Fielding an international team, the aviation finance offering at Watson Farley & Williams (New York) LLP is diverse, advising on a range of acquisitions, complex financings, and Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. The group is also continuously growing its sustainability offering, recently working with banks to independently measure their aviation lending portfolios’ emissions as well as advising on the EU Taxonomy for aviation. Based in New York, Philip Jackmauh is a key name for aircraft lessors, commercial airlines, and financiers. Qualified to practice in England & Wales, New York, and California, Dominic Pearson has extensive experience handling asset-backed securitizations alongside wider portfolio financings. Susanne Burstein left the firm in August 2025, Julia Sim departed the team in February 2026.
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Key clients
- Investec Bank
- Airbus Bank
- Astatine Investment Partners
- Carlyle Aviation Partners
- Aviation Working Group
- CAVIC Aviation Leasing (Ireland) Co
- ORIX Aviation Systems Limited
- Major League Soccer, LLC
- Falko
Work highlights
Acted as aviation counsel to an ad hoc group of secured bondholders on the Chapter 11 restructuring of Spirit Airlines.
Advising CCB Financial Leasing on the finance leases of three new B737 Max 8 and two new B787-9 aircraft to United Airlines.
Advised BNP Paribas (“BNPP”) in its role as lender, facility agent and security trustee on a term loan facility granted to two existing subsidiaries of Transportation Partners Pte. Ltd. (“TP”) for the refinancing of 14 x ATR 72-600 aircraft.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Jim Bell
Other key lawyers
Philip Jackmauh; Dominic Pearson