The growing practice at Vinson & Elkins LLP represents leading aircraft manufacturers, leasing companies, and financial institutions with the full gamut of the transactional aviation sector. The team, which is led by New York’s David Berkery and Niels Jensen, is well known in the portfolio trading market, representing Castelake in the acquisition and leasing of 16 aircraft in multiple jurisdictions, in a deal worth over $300 million. Berkery is qualified to practice in both the United States and Ireland and is seen as ‘an industry leader’ in multi-jurisdictional aviation transactions. Jensen is a ’strong negotiator’ and is experienced at handling securitization matters and the utilization of bridge facilities in the acquisition of aircraft. ‘Rockstar associate’ Demi Hueth uses her broad skillset to handle the full range of aviation finance matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Useful expertise in aviation insurance coverage issues’
- ‘Strong team of senior professionals who can all think commercially and work quickly without error ’
- ‘Niels Jensen is excellent commercially and a strong negotiator. Demi Hueth is an excellent communicator who is always available ’
- ‘Highly experienced and competent team from top to bottom; highly commercial, yet never compromising their clients' positions; very well respected; tremendous growth potential’
- ‘David Berkery is an industry leader who is very well respected and highly regarded. No aspect of any deal will surprise him.'
Key clients
- Citibank, N.A.
- Castlelake Aviation Limited
- EnTrust Global LLC
- Volofin Capital Management
- MUFG Bank, Ltd.
- The Boeing Company
- AIP Capital LLC
- AerCap Holdings N.V
- NoArena Aviation Capital
- Sky Leasing
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Niels Jensen
Practice head
David Berkery;Niels Jensen
Other key lawyers
Kim Dalrymple; Demi Hueth