Linklaters, Akin Gump, and Walkers Global advised on Bank of Ireland’s €2 Billion strategic partnership with Kennedy Lewis.

Bank of Ireland entered into a strategic partnership with Kennedy Lewis, a U.S.-based multi-strategy private credit manager with over $32 billion in assets under management, to originate and deploy financing solutions for European mid-market leveraged buyouts. Kennedy Lewis committed €2 billion to support the partnership over the next three years. The initiative combines Bank of Ireland’s established European leveraged finance platform, operating from Dublin, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, and Paris, with Kennedy Lewis’ flexible capital base and U.S. direct lending expertise. The partnership delivers tailored financing solutions to mid-market private equity sponsors across bilateral, club, and syndicated loan structures.

Linklaters advised Bank of Ireland on the partnership. The team was led by Structured Finance Partner Lucy Sidey, supported by Associate Yousef Eltantawy.

Akin advised Kennedy Lewis on the partnership, including structuring, documentation, and tax aspects.

The team was led by international Corporate Partners Kevin Gilroy and Amy Kennedy, with support from international corporate Counsel Matteo Lissana and Henry Davall, Trainee Solicitor Isha Thakrar, Tax Partners Matthew Durward‑Thomas and Ryan Dahan, and Tax Counsel Tim Higgins.

Walkers Global also advised Kennedy Lewis, providing multi-disciplinary support across investment funds, finance & capital markets, tax, and regulatory matters.

The team included Partners Aongus McCarthy (Investment Funds), Nicholas Blake-Knox (Investment Funds), Paddy Rath (Finance & Capital Markets), and Padhraic Mulpeter (Tax), with support from Clare Mannion (Finance & Capital Markets), Kate Kenneally (Investment Funds), Aengus Gormley (Investment Funds), Niall Esler (Regulatory & Risk Advisory), and Shane Martin (Regulatory & Risk Advisory).