Watson Farley & Williams LLP
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.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The aviation team at Watson Farley has extraordinarily broad experience in all aircraft finance and lease topics.'
- 'They are able to apply their knowledge perfectly in line with the economic needs of an airline and provide perfect, fast and reliable services.'
- 'Chris Mitchell is an excellent partner for every aircraft-related transaction on the side of an in-house legal counsel. He is able to structure complex legal projects and gives excellent guidance so that every transaction becomes a success! He is extremely fast and on the spot with advice. The same applies for his associate Liam Clozier.'
- 'Tim Murray has tonnes of experience in aviation. He has been involved in every kind of aviation dispute and has a massive amount of experience and knowledge.'
- 'Tim Murray is an absolute pleasure to work with.'
- 'Tim Murray is a brilliantly clever lawyer: he is always thinking at least two moves ahead of his opponents. His analysis of the law is always spot-on, and he gives very clear and commercial advice.'
- 'Tim Murray: a brilliant source of knowledge in the aviation industry.'
- 'Tim Murray achieves great solutions for his client. He combines his knowledge with a keen strategic insight and ability to master complex materials.'
- 'Andrew Ward has a very extensive grasp of the law and combines this with a dedication to the needs of the client. He is very down to earth and realistic.'
Key clients
- Air Seychelles
- Ryanair
- Apollo Global Management
- JP Morgan Asset Management
- NordLB
- Minsheng Financial Leasing
- Wilmington Trust
- Aviation Working Group
- Kroll
- SDH Wings
Work highlights
- Advised Air Seychelles in regard to its restructuring negotiations relating to its ongoing participation and obligations under a securitisation of loans to various Etihad Alliance partner airlines, with an aggregate value of $1.2bn.
- Advised Apollo Global Management as special aviation counsel on the $700m debtor-in-possession financing for Scandinavian Airlines as part of the airline’s Chapter 11 restructuring.
- Advised the Aviation Working Group (AWG) as its primary international advisors on five important areas including the development of the AWG’s sustainability and ESG framework, the design and build of the Global Aircraft Trading System (GATS), the continued development and support in relation to the Cape Town Convention, the development of a new approach to political risk for investors in aviation and specific actions relation to Russia and insurance.
Lawyers
Leading individuals
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Jim Bell