With a strong focus on the aviation sector, Morgan Lewis Stamford LLC is well versed in portfolio sales and purchases, financing and leasing, sale-and-leaseback transactions, litigation, airline restructuring, and ESG and sustainability mandates. James Bradley serves as the primary contact for lessors, financial institutions, investors, funds, airlines, and manufacturers seeking guidance on all aspects of aircraft, engine, and corporate jet financing, leasing, and restructuring. Ivan Qiu is noted for his work on aircraft finance and leasing transactions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘I find Morgan Lewis to be quite proactive & innovative in its approaches - anticipating quite well trends and jurisdiction complexities in a holistic manner.'

  • ‘Clearly, James Bradley makes a huge difference in getting the firm out there in the aviation ecosystem, and his outside-the-box ideas are very helpful in navigating the complexities linked to aircraft funding.’

  • ‘The MLS team are industry leaders in the aviation sector, particularly in the Asia Pacific region. They know the market inside out and are always a step ahead of the competition.’

  • ‘Each member of the MLS team is a pleasure to deal with. They respond in a timely and commercial manner, with their client's best interests at the forefront of their feedback.'

  • ‘Strong aviation finance team with deep industry, participant and jurisdiction expertise. This makes closing deals painless, predictable and straightforward.'

  • ‘I have great dealings with James Bradley, who is responsive, creative and prepared to structure new and innovative approaches to transactions.'

Key clients

  • Avation PLC
  • Skymark Airlines Inc.
  • Sky Leasing
  • China Aircraft Leasing Company Limited
  • Malaysia Airlines

Work highlights

Advised AVAP on its refinancing of seven aircraft with Deutsche Bank through a Term Loan A-styled $85m expandable portfolio financing facility.
Advised AVAP on its refinancing of seven aircraft with Deutsche Bank through a Term Loan A-styled $85m expandable portfolio financing facility.
Acted for CALC in the operating leases of two (2) Boeing 787-9 dreamliner aircraft to German flag carrier Lufthansa AG, for operation by its subsidiary Austrian Airlines, in the first ever deal between CALC and Lufthansa.

Lawyers

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

James Bradley
James Bradley
Practice head

James Bradley

Other key lawyers

Ivan Qiu; Nandana Marur