Mr Patrick Brennan > Bennett Jones LLP > Toronto, Canada > Lawyer Profile

The practice group at Bennett Jones LLP is well-placed to handle aircraft purchases, sales, leasings, financings and debt restructuring matters, as well as compliance issues, litigation and regulatory mandates. Airlines, aircraft operators, aircraft manufacturers and financial institutions regularly feature on the group’s client roster. In addition, aircraft leasing companies look to the team for support with lease structures, aircraft purchases, aircraft financings and aircraft security issues. Calgary-based Patrick Brennan, K.C. heads up the department and specializes in asset-based financing and leasing, aircraft acquisition and disposition, and debt restructuring. Also in Calgary, Noriko Shimura and Taylor Davis focus on corporate-commercial transactions, including aircraft asset financings.

A force in the energy and natural resources and infrastructure spheres, Bennett Jones LLP’s banking and finance expertise additionally extends to the private equity, transport and TMT fields, among others. Frequently appearing on the borrower side of transactions, the team also acts for banks and alternative lenders — including private equity clients — on financings. Recommended names in Toronto are: Mark Rasile, who routinely represents the full range of banks, alternative lenders, borrowers and sponsors on financings; next-generation transactional partner David Rotchtin; Simon Grant, who co-heads the banking and secured transactions practice; and seasoned regulatory specialist John Teolis. In Calgary, department co-head Karen Dawson and go-to aviation finance expert Patrick Brennan are key contacts. In August 2023, banking and finance partner Yannick Beaudoin joined in Montreal from Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP.