Russell Clifford > Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner > London, England > Lawyer Profile

The ‘very commercial and responsive’ team at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is best-known for its rail-related procurement, leasing and finance work  for a lessor-focused client base that includes Angel Trains and Beacon Rail. ‘Very strategic’ team head Russell Clifford ‘knows the rail market inside out’, ensuring that he is instructed not only on high-profile domestic mandates but also an increasing volume of international work, as certain clients seek to expand into Continental Europe. The ‘level-headed’ Jamie Wiseman-Clarke  is ‘a pro-active problem solver’, acting on his own, as well as with Clifford, on core rolling stock leasing work. Drawing upon in-house expertise gained through his time at the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising and the Strategic Rail Authority, Jason Chamberlain has deep rail knowledge and ‘is indispensable when dealing with highly technical matters’. Anton Chambers is the main contact for the firm’s much smaller aviation finance offering and handles work for lessors, asset management firms and start-up airlines.

‘The flexibility, responsiveness, collaboration and support whenever working with the Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner team continues to be first class – a team that I trust implicitly’. Russell Clifford heads the department, which does a considerable amount of complex rail financing and leasing work, with a particular focus on rolling stock matters. Another strength lies in advising prominent developers and investors, as well as major infrastructure companies, on important rail-related projects. Jason Chamberlain has a wealth of experience in the rail sector. Jamie Wiseman-Clarke acts for financial institutions, lessors, lessees and manufacturers on various domestic and cross-border asset finance transactions. In particular, Wiseman-Clarke specialises in rolling stock leasing, procurement and financing work.

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.