Maples Group Wins Two European Women in Business Law Awards 2021

Maples and Calder (Ireland) LLP, the Maples Group's law firm, is pleased to announce that two of its Irish Finance lawyers received awards at the Euromoney Women in Business Law Awards 2021.

Donna Ager was the winner of the 'Aviation Lawyer of the Year' award and Vanessa Lawlor won the 'Finance Rising Star' award at the ceremony.  Deirdre McIlvenna, Partner in the Funds & Investment Management team was also shortlisted in the 'Investment Funds Lawyer of the Year' category.

Commenting on the award-wins, Ireland Managing Partner, Nicholas Butcher said, "Donna, Vanessa and Deirdre are exceptionally talented lawyers and it was fantastic to see them being recognised at these prestigious European awards.  It has been a pleasure to witness their progression over the past number of years, and to see them play such an active role in encouraging the growth and representation of women working in finance and funds law."

About the Winners

Donna Ager, Partner

Donna is Head of Maples and Calder's European Aviation team and leads the global Irish law Asset Finance practice.  She advises clients on tax-efficient leasing and financing structures, including investor funds and capital markets, in addition to leasing platform establishments and transportation business acquisitions and disposals with a focus on aviation, an area where she has specialised for over 15 years. Donna has been praised by clients for her commerciality, industry knowledge and pragmatic approach.

Vanessa Lawlor, Of Counsel

Vanessa was promoted to Of Counsel in the Banking and Finance practice in January 2021, having joined the firm in 2016.  Vanessa has extensive experience advising a broad spectrum of Irish and international lenders and borrowers (trading companies, SPVs, funds, partnerships) on a range of domestic and cross-border finance transactions including, Acquisition & Leveraged Finance, Real Estate Finance (Investment and Development) and Fund Finance with a particular focus on subscription line financings for early stage Irish funds.

The Euromoney Women in Business awards aim to honour women at the forefront of legal work in business law and champion those who have encouraged the growth of women talent in their countries and globally.

The European Women in Business Awards were presented virtually on Thursday, 24 June 2021.