Alexia Russell > Watson Farley & Williams LLP > Paris, France > Lawyer Profile

Watson Farley & Williams LLP‘s aviation finance practice reflects the firm’s global strengths in this space, where the group counts clients such as lessors, arrangers, and manufacturers amongst its portfolio, advising them on the gamut of English and French law transactions. A specific focus of the practice lies in debt restructuring as well as sale and leaseback transactions, with additional capabilities relating to cross-border matters.  Asset finance expert Alexia Russell heads the team and offers particular expertise in ECA-backed financings. Philippe Monfort is another key member of the team and is qualified in France as well as England and Wales.

With a strong presence in major ship finance hubs, the Paris-based global shipping practice at Watson Farley & Williams LLP maintains its leading position in the field. The practice advises owners, operators, and major financial institutions on a wide range of complex, high-value, multijurisdictional ship finance transactions. Co-heading the team are Alexia Russell, a specialist in asset finance, leasing, and project finance; and Laurence Martinez-Bellet, an expert in cross-border transactions, as well as ECA and DFI-backed transactions involving JVs and debt or equity investment funds. The practice also benefits from the expertise of Philippe Monfort, who focuses on transport asset finance, and Isabella Roberts, a maritime specialist with extensive experience in multi-jurisdictional finance transactions, earning her the reputation as a ‘golden bridge across cultures‘.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP is a well-known name in the field of asset finance among leading banking institutions. Leveraging its international platform and with in-house French and UK law capabilities, the Paris team often advises on high-end shipping finance deals while also handling project finance, export credit, trade and commodity finance in relation to Africa and the French renewables energy sector (including the construction of new battery storage facilities). The group’s workload also includes advising on acquisition finance. The experienced Laurence Martinez-Bellet heads the practice, which also includes Alexia Russell, Philippe Wolanski and Rachel Campbell.