Vedder Price
Vedder Price has a wealth of experience advising leasing companies and airlines on operating lease transactions across Southeast Asia Pacific as well as Japan, South Korea, and India, counting a large number of well-known lessors as its key clients. Praised for its 'pragmatic and market-driven approach' and leveraging its strong ties with its US offices, the team is well-equipped to advise on English and New York law and on cross-border financing transactions as well as operating lease restructurings for airliners. The team is jointly led by Singapore-based Ji Woon Kim who is 'armed with global and in-depth knowledge and experience in the aviation industry', notably in transactions, financings, JOLCOs, and sales and leasebacks, and Geoffrey Kass who is based in its Chicago office.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Ji Kim is not only a lawyer, but he is also a brilliant businessman. He is qualified for English and New York law, which is a big advantage in the aviation sector.’
‘The Vedder Singapore team is tight-knit and led with paternal authority by Ji Woon Kim, who ensures he's on top of all his associates' matters to provide guidance and leadership as needed. The associates are all very capable and incredibly hard-working!’
‘Vedder Price is commercially oriented, very client-focused, and is able to offer a pragmatic, market-driven approach to the legal advice they offer.’
‘I have been working with the Vedder Price team since 2018. Ever since Vedder Price has been one of my preferred law firms. They are very professional, swift on execution, commercial mind,ed and goal-oriented. ’
‘Ji Woon Kim is the partner I have collaborated with over the past 5 years on multiple transactions. He is very knowledgeable and emphasizing deliverables, highly trustworthy with high integrity.’
‘The Vedder Price Singapore practice's regional expertise and vast know-how in all aspects of aircraft financing transactions make it unique. This includes, among other areas of expertise: drafting and negotiating aircraft leases, loan agreements, subleases, charter and wet lease agreements, sale and purchase agreements, aircraft/engine warranty and MRO agreements, aircraft registration and deregistration documentation. Additionally, Vedder Price Singapore's practice boasts expertise in restructurings, compliance, and sanctions issues, LIBOR remediation, and Cape Town convention queries and has mastered the legal and logistical issues that banks, ECAs, airlines, security and indenture trustees and operating lessors face in aircraft finance transactions.’
‘Vedder Price Singapore is the legal counsel I would recommend working within any aviation deal.'
- 'Ji Woon Kim is a solution provider with a partnership mindset, who is armed with global and in-depth knowledge and experience in the aviation industry.’
Key clients
- AerDragon Aviation Leasing
- BBAM
- BNP Paribas
- Castlelake
- CDB Aviation
- Citi Private Bank
- Export-Import Bank of the United States
- ING Bank
- Jackson Square Aviation
- KEB Hana Bank
- Korea Development Bank
- MUFG
- Nordic Aviation Capital
- NordLB
- SMBC Aviation Capital
- ST Engineering Aerospace Resources Pte. Ltd.
- UBS AG
- VMIC Co., Ltd.
- Woori Bank
Work highlights
- Advised the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank) in connection with two separate ECA-supported financings of a total of four 737MAX aircraft for Korean Air Lines involving ING Bank (for two aircraft) and Natixis/TD Bank (for two aircraft).
- Acted for MUFG on the back-leveraged financing for two (2) A220 aircraft on lease to Air Baltic.
- Advised KDB Bank on the finance lease transaction for Korean Air Lines and Bank of Communications Financial Leasing for two (2) B737 aircraft.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Geoffrey R. Kass (Chicago), Ji Woon Kim