Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner has a strong track record in the rail sector, advising on significant rolling stock procurements, leasing arrangements, and fleet re-leasing matters involving both franchised and open-access operators. In addition to its rail work, the team advises aviation sector clients on helicopter and aircraft leasing, subleasing, and cross-border relocations. The practice is led by Russell Clifford, who focuses on rail financing and leasing and has experience across a wide range of financing structures, including structured debt facilities, tax-based and non-tax-based leases, limited recourse financing, asset portfolio transactions, and securitisations. Jason Chamberlain brings extensive rail industry experience, particularly in railway passenger franchising and concessions. Jamie Wiseman-Clarke specialises in rolling stock leasing, procurement, and finance, while Anton Chambers leads the firm’s aviation finance work, focusing on cross-border asset transactions and restructurings.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'A very long and established relationship with an excellent understanding of our business, our requirements, and team. I wouldn't want an alternative team to provide legal representation! The team is extremely professional.'
- 'The complete team stands out, but special mention must go to Russell Clifford, Jamie Wiseman-Clarke, and Deborah Boddy.'
- 'Breadth, knowledge, and experience run throughout the whole practice.'
- 'Longstanding professional relationship where we know each other extremely well. As a team, they stand out in their ability, conduct, experience, and professionalism in comparison to other law firms. I have total confidence in the complete team and also the wider team when other legal issues arise, where the breadth, knowledge, and experience run throughout the whole practice. Absolutely fantastic.'
- 'They have a long history of providing legal counsel to my company and understand our business really well. When that strong connection is coupled to their wealth of knowledge and experience in the rail leasing market, we get great support.'
- 'Their people are very relatable too and happy to explain the legal principles sitting beneath the advice provided. I really learn lots from them each time we meet.'
Key clients
- Angel Trains
- Beacon Rail
Work highlights
Advised Angel Trains on its landmark procurement of 14 new five-car Hitachi Class 80x trainsets for lease to FirstGroup.
Advised Angel Trains on the financing of expansion works at Tyseley Depot in the West Midlands to accommodate a new fleet of Class 196 DMUs.
Advised in relation to upgrade works arising from the re-leasing of Voyager trains (including trains transferring from Avanti West Coast) to CrossCountry Trains.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Russell Clifford
Other key lawyers
Jason Chamberlain; Jamie Wiseman-Clarke; Anton Chambers; Deborah Boddy