Clifford Chance maintains expertise in aviation finance matters spanning Asia and Australia, able to call on its global network of offices to provide local support. The team contains experienced advisors in lease financings for all parties to a transaction and are well-versed in providing de-risking and insolvency support also. Paul Greenwell, the firm’s practice head, brings particular expertise in aviation financings relating to PRC and Japanese markets, acting for financial institutions, equity arrangers and operating lessors. Hetty Lam acts on commercial debt financings, joint ventures and portfolio asset sales and novations. Jonathan Leung advises on a range of leasing structures.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'In the field of aircraft financing, Clifford Chance is a top international asset finance law firm, involved in virtually all complex or innovative transactions in the industry, as well as the most influential disputes.'
'Paul Greenwell is very experienced and knowledgeable about the market, with a keen sense of risks and issues. He is able to provide clients with timely and up-to-date market information through his international network of offices.'
'Hetty Lam is always able to easily find solutions to problems and anticipate contract terms.'
‘Proactive and commercial.’
‘Jonathon Leung and Paul Greenwell are extremely commercial and personable.’
‘Hetty Lam makes herself available and shares valuable insights around deal structuring and market practices.’
Key clients
- AerCap Ireland Limited
- AerDragon Aviation Partners Limited
- Air Lease Corporation
- AMCK Aviation
- Avolon Aerospace Leasing Limited
- Banc of America Leasing Ireland Co., Limited
- China Construction Bank
- China International Marine Containers (Group) Co., Ltd
- CK Asset Holdings
- High Ridge Aviation
Work highlights
Acting as English law and US law transaction counsel for various major international and PRC operating lessors in connection with their exposure to Russian airlines and counterparties as a result of the imposition of sanctions and export controls as well as their claims against the insurance market in respect of over $4 billion worth of aircraft stranded in Russia.
Advised China Construction Bank on the unwinding of its financing to China International Marine Containers Co., Ltd. of 10,000 units of container boxes on lease to CMACGM.
Advising various lessors, including CMB Leasing, on their tax exposure and claims made by the relevant Indian tax authorities arising from the leasing of aircraft to Indian carriers.
Lawyers
Leading partners: Aviation Finance
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Paul Greenwell
Other key lawyers
Hetty Lam; Jonathan Leung