Housing ‘one of the premier aviation finance legal practices’, Vedder Price’s client base ranges from major airlines, export credit agencies, operating lessors and asset managers to investment funds, finance companies, and manufacturers and manufacturer finance companies. The team handles the full gamut of aircraft finance deals, with its expertise covering large-value M&A deals, aircraft-related asset-backed securities, and portfolio debt financings. It also assists with structured multi-aircraft financings in the capital markets, sale and leaseback deals, individual aircraft sales, and maintenance, repair and overhaul agreements. In Chicago, Geoffrey Kass is a specialist in aviation sector-related structured financings; Adam Beringer focuses on commercial aircraft finance; Mark Ditto represents operating lessors, commercial banks, finance companies, private equity firms and hedge funds in commercial aircraft and high-value equipment transactions; and Michael Draz is another key aviation finance practitioner. Over in New York, Jeffrey Veber is well known for his work with EXIM Bank on cross-border aircraft leasings; Cameron Gee is ‘one of the best aviation partners around’; and Justine Chilvers advises on an array of cross-border and domestic aircraft finance transactions. Another key adviser is aircraft finance transaction expert Raviv Surpin in Los Angeles.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Vedder Price has one of the premier aviation finance legal practices.’
- ‘A tremendously wide scope of experience that covers all areas of aviation finance and leasing.’
- ‘They are business oriented and seek to find practical solutions.’
- ‘Top-notch aviation law firm with a very experienced and extended bench.’
- ‘Very skilled lawyers, with partners who make themselves available - very good value for money.’
- ‘Jeffrey Veber, Adam Beringer and Geoffrey Kass are key figures in the group. They are knowledgable, practical and business focused.’
- ‘Cameron Gee - a go-to for aviation deals. He is one of the best aviation partners around. He is very knowledgeable, and has great business skills and a strategic mindset. Very, very strong.’
- ‘Justine Chilvers is a rising aviation lawyer partner. Very strong.’
Key clients
- Air Canada
- Aero Capital Solutions
- Azorra
- BBAM Aircraft Management
- Castlelake, L.P.
- Citibank, N.A.
- Export-Import Bank of the United States
- ITE Management
- Macquarie Bank
- Strategic Value Partners LLP
Work highlights
- Represented Macquarie AirFinance in the $2.2bn acquisition and financing of over 50 aircraft from ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Company K.S.C.P.
- Represented Credit Suisse and Natixis (and a syndicate of other lenders) in the $1.5bn upsize and amendment of a revolving warehouse credit facility for VMO Aircraft Leasing and its affiliates.
- Represented Voyager Aviation, as lead M&A and aircraft counsel, in the $900m sale of its aircraft portfolio (as part of a Chapter 11 restructuring process).
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Justine Chilvers
Vedder PricePractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Geoffrey Kass