Key areas of expertise for Holland & Knight LLP‘s aviation practice include joint ventures, global insolvencies, and large mergers and asset sales. The team also assists with alternative financing and investment structures in the aviation sector, along with aviation asset-related capital markets deals. Clients further mandate the group to advise on the leasing, financing, purchasing and sale of aircraft, engines and parts. Working between Chicago and New York, Latin America specialist Phillip Durham represents leasing companies in cross-border aviation financings. In San Francisco, Nathan Leavitt focuses on transactions involving airlines that operate in Latin America; Brian Daigle acts for aircraft lessors, airlines and financiers; and the expertise of asset finance specialist Audrey Sung encompasses commercial jet and turboprop aircraft. Over in New York, the practice of aircraft financing and leasing expert John Pritchard includes securitizations; and Richard Furey advises on asset and infrastructure finance. In Miami, Donald Gray’s workload covers aircraft finance transactions, and aerospace commercial and regulatory law; and William Coleman assists with general finance, asset and structured deals. Laura Lewis in New York and San Francisco-based Danielle Santucci are other names to note. In early 2024, commercial aircraft finance specialist Cynthia Liu joined from Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Holland & Knight has a very reputable, dedicated aviation practice, with a deep bench covering trading, leasing, finance, insurance, regulatory, and bankruptcy restructuring.’
‘Extremely pleased with the resources they make available and the quality of their advice.’
‘Holland and Knight’s transport/aviation finance practice area combines specialized knowledge, global reach and a comprehensive set of skills to navigate the intricacies of the aviation industry and provide clients with effective legal solutions in a timely manner.’
‘As a multi-practice law firm, Holland and Knight provides high-level legal advice with a comprehensive vision and deep knowledge of the Latin American market.’
‘Holland and Knight’s lawyers combine legal expertise, effective communication and ethical conduct with a client-centric approach to provide outstanding legal services.’

Key clients

BBAM Aircraft Management LP
AerCap Holdings NV.
Avolon Aerospace Leasing Limited
SMBC Aviation Capital Limited
Aircastle Limited
Merx Aviation
BOC Aviation
CDB Aviation
Orix Aviation
Nordic Aviation Capital

Work highlights

Advised Pegasus Airlines on a first-of-its kind $600m sustainability-linked loan, which was secured by the support of UK Export Finance to fund 10 new Airbus A321neo aircraft.
Represented several creditors in a $500m-plus restructuring with Azul Airlines, which involved the renegotiation and conversion/reprofiling of existing lease liabilities into tradable notes alongside an equity instrument.
Advising several aircraft leasing company clients on the negotiation of insurance settlement agreements, in relation to over 1$bn of leased aircraft.

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John Pritchard

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