Brendan O'Brien

Brendan O'Brien

Partner

T +353 1 470 6653
M +353 86 130 4885

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Practice Areas

Brendan is a partner and head of the Walkers' Corporate team in Walkers' office in Ireland.

Brendan has wide-ranging domestic and international transactional experience and advises on a broad range of corporate law matters, including mergers and acquisitions, equity fundraisings, private equity, venture capital, and shareholder / joint venture arrangements. Brendan has experience across a range of sectors and is especially experienced with cross-border M&A in the financial services / aviation sector and with international corporate reorganisations.

Brendan also regularly advises on corporate governance and compliance matters and commercial contract / business matters.
 

Recent transaction highlights include advising:

M&A / Fundraising

  • LCI on a US $230 million joint venture
  • Airborne Capital Limited on its establishment and subsequent debt and equity raise
  • Iceland Seafood International hf (a listed company) on the acquisition of a majority stake in the Oceanpath Seafoods group
  • an international fund administrator on the acquisition of two leading global fund administration businesses
  • the management team on their leveraged buyout of the Extraspace Group, a leading manufacturer of modular buildings
  • the sole shareholder on the sale of a leading Irish fashion retailer
  • a leading international corporate travel business on its first investment in the Irish market
  • an Irish data recovery business on an equity fundraising and implementing its buy and build strategy
  • several domestic start-ups on initial fundraising rounds
Restructuring / Corporate Governance

  • Halma plc (a FTSE100 company) on several corporate restructurings
  • an international medical device business on the Irish aspects of its corporate restructuring
  • an international auctioneering business on the Irish aspects of its corporate restructuring
  • multiple aircraft leasing platforms on their Irish corporate requirements
  • multiple international companies establishing themselves in Ireland

Prior Employment Experience

Before joining Walkers in 2015, Brendan worked in the corporate finance group of a leading law firm in Dublin. During this time he completed a secondment with one of Ireland's largest utility companies and later with a global insurance company where he managed the successful completion of several cross-border merger transactions.

Admitted in & Qualifications

Admitted In:
England and Wales (not practising)
Ireland

Qualifications:
BCL, University College Dublin
LLM (Commercial Law), University College London

Other Distinctions

2022 IFLR 1000 (32nd Edition) - "He is a truly exceptional lawyer. His technical skills are rivalled only by his ability to communicate. He is able to drive a transaction forward and manage his team in a manner that keeps everyone motivated and focused. This translates to an excellent service and an unparalleled buying experience. The service he delivers is second to none and he remains an absolute pleasure to deal with – even under extreme pressure."

2021 IFLR 1000 (31st Edition) - Highly Regarded - "Very experienced and knowledgeable. Provides excellent advice and customer service and has built a very strong team around him."

"Brendan is particularly strong advising on corporate matters within the FS space. His team has a strong and growing reputation."

2021 Legal 500 - Next Generation Partner and Recommended Lawyer (Commercial, corporate and M&A) - "Brendan O’Brien is very experienced and pragmatic in all dealings. He knows the Irish market very well and has excellent contacts."

2020 Legal 500 - Next Generation Partner and Recommended Lawyer (Commercial, Corporate and M&A) - ‘Brendan O’Brien is a real rising star. His all-round knowledge and commercial acumen are truly impressive.’

2020 IFLR 1000 - Leading Lawyer and Highly Regarded

2019 Legal 500 - Recommended Lawyer - 'Excellent practitioner and adviser' 

2019 IFLR 1000- Highly Regarded:

"Brendan O'Brien provides a fantastic service. He is responsive and commercial. A pleasure to deal with." 

2018 Legal 500 - Recommended Lawyer: "Brendan O’Brien stands out for his ‘professionalism and business acumen’."

2018 IFLR 1000 - Rising Star:

  • “Extremely professional. Superb contract and industry knowledge and very committed.”
  • “Really professional and always accessible. Has really good attention to detail and is very commercial.”
  • “Extremely professional, friendly and straightforward to deal with.”

2017 Legal 500 - Recommended Lawyer: "Brendan O'Brien is a 'consummate professional'."

Boards & Associations

Member of the Law Society of Ireland

Member of the Law Society of England and Wales (not practising)

Member of the Dublin Solicitors Bar Association

News, Matters and Publications

MATTERS
NEWS
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Extremely professional. Superb contract and industry knowledge and very committed.

IFLR1000

Team Members

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