EY Law Ireland has appointed Cormac Gilroy to lead its newly established Banking and Finance practice, a strategic expansion into a core sector for the multidisciplinary professional services firm. The appointment reflects EY Law Ireland's commitment to building specialist capabilities in financing advice as it continues to penetrate the Irish legal market with its integrated legal, tax and advisory model. Gilroy, who brings over 10 years of experience in banking and finance matters, will be based in EY's Cork office and will advise banks, alternative finance providers, corporate borrowers, investors, regulators and sponsors on a broad range of financing transactions.
Alan Murphy, partner and head of law at EY Law Ireland, said the firm is delighted to welcome Gilroy, noting that his experience and commercial insight will be invaluable as EY Law Ireland establishes and grows its Banking and Finance practice while continuing to support clients on increasingly complex transactions. The creation of the banking and finance practice reflects EY Law Ireland's commitment to investing in new service offerings while strengthening its existing practice areas. Gilroy said he is pleased to join EY Law Ireland at an exciting time, citing the firm's combined legal, tax and advisory capabilities as providing a compelling offering to clients. No executive search firm involvement in the appointment has been disclosed.
Gilroy brings a mixed background of private practice and in-house legal experience. He was previously a senior associate in the Finance and Capital Markets Group at Matheson, one of Ireland's oldest and largest law firms, where he represented a large number of leading domestic and international banks and non-bank lenders on bilateral and syndicated facilities with particular expertise in real estate and development finance. More recently, Gilroy served as legal counsel for Evara Ireland, a real estate company focused on property development and construction with a portfolio of residential and commercial projects. His specialist knowledge encompasses the structuring, negotiation and execution of complex financings, including property and project financings and restructurings.
EY Law Ireland is a regulated, independent law firm and member of the Ernst and Young global legal network. The firm operates as a distinct entity within EY's multidisciplinary structure, offering clients a one-stop-shop approach that integrates legal services with tax and advisory expertise. EY Law Ireland positions itself as a market disruptor in Ireland, differentiating itself from traditional siloed law firms through its ability to combine local knowledge with access to a global network of over 3,400 legal professionals across more than 90 jurisdictions. The firm has invested significantly in technology and digital tools to support client delivery and has pursued strategic hires of experienced practitioners from leading Irish law firms.
The appointment of a dedicated banking and finance practice leader appears strategically timed as Irish banks and financial institutions navigate an environment of regulatory complexity, rising interest rates and evolving credit markets. Gilroy's background at Matheson, which ranks among the most prominent finance law practices in Ireland and advises a substantial portion of the country's banking sector, positions him to establish credibility and client relationships in a competitive market segment. EY Law Ireland's investment in this practice area suggests confidence in the firm's ability to win mandates by bundling legal advice with EY's broader financial advisory, tax and accounting capabilities. The appointment also reflects a broader pattern of EY Law Ireland recruiting established lawyers from traditional Irish firms to build sector-specific practices and challenge the traditional law firm model.
