Christian Donagh is a partner in the Structured Finance and Derivatives Group at Matheson and is head of the firm's derivatives practice. 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 30 corporate members. Christian is also a member of the Rules Committee of the Irish Stock Exchange and a member of the EMIR working group at Irish Funds.

Christian Donagh is named a MArket Leader.
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".
Chambers Global & Europe 2017

Christian Donagh is named a Leading Lawyer.
IFLR1000 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".
Chambers Global 2016

Christian Donagh is named a Leading Lawyer
IFLR1000 2016

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

Christian Donagh is named a leading lawyer.
IFLR1000 2015

Christian Donagh is described as "very calm when under pressure, commercial in his attitude but also capable of innovative thinking and delivering vehicles that are complex".
Chambers Global & Europe 2014

Head of derivatives Christian Donagh is one of the country's top specialists.
IFLR1000 2014

Christian Donagh is lauded as "a proactive, responsive practitioner who knows our business inside out and provides workable solutions".
Chambers Global 2013

Christian Donagh is praised for his derivatives work.
IFLR1000 2013

Christian Donagh is recognised as a leading lawyer by IFLR1000 and Best Lawyers.