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Aviation specialist joins Maples Group as partner

Maples and Calder (Ireland) LLP has announced that Stephen Gardiner has joined the firm as a partner in its asset-finance practice.

The firm describes Gardiner as a highly regarded advisor with 15 years’ experience in the aviation-leasing and finance sector in Ireland.

A licensed private pilot with a technical knowledge of aircraft, his practice ranges from corporate structuring and the establishment of aviation-related corporate platforms in Ireland, to advising on aircraft financing, trading, and leasing transactions, as well as aviation regulation.

Gardiner will work closely with the Dublin finance practice, led by Stephen McLoughlin, and in conjunction with Mary O’Neill to further develop the firm’s Irish asset-finance practice.

‘Exceptional growth’

The wider Maples Group's global asset-finance team comprises lawyers and industry professionals strategically based in key jurisdictions and locations – including Dublin, London, Singapore, Luxembourg, Dubai, Hong Kong, Delaware, the Cayman Islands, and the British Virgin Islands.

Peter Stapleton (Ireland managing partner) said that the new partner was joining the asset-finance team at a time of growth that included recent internal promotions, recognition, and accolades for our team members and awards for client deals.

Stephen McLoughlin (head of finance in Ireland) said that Maples Group was continuing to expand its European finance practice to meet growing client demand for asset-finance, banking, and structured-finance advice.

Maples says that its Dublin office, which now employs 500 people, has appointed several senior lawyers over the last 12 months after a period of “exceptional growth” at the firm, and in response to increasing demands for Irish legal services from new and existing international clients.