Our people

John Maher

Legal Director, Financial Regulation
Ireland

Expertise

John is a Legal Director in our Financial Regulation group within our Corporate & Commercial department. John has recently joined the Firm having had extensive in-house experience in Financial Services.

Previously as in-house legal counsel with Barclays Bank in both the UK and Ireland, John brings that in-house perspective with him. He was part of the Barclays Brexit Legal Team advising on the Barclays Bank Ireland PLC licence extension and client novation.

As in-house legal counsel for Barclays Bank Ireland PLC, he advised as a country coverage lawyer specialising in financial services regulation. He advised on all regulatory maters that governed the Bank's affairs. From ESG to resolution planning. He was also instrumental in establishing and implementing the Individual Accountability Framework and the Senior Executive Accountability Regime within Barclays Bank Ireland PLC.

Since joining Addleshaw Goddard LLP John has been assisting with a large US payments institution authorisation and has been appointed as the military legal consultant on a recent successful tender bid with the UK Ministry of Defence. He is currently establishing an Individual Accountability Framework offering for the Addleshaw Goddard Dublin Office.

Prior to his career in Financial Services, John was a Military Lawyer for the UK Government where he worked closely with the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

John holds three Masters Degrees from King's College London and Dublin City University.

Experience

Provided legal advice and guidance pertaining to the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive specifically in relation to bail-in and resolution stays. Was instrumental in establishing the notification process for the Central Bank of Ireland/Single Resolution Board in relation to impracticability.
Legal Counsel for the Barclays Europe registration with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. This involved advising on the transfer of personal data of BBI board members and senior staff to a US regulator.
Implemented the Individual Accountability Framework within Barclays Europe. Ensured that draft Statements of Responsibility were accurate. Reviewed and drafted Firm policy manuals and documentation so that Conduct Standards were embedded within the Firm's culture and conduct.
A member of Barclays Bank Strategy and Structures Team (Brexit Legal Team) that successfully navigated Barclays through establishing Dublin as their post-Brexit EU headquarters. Ensured that all European clients were transferred via a Part VII arrangement under the Financial Services and Markets Act. The Team was also responsible for transferring all European branches of Barclays to the Irish entity.
Crown Prosecutor for the Service Prosecuting Authority. Successfully prosecuted several criminal cases at Court Martial. Served as a Military Lawyer in Iraq and Afghanistan with the British Army.

Education

Master of Arts in European Union Law – King’s College London (Distinction, 2016)
Master in Laws (LLM) – King’s College London (Distinction, 2015)
Postgraduate Diplomas in Law and Legal Practice – The College of Law (Pass, 2002/3)
Master of Arts in International Relations – Dublin City University (Merit, 2001)
Bachelor of Business Studies – Dublin City University (2.1 Hons, 1999)