Sophie Polisena
Norton Rose FulbrightPraised as a ‘great one stop shop for complex cross-border transactions’, Norton Rose Fulbright maintains a prominent position in the region’s aviation, shipping, and offshore sectors, leveraging its broad Asian and global networks to provide advisory services. The team is adept at handling high-value transactions, such as aircraft acquisitions and aviation equipment deals, along with complex portfolio management, often working with leading financial institutions and major regional airlines. Furthermore, the shipping division functions as a pivotal hub, delivering a comprehensive suite of services designed to meet the diverse needs of the industry. Keith Sandilands is noted for his considerable experience in all aspects of domestic and cross-border sales. He leads the team alongside Ben Rose, who advises on asset and project finance matters, specialising in the shipping, energy and offshore energy sectors. Elsewhere in the team, Sue Ann Gan stands out for her experience in shipping litigation, while Sophie Polisena is noted for her experience acting for international shipping and project financing banks, owners, operators and other financial institutions in syndicated and bilateral debt facilities. Praised as ’commercial and extremely responsive’, Edward Bentley is another key contact in the group.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘NRF has a comprehensive offering across Asia in aviation. The practice has strong capability and depth in current practice and legal developments in different jurisdictions in Asia so they give practical and commercial advice.'
'They are supported by the broader network of offices and a huge global team in aviation that they have around the world. It’s a great one stop shop for complex cross-border transactions.’
‘Keith Sandilands is very experienced and has a depth of technical knowledge mixed with a commercial approach to problem-solving. He is always available and engaged and finds options and solutions no matter what the sticking point on a transaction is. I think his knowledge of the Asia aviation market is unparalleled.'
- 'Edward Bentley is great, diligent and thorough. He works hard and manages time-sensitive and complex matters for us, providing efficient and clear advice and management.'
‘I am very impressed by the professionalism Edward Bentley continued to show throughout the transaction. He was always reachable, and he clearly understood the commercial aspects of the transaction.'
'Edward was collaborative and understood all nuances of the transaction. He was very prompt in his responses and worked very efficiently which led to a successful closing of the transaction in a short timeframe. He is a well-rounded lawyer and is easy to work with.'
‘Edward Bentley is an up and coming senior associate in NRF who worked tirelessly on a recent transaction to facilitate an important year end closing. Ed was very commercial and extremely responsive.'
‘The NRF team has been very supportive with our aircraft deals and always makes sure that we meet the deliverables on time. With their vast experience, we are well informed of standard acceptable market practices and updates in the aviation industry.’
Key clients
- BNP Paribas
- Carlyle Aviation Partners
- Green Shipping Fund (with Prow Capital B.V. as its fund manager)
- HSBC
- Landesbank Baden-Württemberg (LBBW)
- Malaysian Airlines Berhad
- Natixis
- Pembroke Capital Limited
- Philippine Airlines
- PT Pelita Air Service
- RRJ Capital
- Singapore Airlines
- Standard Chartered Bank
- Standard Chartered Bank
- TATA – SIA Airlines Limited
- Yinson Production
Work highlights
- Advised Malaysia Airlines Berhad on the leasing of 25 Boeing 737 MAX 8s under a deal with Air Lease Corporation (ALC).
- Advised Yinson Production on a $1.035 billion senior secured notes issuance.
- Advised subsidiaries of Yinson Holdings Berhad ) in relation to the financing and call option arrangements in respect of a modern, low-emission floating, production, storage and offloading vessel, to be chartered to Enauta Energia S.A. and operated by a subsidiary of Yinson in the Atlanta Field located in the Santos Basin, offshore Brazil.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Edward Bentley
Norton Rose FulbrightLeading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Ben Rose
Norton Rose FulbrightKeith Sandilands
Norton Rose FulbrightNext Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Sue Ann Gan
Norton Rose FulbrightPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Keith Sandilands, Ben Rose