Orla O’Connor

Partner | Dublin

Ten Earlsfort Terrace
Dublin 2
D02 T380
Ireland

Orla is a partner in the Finance Department and Chair of the firm. She has led on numerous financing and restructuring transactions both for banks and borrowers across all asset classes and on some of the most high profile financial services M&A transactions in the Irish market.

Orla is also a member of the firm’s Financial Regulatory Group and advises on bank reorganisations and on a wide range of regulatory issues relating to payments, electronic money, anti-money laundering, mortgage arrears and consumer credit. She has also advised a range of banks, private equity firms and servicers expanding and restructuring their operations on regulatory, licensing and other legal issues and on their interactions with the Central Bank. She has advised on a wide range of bank asset disposals by both Irish and international banks operating in Ireland as part of their deleveraging strategies.

In 2022, Orla was recognised as one of IFLR1000 Women Leaders and she is ranked as a Legal 500 Leading Individual (2021); Chambers Eminent Practitioner (2021) and IFLR1000 Expert Consultant (2022).

Relevant Experience

Advised Permanent TSB plc (PTSB) on the acquisition of certain elements of the Ulster Bank Ireland DAC (Ulster Bank) retail, SME and asset finance businesses
Advised Apollo Capital Management on a range of bids, acquisitions and servicing arrangements in the Irish market and on the related restructuring and financing arrangements
Advised Bain Capital on a range of financing and loan asset purchases in the Irish market
Advised Lloyds Banking Group on its Irish loan portfolio disposals
Advised Elliott Capital on a range of asset purchases in the Irish market
Advised Goldman Sachs on the licencing of a range of portfolio companies and relating outsourcing arrangements
Advised Cabot Ireland on various servicing arrangements
Advised Balmoral International Land plc on its financing arrangements
Advising a broad range of banks, regulated firms and servicers on financial regulatory issues including anti-money laundering and financial sanctions compliance, consumer credit issues, review of policies and procedures, customer documentation and customer correspondence to ensure compliance with consumer legislation and the Consumer Protection Code, SME Code and Mortgage Arrears Code

Endorsements

Orla O’Connor has an “excellent strategic approach to the management of the assignment, reflecting her deep experience. She gives detailed, comprehensive, and practical advice. She has an enthusiastic and very competent team working for her, very approachable and pleasant to deal with.”

IFLR1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms, 2022

Orla O’Connor is “practical, commercially minded and responsive.”

Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2021

Orla O’Connor is recognised as a “Leading Individual.”

The Legal 500: Europe, Middle East & Africa, 2020

Orla O’Connor is “very knowledgeable, practical and reasonable.”

Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2019

“For things outside the everyday, [Orla O’Connor] can help with unusual queries.”
Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2017

Education & Qualifications

Diploma in Business Finance, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School (2022)
Diploma in Corporate Governance, The Corporate Governance Institute (2021)
Diploma in Organisational Behaviour, Irish Management Institute (2018)
BCL, 1991, Oxford University
LL B, 1990, Trinity College Dublin
Admitted as a solicitor in Ireland, 1995
Associate of Institute of Taxation in Ireland
Deloitte & 30% Club Ireland Board Ready Programme (2022)