Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP > London, England > Firm Profile
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP Offices
Level 34
100 Bishopsgate
London
EC2N 4AG
England
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Finance > Transport finance and leasing Tier 2
Drawing upon a 'wealth of knowledge and experience in negotiating aircraft financing documentation', Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP provides 'solutions-driven and efficient' advice to lenders and borrowers seeking or providing finance within the aviation sector. Leasing underpins a sizeable proportion of the workflow, whether it be the context of portfolio sales, acquisitions and financings, as well as on the establishment or unwinding of leasing platforms. Debra Erni has 'a high level of knowledge' in this space and is particularly appreciated for her work in the Japanese market, where she adds value by dint of her fluent language skills and appreciation of cultural differences. 'Vastly experienced and super responsive' team head Graham Tyler also handles some lessor work, in addition to advice to airlines and export credit agencies, ensuring that he has an excellent perspective of the market. 'Practical and solutions-focused' counsel Chris Knight is also a key member of the team, and is adept at handling cross-border aircraft and engine finance transactions for an eclectic mix of clients. Clients also benefit from the team's ability to leverage resources from the firm's US and Asia offices.Practice head(s):
Graham Tyler
Other key lawyers:
Debra Erni; Antony Single; Rakhi Savjani; Chris Knight
Testimonials
‘The team has a wealth of knowledge and experience in negotiating aircraft financing documentation.’
‘We enjoy working with them because we can rely on getting updated market trends.’
‘Solutions-driven and efficient documentation process management.’
‘Graham Tyler is vastly experienced and super responsive and can be relied on to give an interesting unique perspective we may not have have considered.’
‘Debra Erni has a high level of knowledge and expertise on aircraft leasing matters.’
‘Chris Knight is diligent, practical and solutions-focused.’
‘Chris Knight is vastly experienced in aircraft financing and is comfortable navigating and explaining his way around the suite of documentation required to finance aircraft.’
Key clients
Air Lease Corporation
Bank of Tokyo Lease
Deutsche Bank
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise
Dubai Islamic Bank
Elliott Management
Emirates Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines
Export Development Canada
FIDERA
ICBC Leasing
HSBC
Jackson Square Aviation
Minsheng Financial Leasing
Mitsubishi Corporation
Novus Aviation Capital
Oaktree Capital Management
Qatar Airways
Macquarie AirFinance
SMBC Aero Engine Lease
Stratos
Tamweel Aviation Funding
TrueNoord Regional Aircraft Leasing
World Star Aviation
Work highlights
- Advised Oaktree Capital and its servicer World Star Aviation on the post-acquisition refinancing of a 36 cargo aircraft portfolio.
- Advised DAE as borrower in relation to $2bn worth of facilities, including financing to support DAE’s acquisition of 36 aircraft from Sky Leasing.
- Advised TrueNoord Regional Aircraft Leasing in a 10 aircraft portfolio acquisition from Nordic Aviation Capital.
Corporate and commercial > EU and competition: trade, WTO anti-dumping and customs Tier 3
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP offers a full-service UK/EU trade team that is deeply experienced across the gamut of relevant areas including trade and financial sanctions, export controls, customs compliance, and WTO law. Practice head Steven Farmer draws on nearly two decades of experience in this field, with a particularly broad sector focus that spans technology, energy, financial services, aviation and media.Practice head(s):
Steven Farmer
Other key lawyers:
Matthew Oresman
Testimonials
‘An extremely competent and very committed team of professionals.’
‘A real dream team of professional legal advisors.’
‘Their expertise and familiarity with their clients and their needs is fantastic.’
‘Very highly skilled and make an effort to understand their clients’ needs.’
‘The team has deep knowledge of US, EU and UK export controls and sanctions.’
‘The team has ties with various regulators, which is helpful in securing an opinion on export control or sanctions matters.’
‘The team is very responsive and provides practical advice. They work very well in conjunction with their US colleagues on sanctions and export control matters.’
‘Steve Farmer is very knowledgeable about UK and EU sanctions and export control regulations. He is very responsive and provides sound, practical advice that goes straight to the point.’
Key clients
Meta Platforms, Inc
Chevron Corporation
Bank of Cyprus
Raine Group, LLC
Intelsat Corporation
Bombardier Aerospace
Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc
Hyve Solutions Europe Limited
TD Synnex
Hellenic Bank
1stdibs.com, Inc
Lumacron
SunExpress
Russia-China Greater Bay Area Equity
Investments
World Nuclear Association
Akamai Technologies
CEECAT
Associated Energy Group
Industry focus > Emerging markets Tier 3
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP provides 'thoughtful and wise counsel from a very strong deal makers'. London managing partner Matthew Oresman leads the international public policy practice, advising governments, political leaders, businesses and NGOs. He recently assisted AI company Gorilla Technologies Inc in moving its headquarters from Taiwan to London, and he advised Bank of Cyprus on US, EU, Russia, UN, Ukraine and other sanctions, export control and AML compliance matters. Head of corporate James Campbell leads the firm-wide Africa practice, and clients describe him as 'the proverbial rock - the go-to person for navigating clients through tricky deals in emerging markets'. His highlights include assisting Emmerson PLC with the financing of Africa’s first commercial potash mine. Osama Abu-Dehays focuses on transactions in the Middle East, particularly in the commercial, technology, media and telecommunications sectors, having helped broadcasters, football leagues and telecom/technology providers in many high-value deals over the years.Practice head(s):
James Campbell
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Thoughtful and wise counsel. Very strong deal makers, Very strong in the no fuss approach to lawyering. A pleasure to work with.’
‘James Campbell is the proverbial rock. He is the go to person for navigating clients through tricky deals in emerging markets – his exceptional knowledge, people skills and result orientated attitude, appropriately calibrated for the cultural milieu of the relevant territory, makes him indispensable for any transaction in the emerging markets.’
Key clients
Adenium Distributed Solar
Alpac Capital
Association of Cyprus Banks
Bank of America
Bank of Cyprus
Bank of New York Mellon
BMW
BNNP, Bk West, First Hawaiian, Fortis
CEECAT Capital
Citigroup
Deutsche Bank
Dronamics
DVB Bank SE
EN+
EBRD – European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Fannie Mae
GE
Government of Kosovo
Gorilla Technologies
Government of Uzbekistan
Hellenic Bank
HSBC Bank
Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC)
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Monbat AD
Natixis Wholesale Banking Americas
Pacific Continental Bank
TD Bank
Wells Fargo
Myco Technologies
Industry focus > TMT Tier 4
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is known for its tech transactions and outsourcing work with practice head Rafi Azim-Khan covering the full spectrum of TMT work including IP, digital media and e-commerce. Steven Farmer is well-versed in issues relating to IT and payment systems while Lee Rubin focuses on financial services and business process outsourcing.Practice head(s):
Rafi Azim-Khan
Other key lawyers:
Steven Farmer; Lee Rubin
Testimonials
‘We have been using Pillsbury for many years. I have never felt let down by their service. No matter what I need, they have an expert. Rafi Azim-Khan is my key contact, and he always takes care of what we need. Even in suddenly urgent situations, he works night and day, across time zones, to deliver. I couldn’t be happier.’
‘Rafi Azim-Khan is my key contact, and he always takes care of what we need. Even in suddenly urgent situations, he works night and day, across time zones, to deliver.’
‘The team are knowledgeable, attentive, precise and incredibly skilled.’
‘Steven is always on hand to provide support, advice, and recommendations. He regularly responds outside of prescribed hours, and consistently goes the extra mile to support our team.’
‘Pillsbury continue to provide a flexible and personalised service to us, unlike other large firms we’ve used in the past.’
‘Steven Farmer has provided a reliable, diligent, and personal service in our time with him. He takes the time to understand our needs and makes us feel valued regardless of whether we are one of their larger billing clients.’
‘Pillsbury breadth, depth, expertise, and execution are amongst the finest Intellectual Property practices globally’
‘Rafi Azim-Khan – sterling technical expertise, business savvy, integrity, and sterling execution.’
Key clients
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Victaulic Company
HM Electronics Inc
SpyCloud Inc.
Upland Software Inc
Juniper Square
Infohealth Limited
World Travel and Tourism Council
Sinclair Broadcast
Everi
1stDibs
Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 5
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP‘s ‘first-class arbitration group‘ is particularly well known for energy-related disputes. 'One of the top arbitration lawyers in the country', practice head Deborah Ruff specialises in high-value disputes involving clients from the energy, infrastructure, construction, telecoms, banking, and corporate sectors. Ruff also represents both investors and states in bilateral investment treaty and multilateral treaty cases. At counsel level, Julia Kalinina Belcher focuses on CIS, MENA and US-related claims, while Charles Golsong is 'an extraordinary lawyer'.Practice head(s):
Deborah Ruff
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘A small, but focused group that keeps costs in check, and has superior knowledge and business experience.’
‘A first-class arbitration group. They may be small in number but pack a mighty punch.’
‘Hands on and gets deeply involved in cases.’
‘Deborah Ruff and Julia Kalinina Belcher are a formidable and tenacious team. They fight their clients’ corner with vigour and determination.
‘Deborah Ruff now needs to be viewed as one of the top arbitration lawyers in the country.’
‘Charles Golsong is a wonderful contact in London. He is efficient, responsive, and an extraordinary lawyer.’
Key clients
Mobile Telecommunications Company KSC
Projects, energy and natural resources > Oil and gas Tier 5
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is well-known for its longstanding relationship with Chevron and is praised for the team’s ‘breadth of industry connections’ in the oil and gas sector. The group is seeing increasingly impressive mandates at all levels of the value chain, including upstream and downstream work. Greg Hammond joined from Dentons in July 2022 and co-leads the oil & gas group in conjunction with Deborah Ruff.Practice head(s):
Greg Hammond; Deborah Ruff
Other key lawyers:
Nick Burgess
Testimonials
‘The team is known for its breadth of industry connections, expertise in M&A in diverse jurisdictions and willingness to spend time to understand clients perspective.’
‘The group’s international expertise and experience are solid, especially in Africa. Their practice covers a wide range of activities from financing to M&A involving all the economic chains of O&G.’
‘UK team is up to date with market developments and provides an all round service.’
‘Greg Hammond – very creative in building deal structures, engaging different counterparts to see a beneficial outcome. Excellent inter-personal skills.’
‘Greg Hammond is very personable, experienced and responsive.’
‘Greg Hammond is excellent to work with.’
Key clients
Chevron New Energies
Chevron Technology Ventures LLC
Nikola Corporation
Work highlights
- Advised oil super-major Chevron on a key investment as part of its Energy Transition strategy, namely the acquisition of a significant shareholding in Carbon Clean (the developer of the leading “Cyclone-C” carbon capture technology).
- Advised oil super-major Chevron on a key investment as part of its Energy Transition strategy, namely the acquisition of a significant shareholding in Ocean GeoLoop AS (the green tech company which uses natural vegetable matter to capture CO2 at source).
- Advised oil super-major Chevron on a wide range of international trade related matters, including sanctions and compliance issues involving all US, UK, and EU sanctions programs, export controls (technology transfers, encryption licensing, deemed exports, etc.), antiboycott, CFIUS issues and customs matters.
Risk advisory > Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity Tier 5
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP advises clients across the finance, electronics, and tech sectors on the full range of data privacy, protection, and cybersecurity matters, with notable strength in the drafting of binding corporate rules, data transfer agreements, and EU and UK GDPR compliance. Rafi Azim-Khan oversees the team and splits his time between London and Silicon Valley, while Steven Farmer, noted for his ‘in-depth understanding of complex privacy issues,’ advises start-ups and leading tech multinationals on global compliance issues.Practice head(s):
Rafi Azim-Khan
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Rafi Azim-Khan is my key contact, and he always takes care of what we need. Even in suddenly urgent situations, he works night and day, across time zones, to deliver.’
‘The team has a deep understanding of the various privacy and data protection rules both in the UK and EU. They are well connected with individual regulators from whom they can obtain informal guidance, which is quite useful.’
‘Steven Farmer is the person I principally work with. His judgement is sound and his advice is practical. I value his knowledge and his responsiveness. First rate in all regards.’
‘The Pillsbury team was extremely knowledgeable and responsive in assisting our company with establishing a UK presence and understanding our data protection and privacy obligations.’
‘Pillsbury has as a team of highly skilled attorneys who have extensive knowledge of European data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), LED and ePrivacy Directive.’
‘As someone who has worked closely with Steven Farmer, I can attest to his exceptional professionalism and out-of-the-box thinking as well as in-depth understanding of complex privacy issues.’
‘We have been working with this team for many years. They are consistent, responsive and able to provide practical advice and guidance for our business. They helped us create a global privacy policies that covers close to 30 countries, and it is digestible and comprehensive all at the same time.’
‘Steven Farmer is our main partner contact. Steve does an excellent job of taking the legal requirements and making them approachable.’
Key clients
G.Network Communications
CSC
LEAP
Morgan Stanley
Bass Pro
PNC Bank
State Street Bank
Institute of International Finance
Victaulic
HM Electronics
Ntrepid
United States > Transport > Aviation and air travel: finance
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP‘s ‘efficient, succinct and knowledgeable‘ team is consistently mandated by major airlines, lessors and financial institutions, including funds and banks, and is particularly appreciated for its wide coverage of Asian and UK jurisdictions (in addition to the US). Serving as the firm’s global finance group leader, Mark Lessard, who provides ‘excellent advice‘, maintains a broad practice that covers large-scale structured note offerings, joint ventures, aviation fund formations, aircraft portfolio M&A, syndicated bank loans, and private placements. Key partner-level support is provided by aviation financing and leasing expert Melissa Jones-Prus, who is additionally experienced in private equity investments and aircraft leasing joint ventures, as well as aviation-related insolvency proceedings and restructurings; and Los Angeles-based Richard Evans, who advises on finance and leasing deals involving commercial aircraft and private jets. Counsel to note Pat Reisinger routinely acts for aircraft leasing companies and their equity and debt investors. The attorneys listed are based in the firm’s New York office unless otherwise mentioned.Practice head(s):
Mark Lessard
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The aircraft finance team has a deep bench of expertise – efficient, succinct and knowledgeable.‘
‘Provides practical business advice in addition to strong legal analysis of the issues.‘
‘Produces high-quality work quickly, and the team is personable and very well received by counterparties. It represents airlines, lessors, borrowers and lenders, so has insight in many areas that allows the attorneys to leverage their expertise.‘
‘The partners are valued for their expertise in this area and the respect that they garner from others through negotiations. They have a keen attention to detail and are known experts in the field.‘
‘The team has a breadth of aviation experience, including in relation to aircraft ABS transactions. The lawyers provide an excellent level of service and are very responsive.‘
‘A particular mention to Mark Lessard and Melissa Jones-Prus – they are second to none.‘
‘Mark Lessard is very experienced in aircraft ABS transactions, and is able to provide excellent advice on the risks and issues pertaining to new structures.‘
Key clients
Mizuho Securities
Credit Agricole
Export Development Canada
MUFG
Credit Suisse
Atlas Air
Air Lease Corp
SMBC
Natixis New York Branch
BNP Paribas
Work highlights
- Advised Atlas Air on the commercial loan and export credit financing of four new 747-8F deliveries and four new 777-200LRF aircrafts.
- Advised Natixis, as arranger and lender, on the structuring, negotiation and documentation of a pre-delivery payment financing, in relation to 11 Airbus A220-300 aircraft for Azorra Aviation Holdings.
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP > Firm Profile
With English and U.S. law capabilities, Pillsbury lawyers help clients navigate high-stakes and cross-border transactions, disputes and regulatory matters—in the United Kingdom, across Europe and throughout the Americas, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
Corporate and M&A: We advise companies on a global scale, in mature and emerging markets and at every life cycle stage. In recent years, our lawyers have handled 800+ M&A transactions valued at more than £375 billion and 260+ capital markets transactions worth almost £94 billion, and are consistently ranked among the top-20 firms advising on these transactions by leading league tables.
Emerging Companies & Venture Capital: We have taken shoestring startups to market-leading positions, advising on company formation, capital raises, corporate governance, technology transactions, acquisitions and public offerings. In recent years, we have completed more than £16 billion in venture financings and consistently rank among the top six most active VC advisors globally.
Global Finance: With lawyers embedded in the top global financial markets, we advise more than 200 financial institutions, including many of the world’s largest banks, private equity and investment funds, and other key industry stakeholders.
Energy Transition and Nuclear Energy: We provide comprehensive guidance on the full array of energy sources, from oil and gas to solar, fixed and floating wind, hydrogen, nuclear and fusion. We practice at the forefront of the Energy Transition, helping clients conceptualize, structure, develop and finance innovative decarbonization transactions and projects. Our international nuclear practice is consistently ranked in the first tier, and we are at the vanguard of advanced nuclear technology. We have worked on complex projects in 75 countries across six continents.
Global Sourcing: Among the largest and most experienced tech advisory practices worldwide, our team has architected more than 1,000 strategic outsourcing and technology transactions over the past 30 years, with an aggregate value exceeding £400 billion. We are consistently recognized among the leading outsourcing advisors globally.
Disputes and International Arbitration: Our disputes lawyers have decades of experience in some of the world’s largest, most complex, often multijurisdictional disputes. We handle international arbitrations under the rules of all the LCIA, ICC, HKIAC, SIAC, DIAC and ICDR, and represent clients in litigation in the London courts and elsewhere, as well as in ADR.
Data Privacy & Cybersecurity: Our cross-disciplinary, multinational team advises on the broad spectrum of privacy and cybersecurity considerations companies face today, both pre- and post-incident. Market leading insights, combined with an expansive network of regulatory connections, afford clients an array of resources for navigating and tackling data-related challenges.
International Public Policy: We regularly advise government leaders, political figures, business executives and NGO heads in relation to complex cross-border legal, commercial and policy matters, designing and implementing legal and policy solutions, including managing integrated U.S.- and Europe-based initiatives.
International Trade: We are widely recognized for our sophisticated work across the UK, EU, U.S., and beyond for work relating to export controls, economic sanctions, embargoes, foreign investment controls, antiboycott controls, customs compliance, product safety/labeling, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering and strategic sourcing.
Emerging Markets: We help companies, governments and political leaders navigate the nexus of politics and business. Our fully integrated team is purpose-built to facilitate cross-border work in diverse markets, with vast experience in China and the Asia-Pacific region, the Indian sub-continent, Russia and the CIS states, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and Africa.
Technology, Media and Telecoms: Our market leading team advises on a wide range of TMT related work including complex IP licensing issues, joint ventures, media production agreements and e-commerce mandates. We advise on multijurisdictional, high-value and complex matters for some of the world’s largest and most prestigious companies.
Establishing and managing a business in the UK
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Corporate | Osama Abu-Dehays | osama.dehays@pillsburylaw.com | +44.20.7847.9588 |
Corporate | Nadia Barazi | nadia.barazi@pillsburylaw.com | +44.20.7847.9619 |
Corporate | Nick Burgess | nicholas.burgess@pillsburylaw.com | +44.20.7847.9647 |
Corporate | James Campbell | james.campbell@pillsburylaw.com | +44.20.7847.9504 |
Cybersecurity, Data Protection & Privacy; International Trade | Steven Farmer | steven.farmer@pillsburylaw.com | +44.20.7847.9526 |
Corporate/ Energy | Greg Hammond | greg.hammond@pillsburylaw.com | +44.20.7847.9565 |
Investment Funds | Gawain Hughes | gawain.hughes@pillsburylaw.com | +44.20.7847.9548 |
International Public Policy | Matt Oresman | matthew.oresman@pillsburylaw.com | +44.20.7847.9516 |
Global Sourcing & Tech Transactions | Lee Rubin | lee.rubin@pillsburylaw.com | +44.20.7847.9539 |
International Arbitration | Deborah Ruff | deborah.ruff@pillsburylaw.com | +44.20.7847.9528 |
Finance | Antony Single | antony.single@pillsburylaw.com | +44.20.7847.9603 |
Energy Projects | Elina Teplinsky | elina.teplinsky@pillsburylaw.com | |
Finance | Graham Tyler | graham.tyler@pillsburylaw.com | +44.20.7847.9562 |
Energy Projects | Gavin Watson | gavin.watson@pillsburylaw.com | +44.20.7847.9513 |
Nuclear Energy | Vince Zabielski | vincent.zabielski@pillsburylaw.com | +44.20.7847.9537 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Julia Kalinina Belcher | Julia Belcher is a dispute resolution counsel based in Pillsbury’s London office, focusing… | View Profile | |
James Campbell | Mr Campbell’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, private equity,… | View Profile | |
Steven Farmer | Steven Farmer advises clients, particularly those with a technology focus, looking to… | View Profile | |
Charles Golsong | Charles Golsong is a dispute resolution senior associate based in Pillsbury’s London office,… | View Profile | |
Chris Knight | Chris is a senior associate in the London office of Pillsbury’s Asset… | View Profile | |
Matthew Oresman | Matthew Oresman is able to navigate complex international challenges, succeeding where cross-border… | View Profile | |
Deborah Ruff | Deborah Ruff leads Pillsbury’s Arbitration – U.S. & International practice. She has extensive experience… | View Profile | |
Rakhi Savjani | Rakhi Savjani has acted for clients across the aviation industry including several of… | View Profile | |
Graham Tyler | Mr Tyler is the leader of the law firm’s London office finance… | View Profile | |
Gavin Watson | Pillsbury partner Gavin Watson advises clients on cross-border corporate and commercial transactions,… | View Profile | |
Vincent Zabielski | Vincent Zabielski focuses on international nuclear energy matters, including providing strategic advice… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of worldwide fee-earners : Approx. 700- Finance > Transport finance and leasing
Firm Rankings
- Corporate and commercial > EU and competition: trade, WTO anti-dumping and customs
- Industry focus > Emerging markets