Legal 500 Uk Aviation
Baker McKenzie LLP`s global aviation group, led by Jennifer Trock of Washington DC, has extensive experience assisting aviation industry clients with complex regulatory matters, investigations, enforcement proceedings, and licensing, among others. The UAS specialist team, led by Trock, regularly represents innovative UAS developers and manufacturers on regulatory issues. The Group is also highly regarded for its advice on regulatory issues relating to the financing of airlines secured by slots, routes and boarding gates. The practice is distinguished by its ability to cooperate with other practice areas such as environmental, labour and tax law, as well as litigation. Paul Hastings LLP regularly represents corporate clients in numerous aviation disaster disputes. The aviation litigation practice is led by Chicago-based Sheila Sundvall, who has outstanding experience representing commercial airlines, manufacturers, aircraft leasing companies and other defendants in assault and wrongful homicide lawsuits. Sundvall has long served General Electric as lead counsel in major aviation accident litigation. “Tim Fox has an eye for detail and exceptional organizational skills in litigation management.” HFW provides aviation advice in a variety of areas, including insurance, insolvency, commercial disputes, financing and leasing, commercial contracts and regulatory mandates. The firm has a broad client base of airlines, manufacturers, airport service providers, leasing companies and small operators.
The firm diversifies its offer beyond claims for aviation insurers to advise them on the restructuring of leasing operations and to intervene in disputes involving high value in litigation. Giles Kavanagh leads the global aerospace team and Edward Spencer is a veteran of aviation insurance and commercial litigation. Zohar Zik has expertise in financing mandates, while Paul Woodley has experience in the insurance industry. Partners Mark Waters and Barbara Pansadoro handle regulatory and commercial aviation matters. “James Clayton is just amazing. He is one of the few lawyers we have worked with who has the magic combination: genuine charm, wit and social skills, combined with a sharp legal mind and the ability to manage a transaction. Cozen O`Connor`s Washington, DC-based practice, regularly acts as a senior regulatory advisor to global aerospace clients on all aviation-related regulatory licensing and compliance matters. Representative expertise includes economic, consumer protection, safety and competition regulations. The company is a one-stop shop for Airlines for America (a trade association of U.S.
airlines representing all major U.S. airlines) for complex aviation regulations. More recently, the team has also helped airlines and airlines comply with regulatory requirements and CARES Act requirements. David Heffernan represents major U.S. and foreign airlines (and their trade associations), airports, air traffic distribution companies, and manufacturers of aircraft, engines, and other equipment before various government agencies. Mark Atwood, who regularly appears before the courts, regulators and Congress, is also an integral part of the practice; and Jonathon Foglia, who joined KMA Zuckert LLC in June 2021 as a partner and advises on compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) economic regulations. At the Senior Partner level, Rachel Welford is an expert on legal, policy and operational issues related to aviation security. Under the leadership of the “highly competent” Roderick Palmer, Hill Dickinson LLP has built a strong offering to lenders and borrowers in the commercial shipping and offshore sectors and has built a growing aerospace offering. The company is also recognised as a “true industry leader” in yachting, an area in which Panos Pourgourides – who leads the team with Palmer – has a thriving practice for banks and ultra-high net worth individuals looking to finance their superyacht acquisitions. “Exceptional expertise in the commercial and regulatory legal framework of the aviation industry.” Fountain Court Chambers is considered “an impressive set and a favourite location for aviation” with expertise in a range of commercial disputes, including new aircraft delivery, leasing and purchase contracts. The set is also experienced in aviation damage with disasters, catastrophic losses and damage.
Akhil Shah KC represented Goshawk in lease disputes involving a Boeing 737 Max. Michael McLaren KC acted on behalf of the Olympic Council of Asia in a claim for damages arising from a contract to purchase a business jet. Bankim Thanki KC and Rosalind Phelps KC are frequently retained by major airlines and regulators, while John Taylor KC represents Ryanair in commercial court proceedings. Giles Robertson focuses on civil fraud and banking issues in this area. Winston & Strawn LLP`s aerospace team focuses on high-profile, high-margin litigation, in addition to regulatory and commercial matters. The company advises on key developments impacting the industry, including Russian sanctions, the grounded fleet and the transition of LIBOR. Mark Moody, an expert in international aviation litigation, leads the practice with the assistance of Ben Bruton. “The expertise of the Clifford Chance team is second to none. They have unparalleled geographic coverage with asset-focused lawyers in most major jurisdictions. They have experience in all aspects of aviation financing and leasing, as well as strong capabilities in marine and rail transportation, with a focus on the most complex transactions. The extensive team at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP regularly represents major airlines in the United States and around the world. “Highly responsive, knowledgeable and trustworthy” regulatory practice includes administrative decisions, enforcement, litigation, aircraft leasing, and aviation safety and certification issues.
The Unit also assists with accident investigations and employment issues and has a robust range of unmanned aircraft systems. Co-Director Charles Donley has enviable experience in licensing, law enforcement and flight operations, and Co-Director Josh Romanow works for airlines in Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and global travel companies. In Los Angeles, Thomas Liu represents aviation clients in labour disputes, while Special Counsel Laura Jennings Ochoa also has extensive aviation and air transport experience. All of these attorneys are based in the Washington DC office, unless otherwise noted. “The team is still very commercial, but clearly with a solid foundation in the legal aspects. Lawyers are practical and proactive and always know our priorities and work hard to close deals. “I work with people and not with a pure company, which is essential in the aviation industry. It is a matter of people.
The team is made up of great people that I enjoy working with in addition to the company name. “HFW is clearly an expert in the aviation sector. From the beginning, I was convinced that they had extensive experience in dealing with complex legal issues in this area. I am very grateful that this practice was recommended to me. Arnold & Porter has a multidisciplinary group of experienced lawyers working in the commercial, cargo and business aircraft sectors. She regularly advises national, international and regional clients in a variety of commercial and transnational disputes, including jury and non-jury trials. The practice is considered a focal point for crisis incidents, its recent experience includes litigation due to COVID-19 outbreaks on international cruise ships in early 2020. He has also been active recently in U.S. cabin air pollution litigation involving flight attendants and commercial air passengers. Christopher Odell, whose history includes major transportation-related mass crime cases, leads the aviation practice, while Kenneth Chernof in Washington DC and James Herschlein in New York co-chair the complex litigation group.
