Sarah Francis

Sarah is a partner of Maples and Calder’s Banking and Finance team in the Maples Group’s Dublin office. Sarah has extensive experience advising on domestic and cross-border banking transactions. Sarah’s practice focuses on advising lenders and borrowers in relation to corporate debt facilities, acquisition financing, real estate financing (investment and development), fund financing and debt restructurings.

Sarah was elected as a partner in 2016. Prior to joining the Maples Group, she worked in the banking team at Allen & Overy in London and Addleshaw Goddard in Manchester.

The Legal 500 2021 has named Sarah a ‘Next Generation Partner’ and clients describe Sarah as “extremely practical, responsive and pleasant to deal with. She guided us through a challenging transaction in a pragmatic manner, going above and beyond to complete under a tight deadline. I would have no hesitation in recommending her and look forward to working with her again“.

IFLR 2021 has ranked Sarah as ‘Highly Regarded’ and clients attest that Sarah is “Very clear communication, technically very strong and very personable”, “Professional, timely and knowledgeable” and “Excellent project management skills, customer service, attention to detail, responsiveness, knowledge of their field and communication”

From 2022 – 2024, Sarah has been recognised as an IFLR1000 Women Leaders. Partners from the firm’s Banking, Finance and Corporate practices in Dubai, the Cayman Islands and Ireland were recognised in the elite ranking category reserved for the most prominent female lawyers across the world.

In Chambers Europe 2021, clients report that Sarah is “really commercial” and note her ability to give “sensible, commercial advice“. She attracts further praise for her direct involvement in matters. Her broad practice encompasses real estate development finance, acquisition finance and loan-on-loan facilities.

In 2022, Chambers Global reported that Sarah has a broad practice which encompasses a wealth of acquisition finance and development finance matters. An interviewee states: “She is fantastic: very responsive, timely and provides commercial advice with an awareness of what banks want to see in a transaction.”