Christian Donagh "is very thorough, proactive and always available to discuss and provide many alternatives".
Chambers Global and Chambers 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.
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.
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" .
Capital Markets: Chambers Global and Europe 2021
Christian Donagh is "personable, very responsive and extremely commercial in his advice and approach to issues".
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."
Capital Markets: Chambers Global and Europe 2019
Recognised for Derivatives
Best Lawyers Ireland 2019 edition
Christian Donagh is "very easy to work with”.
Capital Markets: Chambers Global and Europe 2018
Christian Donagh is named a Market Leader.
Debt Capital Markets: IFLR1000 2018
Recognised for Derivatives.
Best Lawyers Ireland 2018 edition
One client reports "Christian Donagh finds solutions, he is reassuring when things get hectic, and I know I can rely on him".
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."
Capital Markets: Chambers Global & Europe 2016
Christian Donagh is named a Leading Lawyer.
Debt Capital Markets: IFLR1000 2017
Christian Donagh "is very thorough, proactive and always available to discuss and provide many alternatives. He is passionate about what he does".
Capital Markets: Chambers Global & Europe 2015
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)