MAPLES, ONE of Ireland’s newest law firms, has poached two of the State’s leading financial services lawyers from AL Goodbody.

Barry McGrath and Nollaig Murphy are both partners in AL Goodbody’s financial services practice. Mr McGrath specialises in investment funds and Mr Murphy in structured and leveraged finance.

Maples entered the Irish market in January 2006 through a merger with Binchy’s. They did so with the aim of replicating what the firm had achieved in the Virgin and Cayman Islands. Since then the firm has built up a 110-strong team, and in June Edward Miller, a corporate lawyer with Matheson Ormsby Prentice, joined the firm.

To date, approximately 12 lawyers have left AL Goodbody to join Maples’ Irish practice which is run by former AL Goodbody and Matheson Ormsby Prentice partner Andrew Doyle.

Working with Maples was likely an attractive option for Mr McGrath and Mr Murphy because of its international reach in addition to its strong profitability.

The company offers a wide range of services to its clients, including those offered by Maples Finance, its finance and investment funds administration operation.

Mr McGrath and Mr Murphy would be expected to take home a seven figure sum annually in their new roles with Maples.