McCann FitzGerald has established the role of chair with the appointment of Catherine Deane as its first Chair. Ms Deane will begin her four-year term on 1 November 2019.

Aviation expertise

Ms Deane is an aviation finance expert, with over 25 years’ experience of advising the world’s largest aircraft lessors and financiers, and has been a partner in the firm since 1992. “The creation of the role of Chair of the partnership is an exciting development for the firm and one that we believe adds significant strength to the firm’s leadership. This new role puts us in the best position to continue to grow our business and meet the challenges that undoubtedly lie ahead in the fast and ever-evolving legal markets in which we and our clients operate” said Barry Devereux, McCann FitzGerald’s managing partner. “I’m delighted that Catherine will take up this key leadership position. I have no doubt that her extensive professional expertise will ensure we continue to put our clients at the heart of all that we do in the firm.” Commenting on her appointment, Ms Deane said “I am honoured to be appointed by my partners to this new role. I am excited and energized by the challenges that the role presents and look forward to facing those challenges, whilst continuing to advise our global aviation clients on their deals.” 

Academic benefactors

Trinity College Dublin has inscribed McCann FitzGerald law firm on the benefactors’ frieze that adorns the entry to the University’s dining hall. This is Trinity’s permanent and public testament to the generosity of individuals, groups and corporations who have given truly exceptional support to the University through the centuries. The inscription was unveiled at a celebration of McCann FitzGerald’s decade-long support of Trinity and the firm’s recent commitment to support the new Trinity Law School building. Many Trinity law graduates have built successful careers within McCann FitzGerald, and over the course of the last decade, the firm has deepened its engagement with Trinity by supporting access, diversity and law through initiatives including TCPID, the Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities, which aims to promote the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in education and society. A graduate of TCPID has recently been employed at McCann FitzGerald. The firm also sponsors the McCann FitzGerald Chair of Corporate Law, held by Professor Blanaid Clarke since 2012.