant matters in the region, receiving top-tier awards and accolades in the Asia Legal Directories1 as a result.
Recent highlights include:
- Advising SciClone on HK$8.79 Billion Hong Kong Privatisation2
- Advised Global Funds Trust Company, a member of the Nomura Group, on the launch of Nomura Fund Select – Goldman Sachs Private Credit Strategies Fund3
- Maples Group’s Asia and Irish Funds Practices Advise on Publicly Offered Fund in Japan4
1https://maples.com/news/maples-group-achieves-tier-one-ranking-in-the-legal-500-greater-china-legal-2025-guide and https://maples.com/news/maples-group-excels-in-legal-500-singapore-guide-2025
2https://maples.com/news/maples-group-cross-border-team-advises-sciclone-on-hk8-79-billion-hong-kong-privatisation
3https://maples.com/news/maples-group-advises-nomura-on-launch-of-nomura-fund-select-goldman-sachs-private-credit-strategies-fund
4https://maples.com/news/maples-groups-asia-and-irish-funds-practices-advise-on-publicly-offered-fund-in-japan
Luxembourg Appointments
Maples Group Appoints New Funds Lawyer to Partner in Luxembourg
Maples and Calder (Luxembourg) SARL, the Maples Group’s law firm in Luxembourg, is pleased to announce the promotion of Donnchadh McCarthy to Partner in its Funds & Investment Management practice.
Donnchadh, a distinguished funds lawyer, has been an integral part of the Funds & Investment Management practice since joining the firm in 2020. He advises clients on the structuring and setting up of both regulated and unregulated investment vehicles, with a particular focus on UCITS and AIFs. With extensive experience in the funds sector, Donnchadh has consistently demonstrated exceptional legal acumen, dedication, and a client-focused approach.
The Maples Group’s Global Funds & Investment practice is distinguished by its extensive expertise and global reach, with over 130 funds lawyers worldwide. This global network enables its Luxembourg law firm to provide unparalleled legal services and insights from multiple jurisdictions. Donnchadh’s promotion to Partner is a testament to the strength and depth of the Maples Group’s global Funds & Investment Management practice.
Commenting on the Donnchadh’s promotion, Luxembourg Managing Partner, Johan Terblanche said, “It is with great pleasure that I announce Donnchadh’s promotion to Partner. Donnchadh’s promotion is a reflection of his exceptional contributions to our firm and the high level of service he provides to our clients. Our Luxembourg practice continues to thrive, and Donnchadh’s promotion further exemplifies our dedication to investing in both our team and our law firm in Luxembourg”.
The Maples Group’s Luxembourg office has experienced exceptional growth in recent years, establishing itself as a key player in the financial and legal sectors. This expansion is highlighted by strategic hires and the development of a robust team of lawyers and professionals dedicated to providing top-tier services. A notable addition to the Luxembourg office was the recent addition of Yann Hilpert as a Partner and co-head of its Finance practice1, further demonstrating its commitment to growing its presence in the region.
Beyond its renowned Funds & Investment Management practice, the Maples Group’s Luxembourg office is highly recognised for its expertise in corporate, finance, tax, and associated regulatory matters. The firm has built a strong reputation in the market for delivering comprehensive legal solutions that address the complex needs of its domestic and international clients. In addition to several successful fund launches and closings, some recent transactions include advising ICG on the Luxembourg legal aspects of an innovative new capital call facility provided by HSBC Bank PLC2. Additionally, the firm provided counsel to Bain Capital on the acquisition of an 80% stake in AQ Compute, the data centre business of Aquila Group3. Furthermore, the Luxembourg Corporate team advised Creditsafe Group on the acquisition of the business information unit and its total assets, including operational activities, customers and data, of Editus Luxembourg S.A4
Maples and Calder (Luxembourg) SARL provides full service legal advice on Luxembourg law with regard to Corporate, Finance, Funds & Investment Management and Tax matters, with a deep bench of highly experienced lawyers on the ground. The Maples Group also provides fund and fiduciary services from Luxembourg and the breadth of its combined international capabilities along with its ability to advise on multi-jurisdictional transactions continues to set the law firm apart from its local counterparts.
1Maples Group Hires Yann Hilpert, Growing its Luxembourg Asset Finance, Fund Finance, Securitisation and Capital Markets Capabilities – Maples Group
2Maples Group Luxembourg Advises ICG on Innovative US$240 Million Capital Call Facility Refinancing – Maples Group
3Maples Group Luxembourg Advises Bain Capital on Acquisition of Aquila Group to Build Leading European Sustainable Data Centre Platform – Maples Group
4Maples Group’s Luxembourg Corporate Team Act on Business Intelligence Acquisition for Creditsafe – Maples Group
Dubai Appointments
Maples Group Appoints New Finance Partner in Dubai
Maples and Calder, the Maples Group’s law firm is pleased to announce the promotion of Gurminder Sanghera to Partner in its Finance practice in Dubai.
Gurminder brings extensive experience in international capital markets and finance transactions, including aircraft finance, Islamic finance, structured finance and banking. Gurminder advises on the laws of the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands (BVI) covering all aspects of sukuk and conventional bond issuances, Islamic compliant investment platforms, banking, and aircraft finance transactions, and has a broad understanding of Cayman Islands and BVI corporate and investment funds matters. He has been instrumental in the success of numerous high-profile deals, including two recent notable transactions advising ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Company K.S.C.P on the sale of its aviation leasing business to Macquarie AirFinance1 and Warba Bank K.S.C.P. on the launch of its US$200 Million Islamic Income Fund2.
The Maples Group’s Dubai office was recognised for advising on a number of ‘Deals of the Year 2024’ awarded at the recent Islamic Finance News awards ceremony, including:
- Hybrid Deal of the Year: Energy Development Oman’s US$50 Million Sukuk
- Perpetual Sukuk Deal of the Year: Alrajhi Bank’s US$1 Billion Additional Tier 1 Perpetual Sukuk.
- Restructuring Deal of the Year: Drake & Scull’s AED364 Million Zero-Coupon Sukuk.
- Kuwait Deal of the Year: Alafco Aviation Lease and Finance Company’s US$2.2 Billion Aircraft Portfolio Sale.
- UAE Deal of the Year: Drake & Scull’s AED364 Million Zero-Coupon Sukuk.
These prestigious awards honour best in class within the Islamic financial sector.
Commenting on Gurminder’s promotion, Joint Managing Partner of the Dubai office, Manuela Belmontes said: “We are delighted to announce Gurminder’s promotion to Partner. His deep understanding of the legal landscape and his extensive knowledge of the GCC market, combined with his dedication to achieving successful outcomes for our clients, has been instrumental in the growth and success of our Finance practice in Dubai. Gurminder’s promotion reflects our commitment to investing in our team and recognising the exceptional talent within our firm.”
The Maples Group’s Dubai offices offer legal, fund administration and fiduciary services to clients based in or doing business in the Middle East. Regulated as a DNFBP by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”), Maples and Calder (Dubai) LLP provides legal advice on the laws of the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands in a convenient time zone with in-depth local market and cultural knowledge. In addition, Maples Fund Services (Middle East) Limited is regulated by the DFSA and provides a comprehensive range of fund accounting and administration services, as well as fiduciary and corporate services including incorporation, company secretarial and board support and registered office services to capital markets and structured finance structures traditional open and closed-ended investment funds, hedge funds, bespoke Islamic compliant investment structures and private equity vehicles incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, DIFC and other international jurisdictions.
1Maples Group Provides Cayman Islands Legal Assistance to ALAFCO on US$3.3 Billion Aircraft Transaction – Maples Group
2Maples Group Supports Warba Bank with Launch of US$200 Million Islamic Fund – Maples Group
Ireland Appointments
Maples Group Signals Further Growth with Appointments Across all Levels in Ireland
International law firm Maples and Calder (Ireland) LLP, the Maples Group’s law firm in Ireland, is pleased to announce the appointment of 19 lawyers across all levels within the firm following a period of exceptional growth and activity. Notably, five senior lawyers were appointed to Partner and Of Counsel positions while 14 trainee lawyers who recently qualified with the firm will be elevated to Associate roles in the coming month.
Richard O’Donoghue (Funds & Investment Management) has been promoted to Partner while Una Killeen (Finance), Rory Beasley (Finance) and Richard O’Mahony (Funds & Investment Management) have been promoted to Of Counsel positions. These promotions follow the recent appointment of Stephen Gardiner (Finance) who joined the firm earlier this month as a Partner from another domestic law firm1.
In Ireland, the Maples Group provides full service Irish legal services to domestic and international clients in addition to fund and fiduciary services and with over 500 employees. The firm has grown to become the second largest office within the Group. Being part of a global organisation with 15 offices worldwide offers the firm’s lawyers the opportunity to work with international clients on projects of scale in Ireland but also the chance to work in North America, the Caribbean, Europe or Asia, while progressing within the Maples Group.
Speaking on the appointments, Ireland Managing Partner, Peter Stapleton said: “I congratulate Richard, Una, Rory and Richard on their much-deserved success and welcome Stephen to the Maples Group. Over the past 20 years ago, the firm has developed an award-winning leadership team through such internal promotions and recruiting the best talent in the market. I would also note the success of our Early Careers Programmes which strengthens the depth of expertise across the practices in our Dublin office and supports the firm’s succession planning”.
He continued: “In the last ten years alone, the firm has grown by 35% and I am very proud to say that we now have nearly 250 lawyers and professionals working across our wide range of practice groups with a further 280 professionals in our fund and fiduciary services team. These latest appointments strengthen our ability to consistently deliver high-quality and innovative services to our domestic and international clients”.
2024 was another record-breaking year for the firm with its reputation for excellence and innovation strengthened across all major sectors. Key deals spanned the areas of financial services, sustainable finance, corporate, tax, technology, capital markets, aviation, banking, restructuring, regulatory, banking, real estate and private equity. Notably, the firm advised on Endo International plc’s US$6 billion Irish Scheme of Arrangement2; AMCS on its sale to EQT Private Equity3; and Windward Air Capital and its partner Bain Capital on new financing facilities4.
Additionally, the firm expanded its investment in innovation and technology with its AI Advisory team serving an increasing number of clients in the FinTech sector following the coming into force of the EU’s AI Act.
1https://maples.com/news/maples-group-expands-global-asset-finance-practice-with-strategic-aviation-hire-in-ireland
2https://maples.com/news/maples-group-advises-the-official-committee-of-opioid-claimants-in-endos-us6-billion-irish-scheme-of-arrangement
3https://maples.com/news/maples-group-advises-amcs-on-its-landmark-sale-to-eqt-private-equity
4https://maples.com/news/maples-group-advises-windward-air-capital-on-new-direct-aviation-lending-platform
