Profile: Dennis L Bekemeyer

Aviation

Biography: Aviation

Dennis L Bekemeyer is senior counsel in Sidley's New York office. Mr Bekemeyer has broad experience in virtually all aspects of aircraft and aerospace finance, having represented many of the world's leading aircraft, engine, satellite and launch vehicle manufacturers, together with many of the world's leading aircraft and aerospace lessors, lenders, equity investors, arrangers and underwriters. Transactions in which Mr Bekemeyer has represented such parties include leveraged and operating leases, aircraft and jet engine warehouse financing facilities, securitisation and other structured financings, satellite and launch vehicle financings and launch services contracts, some of which were "deal of the year" or "first of its kind" transactions.

Representative transactions in which Mr Bekemeyer has advised clients include "first of its kind", "deal of the year" international equipment trust for VARIG, with financing assistance from export credit agencies in the United States and Japan; "first of its kind" structured advance payment financing for a major US airline; structured aircraft and engine warehouse financing facilities and securitisations; numerous US and foreign leveraged leases, operating leases and finance leases; and related transactions involving export credit agency support, domestic and international insolvency and restructuring, and domestic and international joint ventures.

Mr Bekemeyer served as chairperson (from 1994 to 1996) of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association's aerospace law committee. He currently serves on the UNIDROIT space working group relating to Space Assets Protocol to the Cape Town Convention.