Stephen Ahern is a senior associate in A&L Goodbody's Restructuring & Insolvency group. Stephen is experienced in all aspects of business restructuring and insolvency and focuses on complex, cross-border restructurings. He has expertise in the design and implementation of complex schemes of arrangement, cross-border restructurings and formal insolvency procedures.
From 2020 to 2025, Stephen has been recognised as a leading associate by various legal directories including Legal 500 and IFLR1000, in the area of Restructuring & Insolvency.
Areas of Expertise
Restructuring & Insolvency
Experience Advising:
- Endo International plc on its scheme of arrangement before the High Court, giving effect as a matter of Irish law, to Endo’s mass tort restructuring by way of a US Chapter 11 Plan.
- Kieran Wallace and Andrew O’Leary of Interpath Advisory as Joint Examiners of Cityjet DAC.
- Ambac Assurance Limited as key architects of the Irish Scheme of Arrangement of Ballantyne Re plc on an Irish law scheme of arrangement to restructure US$1.6bn of New York law governed notes issued by Ballantyne Re (recognised in the US under Chapter 15 of the Bankruptcy Code).
- An Ad Hoc Committee of secured lenders in the context of the 2020 Irish Scheme of Arrangement of Nordic Aviation DAC (recognised in the US under Chapter 15 of the Bankruptcy Code) and again in the 2021 Chapter 11 of the NAC group.
- Voyager Aviation Management Ireland in relation to its liability management exercise involving the restructuring of c. US$415m of senior notes issued by Voyager Aviation Holdings, LLC, implemented through a US Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation but with contingency planning for an Irish scheme of arrangement implementation option.
- Various creditors and lessors in the Irish Examinership of Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA (recognised in the US under Chapter 15 of the Bankruptcy Code).
- PwC as administrators of Elite Insurance Company Limited (a Gibraltar Company) in respect of a potential application seeking orders permitting payment out of the Irish Insurance Compensation Fund.
- Waypoint Leasing Holdings Limited and its Irish subsidiaries in the sale of substantially all of the Waypoint group’s assets under section 363 of the US Bankruptcy Code.
- EY as the receivers of companies within the Spencer Dock Development.
- Kieran Wallace and Eamonn Richardson, the Special Liquidators of IBRC on all aspects of the liquidation (recognised in the US under Chapter 15 of the Bankruptcy Code).
Market Recommendations
"Stephen Ahern - strong, capable lawyer, with a clear communication style.” (Legal 500 2025)
“Stephen Ahern - deep knowledge of his craft, client focused and brilliant document drafter.” (Legal 500 2025)
"Really good lawyer building his experience and very good client skills." (IFLR1000 2024)
"Top of his game and always willing to listen to and hear his clients." (Legal 500 2024)
Education
- Masters in Business of Law, Smurfit Business School
- LLB, University College Cork
- BCL, University College Cork
Stephen Ahern
Senior
Associate,
Restructuring & Insolvency
Dublin