Debra Erni
Holland & Knight (UK) LLPLeveraging the expertise of ‘seasoned legal practitioners with decades of experience in aviation matters’ and also recently enhanced by the arrival of Debra Erni from Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, Holland & Knight (UK) LLP is well positioned to cover the full range of aviation-related transactional matters, including aircraft procurement, leasing and finance. A significant amount of the work handled by the team is for lessors, with Erni’s arrival enhancing this skillset, particularly in light of her connections with Japanese leasing companies. Team head Victoria Koob is also ’really knowledgeable in the leasing space’, and alongside the ‘pragmatic and solutions-driven’ Richard Sharman has been active advising creditors on a number of high-profile Chapter 11 restructurings (working alongside the firm’s US offices), as well as assisting them in matters arising from sanctions placed on Russia. Robert Ricketts has an ’exceptional knowledge of the industry’ and a diverse workload that includes financing work and advice on regulatory, commercial and operational concerns. Michael Holt assists the team in cross-border leasing mandates, as well as gaining recent experience advising creditors on repossessions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘It is a very knowledgeable team with years of experience.’
- 'They have a team of seasoned legal practitioners with decades of experience in aviation matters.'
- 'Victoria Koob is really knowledgeable in the leasing space as well as being very adept in a financing context.'
‘Robert Ricketts has exceptional knowledge of the industry and is always up to date on recent developments.'
'Richard Sharman is pragmatic and solutions driven.'
'Richard Sharman is our go-to lawyer at Holland & Knight London. We have worked with him on some of our most difficult aircraft debt restructurings and have been impressed with his thoughtful approach in challenging situations.'
Key clients
- Avolon Aerospace Leasing Limited
- BBAM Aircraft Management LP
- AerCap Holdings N.V.
- SMBC Aviation Capital Limited
- Aircastle Limited
- Muzinich & Co. Limited
- Contrail Opportunities Limited
- Investec Bank Plc
- Carlyle Aviation Partners
- Airborne Capital
- Fuyo General Lease Co., Ltd.
- Braathens International Airways AB and Braathens Regional Airways AB
- Shannon Engine Support Limited
- Close Brothers Aviation and Marine Finance Limited
- HEH Hamburger EmissionsHaus GmbH & Cle. KG
- Attestor Capital
- RBC BlueBay
- Merx Aviation
- BOT Lease Co., Ltd.
- Daiwa Energy & Infrastructure Co., Ltd.
- Jackson Square Aviation
- TrueNoord Regional Aircraft
- Macquarie Air Finance
Work highlights
- Advising multiple aircraft lessors in respect of the GOL Chapter 11 bankruptcy process which commenced in January 2024.
- Advised AerCap Holdings N.V. on a $900m secured facility involving a broad syndicate of lenders and 18 aircraft.
- Advising various leasing companies in relation to matters arising as a result of the sanctions imposed by the US, EU and the UK following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Victoria Koob