Asset finance (including aviation and shipping finance)

Watson Farley & Williams

Client Satisfaction

Praised for its ‘world-class reputation’, Watson Farley & Williams acts for creditor, debtor, and investor clients in leasing and finance transactions across a diverse range of transportation assets. Splitting her time between Hong Kong and Singapore, Madeline Leong leads the team and serves as a go-to debt restructuring adviser for a roster of leading banks, leasing companies, and other financial institutions, particularly within the transportation, natural resources, and energy sectors. Christoforos Bisbikos, who acts for Chinese lessors, is commended for his ’deep knowledge of the market and commercial mindset’. Other notable figures in the team include Guan Jian, who frequently advises major banks, financial institutions, and leasing companies, covering a wide spectrum of financing matters within the shipping sector. Assisting the team is counsel Valerie Lee, who specialises in handling financings involving prominent export credit agencies in Asia. Jackson Chow maintains a strong presence in the aviation market, frequently representing various multinational finance and leasing deals.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Strong legal advice but always commercially orientated. Fast response and reliable time schedules.’
‘Christoforos Bisbikos is an excellent legal expert with deep knowledge of the market and a commercial mindset.’
‘In recent years, the law firm has strengthened its asset financing team, providing Asian clients with more diverse and comprehensive office coverage options.'
‘Jackson Chow has very rich experience and years of practice in the industry.'
‘WFW boasts the largest asset finance practice of any law firm internationally, with asset finance specialists and English law capabilities. WFW's aviation team is at the forefront of the industry and has a world-class reputation and comprises leading lawyers. They can advise on many of the industry's high-profile transactions.’
‘Jackson Chow has extensive experience in dealing with PRC-related aircraft leasing and financing deals.’
‘The team has extensive experience in aviation financing and is good at dealing with more complex and difficult projects and arrangements.'
'Jackson Chow can accurately understand the concerns of both parties in business negotiations and propose practical solutions, which greatly improves the efficiency of contract negotiations.'

Key clients

Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
Bank of Communications Financial Leasing
CALC
CCB Financial Leasing
CDB Aviation Lease Finance DAC
CMB Financial Leasing
The Export Import Bank of China
ICBC Financial Leasing
Greater Bay Airlines
Bank of America, N.A.
Minsheng Financial Leasing Co., Ltd
CITIC Financial Leasing Co., Ltd

Work highlights

Advised SPDB Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. on two sale and leaseback transactions involving the acquisition from, and bareboat charter back to Ciner Shipping group of eight bulk carriers.
Advised CITIC Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. on US$700m+ operating lease for three newbuilding 7000CEU dual fuel Pure Car and Truck Carriers, three newbuilding 8600 CEU dual fuel PCTCs and four 7200DWT General Cargo Carriers.
Advised CMB Financial Leasing (Ireland) Limited in relation to a combined Lessor supported predelivery payment financing and sale and leaseback transaction of seven (7) Airbus A320 family aircraft involving Volaris Airlines.

Lawyers

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