Most Highly Regarded Firms: Aviation 2010
This edition features 382 exceptional aviation lawyers from around the world specialising in contentious, regulatory and commercial matters.
As in previous editions, Clyde & Co LLP dominates our research with 15 leading lawyers featured. At the firm’s offices in London the “very reputable” John Balfour is one of the most highly rated aviation lawyers in the world. He focuses on European and regulatory law. Timothy Brymer heads the firm’s aviation department and represents aviation insurers, airlines and manufacturers worldwide. The “excellent” Philip Bass specialises in aviation liability claims and Maria Cetta’s practice includes advising and representing airlines and airports in matters concerning baggage, insurance, and catastrophe work. David Willcox is a “very fine lawyer” and has over 30 years of experience in this sector focusing mainly on liability claims and insurance disputes. Gavin Hill is regarded as “brilliant” and has extensive experience in the finance, leasing and purchase of aircraft as well as aviation insolvencies, restructurings and aircraft recoveries. Ross Williams is considered an “expert” in aviation insurance.
Two lawyers are listed from the firm’s New York office. Andrew Harakas focuses on product liability litigation, insurance, complex tort and bankruptcy; Diane Westwood Wilson is “well respected” as a litigator in a number of areas including product liability.
In Singapore, David Clark’s practice covers all aspects of aviation liability and he has been involved in a number of high-profile matters. Peng Lim handles major accidents in the region and has extensive litigation experience in Asia, Europe and North America.
Maylis Casati-Ollier, based in Paris, is regarded as a “specialist” in aviation finance and her practice also involves product liability, aircraft accidents, litigation and arbitration.
In Rio de Janeiro, the Beaumont & Son Aviation at Clyde & Co team is headed by Martyn Plaskett, who is accompanied on our list by two further aviation specialist partners, Sarah Catchpole and Julio Costa, as well as nine assistants. The team represents insurers and reinsurers; carriers and airport operators in the region, and aerospace product manufacturers. Work ranges from multi-jurisdictional major airline disaster work to smaller passenger and cargo claims.
Clifford Chance LLP has more lawyers nominated than in previous years, with 11 lawyers from eight jurisdictions featured. In New York, Geoffrey White is considered a “terrific” aviation finance lawyer and John Howitt is well regarded as a “specialist” in this field.
In London William Glaister advises on all aspects of asset financing and leasing of aircraft and the “excellent” Clive Carpenter is also highly regarded in this area. Jelle Hofland is based in Amsterdam and is “rated highly” for his finance practice.
At the firm’s offices in Singapore, Simon Briscoe is seen as the “go-to guy” for aviation finance in Asia. In Bangkok, Fergus Evans is respected for his “experience and commitment” in aviation finance. The “very knowledgeable” Riko Vanezis acts for a range of clients involved in domestic and cross-border asset finance transactions.
In Tokyo, Keiji Isaji receives praise for his finance practice, which encompasses operating leases and structured financings for aircraft. Hidehiko Suzuki is valued for his practice in regulatory matters and litigation concerning insurance claims, finance and operating leases of aircraft. In Hong Kong, the “commercially minded” Paul Greenwell specialises in asset and structured finance.
Eight nominees from Norton Rose LLP are listed, from four jurisdictions. In London, Patrick Farrell is seen as an “excellent litigator” specialising in dispute resolution, insurance and regulation. The “very sharp” Jeremy Edwards focuses on structured and asset financing. Philip Vallance is also considered an expert in this field and is a lawyer that is “sensitive to the needs of clients while moving deals forward”. Owen Mulholland is “highly recommended” for his finance practice.
George Paterson heads the firm in Paris and focuses his practice in aviation finance and leasing transactions. The “terrific” Glenn Matheson is also based in Paris and has 20 years of experience in the financing, leasing and sale of aircraft. In Munich, Ralf Springer has significant experience in aviation finance and leasing.
In Singapore, Leigh Borrello is head of the firm’s aviation finance practice in Asia and has acted for a range of clients including airlines, export credit agencies and financial institutions.
Allen & Overy LLP has six lawyers represented from six jurisdictions. Mario Jacovides is global practice leader of the firm’s structured and asset finance group and has “excellent experience” within the aviation industry. In New York, the “outstanding” Ian Shrank has 30 years of experience in structured and asset financing and Willem van Baren is based in Amsterdam and specialises in product liability and insurance. In Brussels Werner Eyskens is an “excellent litigator” and Wolfgang Melzer is based in Frankfurt with expertise in leasing and asset financing. In Beijing, Yvonne Ho has received praise for her finance practice.
EUROPE
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP has six lawyers listed; three of whom are based in Germany. In Frankfurt, the “distinguished” Dirk Schmalenbach co-heads the firm’s finance practice group and Konrad Schott concentrates his practice on aircraft finance. Jochen Lüdicke is based in Düsseldorf and specialises in international financial and tax matters in the aviation industry. In Brussels Alan Ryan focuses on EU competition law.
We recommend two Freshfields lawyers at in London. Robert Murphy has extensive experience in aviation finance and export credit agency financing, cross-border tax-based leasing structures and capital market transactions in particular. The “tremendous” Jeffrey Wool is secretary and general counsel of the Aviation Working Group and has been involved in the development of the Cape Town convention on international interests in mobile equipment.
Bird & Bird has five lawyers who are prominent in our research. The “fantastic” Catherine Erkelens is based in Brussels and co-heads the firm wide aviation group specialising in commercial contracts, business practices and regulatory issues. In London, Simon Chamberlain has over 27 years of experience in the aviation industry and his practice comprises transactional, regulatory and commercial matters. Richard Venables is regarded as a “specialist” in aviation regulatory matters. Vonnick le Guillou is based in Paris and heads the firm’s aviation department in France and Jörgen Ekström provides contentious and corporate advice to aviation clients out of the Stockholm office.
Four lawyers from Denton Wilde Sapte LLP are featured. Nick Chandler heads the firm’s aircraft finance and leasing team and his main areas of practice are cross-border finance, ECA financing and aircraft leasing. In London, Serge Sergiou focuses on aircraft transactions while Paul Holland principally deals with aircraft financing and has expertise in Middle East operations. Brett Hailey in Istanbul has significant experience in aircraft finance and leasing transactions.
Gates and Partners also has four lawyers listed. In London, Sean Gates is a “first-class lawyer” specialising in aerospace insurance, reinsurance and liability issues. Neil McGilchrist is a “terrific lawyer” who advises clients on all matters concerning aviation liability and previously handled the Air France Concorde accident in Paris. Paul Freeman focuses on aviation disaster management, claims handling, regulatory issues and arbitration. David Johnston is based in Singapore and has expertise in Asia-Pacific liability and insurance matters.
McCann FitzGerald is one of Ireland’s largest law firms and has four lawyers represented in our research. The “exceptional” Catherine Deane acts for leading aircraft lessors, lenders and arrangers and Hilary Marren acts for operating lessors and financiers in matters concerning cross-border asset finance. Joe Fay specialises in asset finance transactions while Georgina O’Riordan focuses on cross-border aircraft finance transactions.
In Munich, the “outstanding” Nikolai Ehlers at Ehlers Ehlers & Partner is highly rated in our research and is treasurer of the European Air Law Association. Berend Crans from De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek NV is based at the firm’s offices in Amsterdam and is one of the most highly rated in our research. He heads the firm’s finance practice and is considered an “innovative lawyer”. Nicholas Hughes at Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP is based in London and is considered a “top-notch” lawyer with expertise in insurance, liability and commercial issues.
The “superb” Mia Wouters from LVP Law is based in Brussels and is director of the European Aviation Club. She focuses on all legal issues surrounding the commercial, contractual and regulatory areas.
UNITED STATES
Vedder Price PC is the firm that leads in the US with six lawyers featuring highly in our research. Ronald Scheinberg chairs the New York equipment and institutional finance group and is “highly regarded” for his aviation finance practice. The “exceptionally skilled” Jeffrey Veber is a member of the equipment finance group and advises a range of clients such as ECAs, lenders, lessees and equity participants on matters concerning equipment finance. John Karesh focuses on aviation finance and equipment leasing; he represents domestic and international lenders and lessors.
At the firm’s offices in Chicago, Dean Gerber chairs the equipment finance group and has “outstanding” experience. Geoffrey Kass is a “great lawyer” and represents clients in corporate and securities matters with an emphasis on structured financings while Joshua Gentner has extensive experience in cross-border leasing transactions, bankruptcy and restructuring.
Condon & Forsyth LLP has five lawyers listed. In Los Angeles, the “remarkable” Rod Margo is one of the most highly rated in our research and specialises in litigation and resolution of aviation claims and commercial disputes. Frank Silane manages the firm’s LA office and concentrates on complex and multi-district tort and insurance litigation. He has over 35 years of experience in representing aviation clients.
We identify three lawyers from the firm’s New York office. Michael Holland is “highly recommended” for his tort and commercial litigation practice. Stephen Stegich has expertise in products liability litigation and insurance coverage issues and Desmond Barry concentrates on complex multi-district aviation and product liability litigation.
Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy LLP also has five lawyers prominent in our research. In New York, the “superb” Elliot Gewirtz chairs the firm’s global transportation finance department and his practice involves aircraft securitisations and lease financings and cross-border tax leases. Helfried Schwarz advises clients on matters concerning aircraft financing including cross-border leveraged lease transactions and enhanced equipment trust certificate offerings. Drew Fine chairs the firm’s finance groups and is an “expert” in financings and corporate transactions involving aircraft. Elihu Robertson heads the firm’s transportation and space finance group and represents airlines, underwriters, lenders and lessors in aircraft finance matters. Young-Joon Kim is based in Hong Kong and is “renowned” for his aviation finance practice.
Four lawyers from Holland & Knight LLP are featured in our publication. At the firm’s New York office the “first-rate” John Pritchard has over 20 years of experience in aircraft, equipment and facility finance. Randal Robert Craft is a senior litigation partner and possesses expertise in product liability, mass disaster and insurance matters. William Piels is the executive partner in the firm’s San Francisco office and has over 20 years of experience in aircraft leasing and financing transactions. In Washington, DC, Anita Mosner is the deputy chair of the firm’s aviation team and regularly represents airlines, airports and other aviation clients handling all phases of the airline start-up process, joint ventures and regulatory compliance.
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP has four lawyers listed here. In New York, the “highly knowledgeable” Payson Coleman represents clients in a wide range of lease, finance, acquisition, restructuring and remarketing matters. William Bowers co-leads the firm’s structured finance practice and represents a range of clients in structured finance and asset backed securities transactions. Kenneth Quinn is based in Washington, DC, and is the co-leader of the firm’s aviation practice. He is considered an “authority” in aviation matters. Michael Schumaecker is the “well-respected” lawyer who heads the firm’s finance practice section.
Perkins Coie LLP has four representatives listed. In Seattle, Keith Gerrard has more than 30 years of experience representing manufacturers in relation to product liability and aviation litigation. Douglas MacBain is “respected” for his aviation finance practice and Thomas McLaughlin has extensive experience in product liability litigation and counselling. Peter Archie has broad experience advising purchasers, sellers, lessors and lessees in domestic and international transactions.
Smith Gambrell & Russell LLP has four lawyers listed from its offices in Atlanta. Howard Turner heads the firm’s aviation law practice and is considered an “innovator” having acted as lead counsel for a major US airline in its pioneering acquisition and financing of the first large-scale purchase of airbus aircraft outside of Europe. Donald Mitchell represents a range of clients in the purchase, sale, lease and maintenance of aircraft and equipment. Paul Zampol is senior counsel of the firm’s air transport industry group and he represents international airlines in matters concerning aircraft leasing, equipment acquisition and long-term maintenance agreements. Thomas Stalzer has over 27 years of experience advising clients in contract preparation and negotiations, regulatory compliance and federal, state and local tax compliance issues.
AUSTRALIA
Mallesons Stephen Jaques leads the market in this jurisdiction with four lawyers listed. In Sydney, John Canning focuses on cross-border structured finance transactions and James Mok has been recommended for his aviation finance work. John Hambly also receives praise for his aviation finance practice and Hal Bolitho is based in Melbourne and his expertise includes project and structured aviation finance.
Ian Awford at his own firm is based in Sydney and has a broad range of experience in product liability, legal issues concerning airports, air traffic control and maintenance, and insurance and reinsurance.