Maples Group Strengthens Financial Services Regulatory Practice with New Partner Hire

Lorna joins the Maples Group having previously worked at two other large Irish law firms in addition to a Big Four accountancy firm.  Lorna is a member of the Council of the Fintech & Payments Association of Ireland and co-chair of its Regulatory Insights Group. She is also a member of the Association of Compliance Officers of Ireland and Irish Funds. Lorna will work alongside regulatory-focused Partners, Stephen Carty and Philip Keegan and Senior Regulatory Executive, Alison Gibney to grow the firm’s Irish Financial Services Regulatory practice, and she will also collaborate with the Group’s expanding global Regulatory practice, comprised of lawyers in five locations, including the Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands.

Lorna has over 10 years’ experience in financial services regulation, and in addition to more traditional industries like banking, insurance and investment services, Lorna brings a depth of experience in fintech and also focuses on growth areas such as alternative lending and sustainable finance.

Speaking about Lorna’s appointment, Ireland Managing Partner, Nicholas Butcher said, “We are very pleased to have Lorna on board to strengthen further our expertise in this key area. Lorna’s arrival reflects the surge in client demand for regulatory advice as regulators demand greater transparency and enhanced reporting. We have no doubt that Lorna will be a great addition to the team here in Dublin and across our global network.”

Lorna’s expertise will appeal to the Group’s broad client base, where she will work particularly closely with the Funds & Investment Management, Finance and Dispute Resolution teams, as well as alongside the Data, Commercial and Technology practice. Lorna will support clients in the fintech space with Central Bank of Ireland e-money and payment services authorisation applications and will provide advice to clients on their ongoing regulatory obligations, including remuneration and corporate governance, outsourcing, fitness and probity, anti-money laundering, capital management, and industry-specific conduct of business and investor protection requirements.

Lorna will also help clients manage regulatory engagement, both in a supervisory and enforcement context, and implement new requirements and robust compliance frameworks.

Commenting on her appointment, Lorna Smith said, “I am delighted to join the Maples Group’s leading Financial Services Regulatory practice and I am really looking forward to working with the Regulatory teams across the Group, and bringing my experience to this growing practice as we work to help clients navigate their way through the complexities of global regulatory compliance.”

Lorna’s appointment is part of a long term investment strategy across the Group’s European offices and follows the recent appointments of Claire Morrissey, Partner and head of the Data, Commercial and Technology practice in Ireland, Jean-Dominique Morelli, Tax Partner in Luxembourg and Mark Crichton, Corporate and Finance Partner in Jersey. The Maples Group has a global footprint of 18 offices worldwide and its European offices in Dublin, Jersey, London, Luxembourg and the Netherlands continue to grow year on year. With over 700 of its 2000+ global team members based in the region, it is clear to see the Group’s commitment to expanding its European presence.