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Watson Farley & Williams LLP handles high-value, cross-border finance and restructuring matters across the aviation, rail, and maritime sectors. The team's expertise includes complex debt structures, M&A, asset acquisitions, regulatory compliance, leasing, and capital raises. The practice is co-led by Jim Bell, who advises financiers, lessors, and operators on structured and asset finance in the aviation sector. Also co-heading the team, George Macheras is a specialist in all aspects of shipping finance, including restructurings, loan portfolio transfers, and the sale, purchase, and leasing of maritime assets. Managing partner Lindsey Keeble is actively involved in structured finance and leasing matters within the maritime sector, while Louise Mor advises major banks, corporates, and operators on rail and aviation finance transactions. Chris Mitchell is a ‘true expert’ on a wide range of aviation matters, including aircraft trading, fleet procurement contracts, and complex cross-border asset finance transactions. Randeep Bubbra joined the team in 2024.
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GLOBAL AVIATION SECTOR CO-HEAD AND PARTNER IN THE FINANCE GROUP
Position
Jim has significant experience in advising financiers, lessors and operators on structured and asset finance, with the majority of his practice focussed on the aviation industry. He has advised on some of the most innovative, complex and high profile structured and asset finance transactions, including many ‘Deal of the Year’ award-winning transactions.
Jim’s experience includes debt finance, export finance, operating leasing, PDP finance, portfolio transfers, portfolio and warehouse financing, tax leasing products, debt capital markets products, Islamic finance, helicopter finance, business jet finance, engine finance, OEM purchase agreements, restructurings, regulatory and a range of corporate and commercial matters.
Jim has been recognised as a leading asset finance lawyer by prestigious legal directories, who describe him as “pragmatic, with a great commercial sense” and “very good at getting deals done”, “very commercial, bright and talented” and “genuinely one of the very rare aviation lawyers who combines strong technical expertise with an acute business sense”.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Watson Farley & Williams has always been very efficient.’
‘Chris Mitchell constantly improves his overall aviation business understanding and has become a true expert in aviation beyond legal frameworks.'
'Chris Mitchell stands out for his clarity, speed, and ability to structure complex aviation deals with a sharp commercial focus — a true asset for any in-house team.’
‘Louise Mor clearly manages the team for the client's benefit.’
‘Kavita Shah is an outstanding partner, not only her technical skills but also her soft skills make her the best partner I have worked with recently. She is patient and calm during difficult and stressful times.'
'Dominic Pearson is technically astute and very responsive on transactions.'
Key clients
- Altera Shuttle Tankers
- Avolon
- Air India
- Alpha Trains
- ABN AMRO Bank NV
- BNP Paribas
- CaixaBank
- Deutsche Bank AG
- DNB Bank ASA
- EnTrust Global Partners Offshore LP
- Eurazeo Sustainable Maritime Infrastructure
- Falko
Work highlights
Advised HSBC UK on the financing of Bibby Marine’s zero emission electric commissioning service operation vessel.
Advised multiple parties on the historic merger of Tata SIA Airlines Limited with Air India.
Advised Alpha Trains on its €1.3bn debt raise through a combination of rated private placement debt and bank debt under their existing common terms platform, for the refinancing of its existing debt as well as raising additional debt for CapEx and growth.