Clyde & Co‘s ‘dedicated and experienced’ aviation practice takes the spectrum of instructions from the aviation industry, acting for both airlines and insurers on commercial, contentious and regulatory issues. The practice is noted for its aviation insurance work, acting for clients in regard to coverage and liability matters. Heading the firm’s global aviation practice is The US west coast-based Kevin Sutherland, who handles commercial and product liability issues. Maria Cetta and Rob Ireland handle a wide range of liability claims, including those arising out of major accidents and hull losses, while Robert Lawson KC acts on the gamut of aviation-related disputes. Gareth Lewis, John Samiotis and Craig Rooney are noted for their contentious insurance practices, while Roger Whipp is noted for his fleet procurement work. Thomas van der Wijngaart has a mixed practice that covers commercial and regulatory matters in addition to insurance and leasing disputes. Following the August 2022 departure of Sonia Lopez to Weightmans LLP, the firm brought in aviation finance specialist Jahnavi Ramachandran from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP in January 2023.

DLA Piper’s aviation team handles commercial, contentious and regulatory instructions for clients that include airlines, manufacturers and aviation service providers. The practice acts on matters ranging from leasing to insolvency, and passenger claims under EC261 and the Montreal Convention, among other areas. Team head Tony Payne handles commercial and regulatory matters, including advising airlines on restructurings, joint ventures and cross-border compliance. Mark Franklin and of counsel Kathryn Ward advise airlines on liability issues in the wake of accidents, with both also advising on regulatory issues. Legal director Sophie Brophy and senior associate Camilla Bonfield handle a wide spectrum of aviation sector litigation matters, including issues arising out of air accidents and insolvency.

HFW‘s ‘outstanding aviation practice’ advises airlines on a range of commercial matters, from joint ventures and start-up issues to airline alliance matters and risk management. The firm also offers a strong aviation insurance practice, handling a number of disputes on behalf of insurers facing billions of dollars in claims from lessors and financial institutions. Following Giles Kavanagh‘s election to senior partner in April 2022, Mert Hifzi moved from the firm’s Singapore office in January 2023 to assume leadership of the team, specialising in major insurance claims. Also relocating from Singapore was deputy practice head, David Brotherton, arriving in June 2022 and focusing on advising lessors on financing matters. Edward Spencer and Paul Woodley are noted for their insurance coverage practices, while Zohar Zik and Barbara Pansadoro specialise in aircraft finance and leasing. Legal director Mark Waters‘ broad practice includes regulatory and disputes work. The September and October 2022 arrivals of Rebecca Quayle and senior associate Alana Checksfield from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner further strengthened the group. Peter Coles is also a new arrival, and joined the team from Clyde & Co in May 2023.

‘Leader in the field’, Norton Rose Fulbright offers a full-service aviation practice, advising on commercial matters including aircraft purchases and leasing arrangements, regulatory issues and slot issues. On the contentious side, the firm has recently acted for lessors and financial institutions making insurance claims in relation to aircraft seized in Russia. The firm is also noted for its EC 261 claims handling work, offering specialised legal tech to help airline clients manage these claims. Leading the team are Patrick Farrell and Robin Springthorpe, both aviation litigation specialists, while Duncan Batchelor focuses on asset financing as part of a wider commercial practice. Charlotte Winter, Annabelle Wheeler and Zayba Drabu focus on aviation disputes, including those pertaining to leasing, manufacturing issues and repossessions. Will Alete has a strong commercial aircraft leasing and acquisition practice.

Marshalling its ‘good aviation industry knowledge,’ Bird & Bird LLP specialises in assisting clients undertaking innovative technological projects in the aviation sector, including advising on the integration of AI into critical systems. The firm also handles financing, project developments and other transactional matters for aviation clients, as well as litigation. Leo Fattorini leads the team out of Singapore and specialises in aviation transactions, while consultant Paul Briggs acts for airlines and lessors in relation to equipment detained in Russia and also original equipment manufacturer (OEM) issues. Sophie Eyre co-heads the firm’s dispute resolution team, acting on the full spectrum of contentious aviation matters; of counsel Simon Phippard advises airlines, suppliers and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) companies on contractual issues; and Stuart Cairns heads the firm’s international airports team, assisting with all aspects of airport operations.

Insurance work forms the bedrock of DAC Beachcroft LLP‘s ‘exceptionally knowledgeable and hard-working’ aviation practice, with the firm representing insurers and reinsurers in litigation concerning hull damage and loss claims. The team also advises airlines and manufacturers on a range of commercial issues and risk management. Alex Stovold leads the team and spearheads the firm’s aviation insurance and reinsurance work, while also acting for airlines, airports, MROs and more in personal injury, fatal accident and debt recovery claims. Lorraine Wilson assists clients on coverage matters under all-risk hull policies, while Mark Gammon, who arrived from HFW in November 2022, focuses on dispute resolution, with a focus on cases involving issues of liability. Anna Anatolitou joined from Ince & Co in September 2023.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP assists its clients with commercial and contentious matters, advising on M&A, and financing matters and increasingly ESG topics, including supporting airlines with the introduction of sustainable aviation fuel to airports. The firm is also advising lessors on aircraft and engine claims following the seizure of key assets in Russia. Leading the team are UK and EU competition specialist Kim Dietzel, who also assists with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) licensing matters, and Robert Moore, who specialises in M&A, including hostile public takeovers, joint ventures and shareholder disputes. Gregg Rowan represents clients in cross-border disputes, while also assisting with regulatory investigations and public enquiries. Of counsel Suzy Campbell and senior associate Clémence Barraud handle competition and regulatory matters.

The ‘highly collegiate team’ at Kennedys specialises in aviation insurance matters, acting for both airlines and insurers in hull damage and loss claims and fatal crashes in addition to providing regulatory and transactional support. Heading up the team is Simon Balls, an aviation liability specialist who advises on issues ranging from lost baggage to fatal accidents, with strong ties to clients in the Middle East and Asia Pacific. Mark Welbourn is an insurance expert, advising on liability, passenger, third party injury and hull claims, while also providing support on consumer regulatory matters. Alexandra Rodina focuses on insurance issues concerning Russian and other eastern European clients, while Noelia Mann acts for airlines on insurance claims in Spain and Latin America.

Stephenson Harwood‘s ‘astute, commercial and focused’ team takes on the gamut of aviation matters, acting for airlines, lessors and banks in relation to asset financing, leases, regulatory issues and disputes. The practice is headed by Paul Phillips, an aviation litigation specialist, and Richard Parsons, who focuses on aviation finance. James Collins is noted for his aircraft and engine transactional work, including sale-and-leaseback arrangements. Of counsel Chloe Challinor, managing associate Johnny Champion and associate Patrick Bettle are aviation litigation specialists, representing clients in commercial and regulatory proceedings.

Milbank assists airlines, lessors and financial institutions on the spectrum of commercial aviation matters, including restructuring and insolvency, and M&A. The team has also assisted lessors in regard to Russian sanctions matters and associated insurance claims, while also acting on a range of other disputes and arbitrations. Heading the team are James Cameron, who focuses on transport asset finance and portfolio transactions, and Nick Swinburne, a finance, leasing and restructuring specialist.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP has strengthened its aviation practice with the arrivals of co-head Sidanth Rajagopal and Manuela Krach from K&L Gates LLP in October 2022 and March 2023 respectively, with both specialising in aviation financing. In addition to working ‘like a Swiss watch’ on matters of financing, restructuring and bankruptcy, Peter Sharp, who jointly leads the team, acts for clients engaged in disputes, including commercial, post-disaster and insurance matters. Solicitor advocate David Waldron represents clients in restructuring, insolvency and bankruptcy matters, as well as commercial disputes.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP offers clients ‘extraordinarily broad experience’ in the aviation sector, advising on the spectrum of commercial issues, restructuring and insolvency and regulatory matters in addition to handling major disputes. The firm has also acted for clients in relation to Russian aircraft seizures and sanctions. Jim Bell heads the practice, acting for financiers, lessors and operators on structured finance transactions, while Andrew Ward, who co-heads the dispute resolution team, acts for banks, investors, airlines and lessors. Patrick Moore focuses on restructuring matters, handling matters ranging from lease arrangements to Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. A number of arrivals have augmented the practice, with Jeffrey Wool, on secondment as secretary general of the Aviation Working Group, arriving from Holland & Knight LLP as a senior global advisor in January 2023 and aviation disputes specialist Tim Murray following in June. Alison Weal arrived from Winston & Strawn LLP in May 2022, taking up a position as head of aviation knowledge management.

Specialising in aviation insurance matters, Weightmans LLP acts for underwriters in complex coverage claims, including a number of insurers facing claims from lessors whose aircraft were seized by Russia. Leading the team is Andrew Krausz, an experienced litigator noted for his work defending claims of carrier liability and coverage issues, while Adam Baker has a broad practice encompassing commercial claims and those concerning general aviation. Sonia Lopez joined the team from Clyde & Co in September 2022, adding expertise in catastrophic loss and passenger claims, while principal associate Lisa Williams‘ arrival from Kennedys in March 2023 further strengthens the team.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner advises both lessors and, increasingly, airlines on aircraft and engine financing and leasing arrangements, including sale-and-leaseback transactions, while also acting for a number of banks and other lenders. Leading the team are Anton Chambers, an asset finance specialist who also assists with restructuring measures, and Russell Clifford, a structured asset finance expert. Associate Ricardo de Oliveira handles both financing and leasing transactions, in addition to advising on regulatory matters and representing clients in aviation and insurance disputes. Former practice co-head Rebecca Quayle moved to HFW in September 2022, with Alana Checksfield following in October.

CMS‘ aviation team supports airlines, manufacturers and financial institutions on a broad range of matters, advising on finance and leasing arrangements, the sale and purchase of aircraft and engines and repossession proceedings. On the contentious front, the firm acts for clients in insurance coverage, liability and hull claims. Practice head Gwen Edwards is a debt financing expert, and advises on cross-border M&A, and asset disposals, while solicitor advocate Alaina Wadsworth and of counsel Kate Murphy handle insurance and reinsurance disputes. Saskia Hayes acts for insureds in coverage disputes and also defends personal injury claims. Sam Silver and Nadia Omar are noted for their coverage disputes practices.

The ‘real aviation specialists’ at Holland & Knight LLP provide clients with a full-service aviation offering, assisting with aircraft sales, financing and leasing, regulatory issues and dispute resolution. The firm also advises on aviation insurance matters, acting for lessors seeking coverage for aircraft seized in Russia and also advising on sanctions issues. Leading the team are Robert Ricketts, who acts for airlines, lessors and banks on aircraft financing matters, and Phillip Durham, who splits his time between New York and Chicago. Victoria Koob advises on aviation asset financing and leasing and Gwyn O’Flynn departed the practice for an in-house role at Milestone Aviation Group in April 2022, while Jeffrey Wool and Tim Murray moved to Watson Farley & Williams LLP in January and June 2023 respectively.

K&L Gates LLP acts for airlines and lessors on a range of transactions, including sales, purchases and leases, with contentious matters including issues of non-payment and aircraft seized in Russia also forming part of the practice’s capabilities. Heading the group are aviation financing specialists Philip Perrotta and Peter O’Hare, with Peter Morton co-ordinating the firm’s international arbitration practice and taking the lead on aviation sector disputes. Former practice heads Sidanth Rajagopal and Manuela Krach moved to Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP in October 2022 and March 2023 respectively.

Keystone Law acts on instructions from airlines, airports, lessors and more, advising them on UK and EU competition and state aid rules in addition to IATA regulations, M&A, joint ventures and a range of other commercial agreements and financing arrangements. The firm also advises a number of start-up clients providing goods and services to the aviation sector. Key contacts include James Healy-Pratt, an insurance and accident specialist, and Owen Hanna, who represents the victims of air accidents and their families in personal injury claims. Alex Ferrari acts for airlines and other operators in insurance disputes.

Winston & Strawn LLP‘s aviation practice specialises in litigation in the aviation sector, while also offering advice on commercial and regulatory matters, covering restructuring and insolvency, including Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and M&A. Mark Moody leads the team, representing airlines, lessors and financial institutions in disputes and also providing asset financing assistance. Ben Bruton and Daniel Meagher are noted for their international disputes and arbitration work.