William Glaister is a “pre-eminent name” in the international aviation market who stands out as an “experienced and knowledgeable” finance specialist.
Paul Carrington is a “very experienced” lawyer who is adept at advising financiers, operators and owners in the aviation sector.
The “experienced” Ranbir Hunjan has over 20 years of involvement in financing law and regularly acts for lenders in the transport sector.
Vadim Turtsev is a star in the market who draws praise from peers and clients alike for his work on high-profile aircraft financing transactions.

Norton Rose Fulbright

The internationally renowned Duncan Batchelor stands out for his wealth of experience in aircraft financing matters and acts for high-profile airlines on the sale and purchase of aircraft.
With over 35 years’ experience, Simon Chamberlain is widely regarded as a “very knowledgeable and experienced” practitioner in the aviation sector.

Clyde & Co

The “brilliant” Mark Bisset has an “excellent reputation in the private jets sphere” and excels at loan and lease financing.
Robert Lawson QC is renowned in the aviation sector and has established a strong reputation for his impressive handling of related commercial disputes.
Maylis Casati-Ollier is recognised for her deep expertise in aviation law, where she specialises in leasing, asset portfolio sales and purchasing.

Milbank

James Cameron is a renowned practitioner in the international aviation market who stands out for his “excellent client base”.
Nick Swinburne is an “experienced and knowledgeable lawyer” who comes highly recommended for his expertise in advising financiers, investors and operators on aircraft transactions.
Richard Walton is a “very experienced” practitioner who regularly acts for clients on national and cross-border transactions in the aviation industry.

Blum&Grob Attorneys at Law

Hans-Ruedi Grob is an “excellent” lawyer who assists major airlines and business jet operators in aircraft financing and purchasing matters.
Finance specialist Philippe Wenker impresses market commentators with his extensive expertise in, and technical knowledge of, the aviation industry.

DLA Piper

Richard Skipper is “building an excellent reputation” in the aviation finance market and is distinguished as “very likeable” and a “very diligent lawyer”.
António Moura Portugal is an “excellent” aviation lawyer and is widely commended for his work on related finance and tax matters.

Other Leading Individuals

Denmark

Morten Hans Jakobsen of Gorrissen Federspiel is renowned for his excellence in aviation matters and is widely regarded as an “excellent and experienced” practitioner.

England

From Dentons, Serge Sergiou stands out as an “experienced and knowledgeable” practitioner who regularly acts for airlines, both domestically and internationally.

At Holland & Knight, Robert Ricketts comes highly recommended for his wealth of experience in aviation law and “great knowledge” of related financings and regulatory issues.

Mark Moody at Winston & Strawn is a “highly experienced” lawyer, singled out among peers as “very knowledgeable” of aircraft financings and related transactions.

At Allen & Overy, Mario Jacovides enjoys “a great reputation” in the aviation sector, where he is “well thought of” for his expertise in leasing transactions.

Ireland

At A&L Goodbody, sources heap praise on Catherine Duffy, describing her as a “very knowledgeable and experienced” asset finance lawyer, with extensive expertise in transactions relating to aircraft portfolios.
Séamus Ó Cróinín is regarded as “one of the top lawyers in Ireland” as a result of his outstanding work advising aircraft lessors on complex financings.

McCann Fitzgerald’s Hilary Marren impresses with her remarkable facility for providing effective advice to clients on portfolio acquisitions and disposals, and cross-border financings in the aviation sector.
Catherine Deane is an established figure in the European market and draws plaudits for the excellent advisory work she provides for aircraft lessors and lenders on financings.

Italy

The “experienced and knowledgeable” Laura Pierallini of Studio Pierallini is a well-known figure in Italian aviation, applauded for her experience in acting for airlines, airports and travel agents.

Switzerland

Zulauf Bürgi Partners’ Ronald Kessler is a leading name in the European market, recommended for his significant experience in aviation law and related financings.

North America and the Caribbean

Global Elite Thought Leaders

Donald Gray - Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Toronto
Mark Lessard - Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, New York
Jason Piney - Conyers Dill & Pearman Limited, Bermuda
John Pritchard - Holland & Knight LLP, New York
Michael W Smith – White & Case LLP, New York

Leading Firms

Holland & Knight

With over 25 years of experience, John Pritchard stands out as an internationally renowned lawyer with extensive expertise in all areas of asset-based financing.
William Piels is as an “excellent lawyer” who draws on over 25 years of experience to assist clients in aircraft lease and financing transactions.
Fred Bass is recognised for his work covering a wide array of aviation finance matters, with particular expertise in the financing and leasing of aircraft.
Phillip Durham wins high praise from peers and clients alike who commend his “great knowledge of aviation finance” matters.

Conyers Dill & Pearman

Jason Piney is highly sought after by clients in the aviation sector due to his deep expertise in aircraft financing and portfolio-related transactions.
Sources single out Julie McLean, commenting how she always “does a great job” and regularly displays her expertise in refinancing transactions in the aviation industry.
The “excellent” Stephen Rossiter has over 25 years of experience in aircraft finance where he has built a great reputation among market commentators.
Finance specialist Matthew Stocker has deep experience of providing top-tier advice relating to the financing and registration of aircrafts.

Other Leading Individuals

Canada

From Blake, Cassels & Graydon, Donald Gray leads the firm’s aviation group and comes highly recommended for the expert advice he gives to aircraft lessors, financiers and international airlines.

USA

The internationally renowned Mark Lessard of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman stands out as a “star” in the market for his profound expertise in cross-border aviation financing.

Michael Smith from White & Case draws praise from peers and clients alike as a “very experienced” aviation expert with significant expertise in the financings of aircraft.

Helfried Schwarz of Milbank wins high praise from sources who applaud his in-depth knowledge of aircraft acquisitions, dispositions and portfolios.
Drew Fine is adept at both financing and aviation law and is held in high regard for his excellent practice.

Vedder Price’s Jeffrey Veber is a well-respected practitioner who gains plaudits for his first-class commercial aviation practice.

Sources hold James Tussing of Norton Rose Fulbright in high regard as a result of his wealth of experience in representing airlines in finance and lease transactions.

At Smith Gambrell & Russell, Joshua Gentner is regarded as a “phenomenal lawyer” who “understands local aviation laws across multiple jurisdictions in the Americas” and “is “very well respected and level headed”.

Latin America

Global Elite Thought Leaders

Kenneth Basch - Basch & Rameh, São Paulo
Elizabeth Mireya Freidenberg - Freidenberg, Freidenberg & Lifsic, Buenos Aires
Maria Regina Mangabeira Albernaz Lynch - Motta Fernandes Advogados, São Paulo
Carlos Sierra - Abogados Sierra, Mexico City

Leading Individuals

Argentina

The internationally renowned Elizabeth Mireya Freidenberg of Freidenberg, Freidenberg & Lifsic is a leading name in the aviation market and excels across a wide array of related financings and high-value transactions.

Brazil

Basch & Rameh’s Kenneth Basch is “one of the best” in the market and is both “experienced and knowledgeable” and “provides excellent practical advice”.

Maria Regina Mangabeira Albernaz Lynch of Motta Fernandes Advogados is recognised for her extensive experience and deep knowledge of the sale and financing of aircrafts.

Fabio Falkenburger at Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados stands out as a “very good lawyer with lots of experience” and is certainly “one of the top lawyers in the country in this field”.

From Bernardi & Schnapp Advogados, Ricardo Bernardi is highlighted as a “knowledgeable and experienced” aviation lawyer and is “one of the best”.

Adriana Simões of Mattos Filho Veiga Filho Marrey Jr e Quiroga Advogados is “very calm in conducting negotiations”, “has good skills working in a team” and “has a lot of experience in the area of aviation”.

Chile

Prat & Cia’s Francisco Prat is “extremely knowledgeable both on the legal and commercial sides of the aviation industry”, and regularly handles complex leasing agreements in Chile.

Colombia

José Elías Del Hierro Hoyos of Del Hierro Abogados is a “well-known” name in the aviation market and has extensive expertise on an array of financing issues.

Costa Rica

Alina Nassar of Nassar Abogados is a respected international aviation lawyer who is applauded by peers for her outstanding work advising on aircraft financing transactions.

Ecuador

With over 25 years of experience, Xavier Rosales of CorralRosales is singled out among peers thank to his excellence in aviation finance.

Mexico

Carlos Sierra at Abogados Sierra is a leading light in the aviation sector, distinguished by sources for his extensive expertise in high-value financing transactions.

Panama

María de Lourdes Marengo of Patton Moreno & Asvat is an “awesome” practitioner who excels at advising financial institutions, owners and aircraft lessors in financing issues.

Paraguay

From Guanes Heisecke & Piera, Alejandro Piera Valdés is highly sought after by clients for his adept handling of sophisticated financings and transactions across the aviation sector.

Peru

Fernando Hurtado de Mendoza of Kennedys is an “impressive” lawyer who regularly acts on behalf of aircraft owners, lessors and financial institutions.

Asia-Pacific

Global Elite Thought Leaders

Paul Greenwell - Clifford Chance LLP, Hong Kong
Ravi Nath - RNClegal/Rajinder Narain & Co, New Delhi

Leading Individuals

Australia

John Angus of Herbert Smith Freehills is “well regarded in aviation finance” for his wealth of experience and in-depth knowledge of financing transactions.

With almost 30 years’ experience, John Canning stands out at King & Wood Mallesons for his outstanding work on cross-border structured finance transactions.

Benjamin Martin of Norton White is a “well-regarded” practitioner who excels in the aviation market when it comes to related transactions and regulatory matters.

Hong Kong

Clifford Chance’s Paul Greenwell is an “experienced and knowledgeable” aviation expert and is the “absolute clear winner” for finance matters.

India

Ravi Nath from RNClegal/Rajinder Narain & Co has a “tremendous amount of experience in contentious matters and definitely deserves to be included” among the leading names in the market.

Japan

From Nishimura & Asahi, Katsu Sengoku is highlighted as a “very experienced” practitioner who excels on aircraft leasing matters.

Turkey

Cem Karako of Karako Law Office is a “very responsive, solution-driven” practitioner who is “able to solve aircraft-related structure problems among an array of jurisdictions”.