Maples Group Partners Win at European Women in Business Law Awards 2022

Maples and Calder (Ireland) LLP, the Maples Group's law firm, is pleased to announce that two of its Partners received awards at the Euromoney Women in Business Law Awards 2022. The awards, which were hosted in London on 23 June, honour women across the European legal sector and law firms that have produced initiatives and programmes to support and encourage women and diversity within the industry.

Eimear O'Dwyer, Partner and co-head of the Irish Funds & Investment Management practice was named 'Investment Funds Lawyer of the Year' and Lorna Smith, Financial Services Regulatory Partner was named 'Financial Regulation Lawyer of the Year'.

Commenting on the award-wins, Peter Stapleton, Ireland Managing Partner said, "We congratulate Lorna and Eimear on receiving these prestigious awards which are a testament to their exceptional hard work and expertise within their practice groups in Ireland and across our global firm. As senior leaders within the firm, they both play instrumental roles in developing their respective practices including guiding and mentoring our trainees and associates as they begin their legal careers."

Eimear and Lorna's accolades continues a strong run of success for the international law firm in Ireland with senior female lawyers consistently recognised for their excellence across several innovative practice areas. Earlier this year, Elizabeth Bradley and Sarah Francis were recognised at the IFLR1000 Women Leaders 2022 awards and last year, Donna Ager was named 'Aviation Lawyer of the Year' while Vanessa Lawlor won the 'Finance Rising Star' award at the Euromoney Women in Business Law Awards 2021.

About the Winners

Lorna Smith, Partner

Lorna has over 10 years' experience in financial services regulation, and in addition to more traditional industries like banking, insurance and investment services, Lorna’s practice also focuses on growth sectors such as fintech, alternative lending and sustainable finance. She guides new financial institutions establishing in Ireland, across all industry sectors including MiFID investment firms and fund service providers, banks, insurers, e-money and payment firms, and credit servicing and retail credit firms. She also regularly advises on the transfer of regulated businesses, including regulatory due diligence.

Eimear O'Dwyer, Partner

Eimear is co-head of the Irish Funds & Investment Management team. She specialises in the structuring of UCITS and AIFs as ICAVs, ILPs and 1907 Limited Partnerships. She advises a wide variety of managers, investment banks and private equity managers across a broad range of asset classes including distressed situation funds, private debt and credit funds, loan origination, hedge funds, fund of funds, master feeders, managed account platforms and bespoke structures. Eimear also advises on the establishment, ongoing operation and regulation of Irish MiFID firms, UCITS management companies, AIFMs and Super ManCos.