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Christian Donagh "is very thorough, proactive and always available to discuss and provide many alternatives".

Chambers Global and Europe

Expertise

Christian Donagh is a partner in the Finance and Capital Markets Department at Matheson and is head of the firm's Derivatives, Netting and Collateral Group. Christian's practice focuses on advising asset managers and investment banks doing business in and from Ireland in relation to securitisations, CLOs, fund-linked structured products, repackagings, securities lending and repos. Christian regularly advises Irish corporates and their counterparties in relation to ISDA master agreements and collateral arrangements relating to over-the-counter derivatives transactions such as interest rate and currency linked swaps, caps and collars and on compliance with EMIR. Frequently, the firm provides legal opinions on issues relating to the enforceability of close-out netting provisions and collateral arrangements documented using industry standard or bespoke derivatives, repo and prime brokerage documentation.

Christian qualified as a solicitor with Allen & Overy in 2000 and spent several years in each of its London and Hong Kong offices. Christian joined Matheson in 2006 and became a partner in 2007.

Christian co-chairs the Legal Committee of the Irish Debt Securities Association (IDSA) and is a former chairperson of IDSA. The IDSA is an industry organisation promoting and developing Ireland as a location for activities to support the global securitisation, structured finance, debt securities and specialist securities industries with over 35 corporate members. Christian is also a member of the Rules Committee of Euronext, Dublin.

Experience Highlights

Christian's experience includes:

  • Helped to establish and served as chairperson of the Irish Debt Securities Association (IDSA).  The IDSA is an industry organisation formed to promote and develop Ireland as a location for activities to support the global structured finance, debt securities and specialist securities industries. Currently, Christian co-chairs the law firm members’ committee within IDSA.
  • Christian is a member of the Rules Committee of Euronext, Dublin.
Accolades

Christian Donagh is named Market Leader
Debt Capital Markets: IFLR1000 2024

Christian Donagh is named Leading Individual
Debt Capital Markets: The European Legal 500 2024

Christian Donagh is named Market Leader
Debt Capital Markets: The European Legal 500 2023

Christian Donagh is named Leading Individual
Debt Capital Markets: The European Legal 500 2023

Christian Donagh is a "Highly experienced lawyer"
Banking & Finance: Chambers Global and Europe 2022

Christian Donagh "provides an exceptional service with turnaround times that are second to none. Responsiveness, knowledge and expertise are his standout qualities".
Debt Capital Markets: The European Legal 500 2021

Christian Donagh "is very experienced in DCM and derivatives, and he is heavily involved in industry bodies" .
Debt Capital Markets: Chambers Global and Europe 2021 

Christian Donagh is "personable, very responsive and extremely commercial in his advice and approach to issues".
Debt Capital Markets: Chambers Global and Europe 2020

Christian Donagh has a strong track record for notes issues and CLO transactions, and also assists with Islamic financing matters. According to one client, he has "a huge amount of experience and has an exceptional network."
Debt Capital Markets: Chambers Global and Europe 2019

Recognised for Derivatives
Best Lawyers Ireland 2019

Christian Donagh is "very easy to work with”.
Capital Markets: Chambers Global and Europe 2018

Christian Donagh is named a Market Leader.
Debt Capital MarketsIFLR1000 2018

Recognised for Derivatives.
Best Lawyers Ireland 2018

One client reports "Christian Donagh finds solutions, he is reassuring when things get hectic, and I know I can rely on him".
Debt Capital Markets: Chambers Global and Europe 2017

Clients appreciate Christian Donagh for "taking the initiative to go further than simply delivering what we ask - he sees other areas he can help in addition to taking the solid approach you would expect."
Debt Capital Markets: Chambers Global and Europe 2016

Christian Donagh is named a Leading Lawyer.
Debt Capital MarketsIFLR1000 2017

Christian Donagh "is very thorough, proactive and always available to discuss and provide many alternatives. He is passionate about what he does".
Debt Capital Markets: Chambers Global and Europe 2015

Education

Qualified as a solicitor in Ireland

Qualified as a solicitor in Hong Kong (non-practising)

Qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales (non-practising)

University of Hong Kong (PCLL, Postgraduate Certificate of Laws)

University College Dublin (LLM in Commercial Law)

University College Dublin and DePaul University Law School, US (BCL International)