Asset finance

Matheson LLP

Matheson LLP's large aviation finance and transportation group is backed by a dedicated asset finance tax team. The department has a strong track record in assisting aircraft lessors and private equity investors with establishing and expanding leasing platforms in Ireland, as well as advising banks, asset managers and financial institutions on cross-border financings involving export credit agencies (ECAs) and development finance institutions (DFIs). Other key drivers of work include handling structured finance and asset-backed securitisations (ABS) within the aviation finance arena, alongside ongoing restructuring issues arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. Rory McPhillips and Stuart Kennedy jointly head up the practice, in which Yvonne McWeeney, Stephen Gardiner and Maireadh Dale are key names to note.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The Matheson team are extremely approachable and have strong knowledge of the aviation industry which makes them are great legal service provider to any client in the industry. Matheson has a large team so they have capacity to support a variety of transactions. ’
‘Stuart Kennedy is extremely personable and approachable, he is always available to assist with excellent advice and pragmatic solutions.’
‘The team has very strong expertise and a leading market position in Ireland in the area of asset finance and aviation, which when coupled with speed of response and service orientation makes them a pleasure to deal with. ’
‘Stephen Gardiner's work style and attitude make us enjoy working with him.'
‘The training and experience they have obtained and gained in working over the years in Matheson makes the team stand out over their competitors. Their philosophy is "can do". Stuart Kennedy is unsurpassed when it comes to experience and how to get the transaction done efficiently and on time. Rory McPhillips is a superb lawyer and he can explain complex legal matters in an understandable way. Yvonne McWeeney is very responsive and has a great way of dealing with clients. Stephen Gardiner is a qualified private pilot and has a technical understanding of aviation matters that is unrivalled.'
‘Stuart Kennedy and Stephen Gardiner are the partners I know and have worked with most frequently. They are responsive, approachable, knowledgeable and go the extra mile for their clients and the instructing law firm. They are generous with their time and open to collaborating and opening up contacts and relationships, and spotting opportunities to work together. They demonstrate time and time again that they are leaders in their field and understand the value of long-standing relationships and the difference that can make to the experience of working with them.’
‘Yvonne McWeeney - responsive, helpful and efficient. Work is accurate and works well across all parties involved in a transaction.’
‘The team are very responsive and supportive to our business and generous with their knowledge and experience. We have very regular interaction with Rory McPhillips, Stuart Kennedy, Stephen Gardiner and Yvonne McWeeney all of whom are great legal partners to work with and focus on offering practical solutions.’

Key clients

FTAI Aviation
Aergo Capital Limited
Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA
CDB Aviation
UK Export Finance (UKEF)
CCB Aviation
Aviation Capital Group
AerCap
Castlelake, L.P.
LR AirFinance
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE)
PK AirFinance
Arctic Aviation Assets DAC
Jackson Square Aviation
Tokyo Century
Fortress Investment Group LLC
Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES)
Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (BoComm Leasing)
CMB Financial Leasing (CMB Aviation)
Azorra Aviation

Work highlights

Represented ALAFCO in the sale of 53 current and next-generation commercial passenger aircraft and an order for 20 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, valued at $2.2bn, to Macquarie.
Acted as Irish counsel for Aquila, Royal Aero and Ashland Place on establishing an Irish joint venture platform between Aquila and Royal Aero.