Holland & Knight’s Aircraft Finance team advises a comprehensive and diverse clientele, including aircraft leasing companies, international airlines, and government guarantors. The group has been particularly active in bankruptcy proceedings in the last year, including representing just under half of the aircraft lessors in Spirit Airlines’ $2.4 billion Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding. The group is also active on a range of debt restructurings, securitizations, and sale transactions. The team is also active in the Latin American Market, representing large lessors in the region. Jointly based between Chicago and New York, team head Phillip Durham continues to advise on high-value transactions, such as advising on the new customized VIP A321 neo-Airbus that is to be leased to the NBA. Working alongside is John Pritchard, based in New York, who is highly regarded for his wide range of expertise in asset-based financing within the sector. For international and U.S domestic asset and infrastructure financing, Richard Furey is a key contact. Nathan Leavitt is well placed to handle matters for commercial aircraft lessors. In Dallas, Cynthia Liu is engaged in commercial aircraft financing matters, and in San Francisco, Danielle Santucci focuses on a range of commercial transactions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Great knowledge of the industry and fantastic team of lawyers.’
‘Constructive and positive business and personal attitude. Full awareness of industry developments and opportunities at a global scale.'
‘There is deep experience across the team.'
'A law firm that is willing to understand our specific business model and the different strengths within the contracts team to tailor their offering accordingly, depending on the transaction. ’
‘Phillip Durham is excellent. I particularly appreciate his ability to distil complex legal matters to accommodate risk-based decision-making in commercial contexts.'
Key clients
- AerCap Holdings N.V.
- Airborne Capital
- Aircastle Limited
- Avolon Aerospace Leasing Limited
- Babcock & Brown Aircraft Management LP (BBAM)
- BOC Aviation
- BOT Lease Co., Ltd.
- Carlyle Aviation Partners
- CDB Aviation
- Daiwa Energy & Infrastructure Co., Ltd.
- Dubai Aerospace
- Fuyo General Lease Co., Ltd.
Work highlights
Representing nearly half of the aircraft lessors – including Dubai Aerospace, Avolon Aerospace, Merx Aviation and Aircastle, among others – in Spirit Airline’s $2.4 billion Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding.
Representing 17 lessors – including SMBC Aviation Capital, Babcock & Brown Aircraft Management LP (BBAM), Avolon Aerospace and Dubai Aerospace – in GOL’s $4 billion Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding.
Advised Babcock & Brown Aircraft Management LP in the $871 million sale, leaseback and financing of 36 Boeing 737-800 aircraft that will be owned and leased to Southwest Airlines by Incline Aviation III, the third in BBAM's flagship aviation investment fund series.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Phillip Durham
Other key lawyers
John Pritchard; Richard Furey; Nathan Leavitt; Cynthia Liu; Danielle Santucci