A&O Shearman maintains a firm position in the aviation finance and leasing market, advising a diverse range of global lessors, airlines, and financial institutions on high-profile, sophisticated transactions. The team is known for its capabilities across asset acquisitions, portfolio sales, sustainability-linked credit facilities, Islamic finance, restructurings, and repossessions. The practice is co-led by Paul Nelson, who brings extensive experience across aviation and shipping, with a focus on operating leases, secured and unsecured financings, M&A, and capital markets work. Kevin Young, also co-heading the team, is active across the aviation, shipping, and rail sectors, advising on securitisations, leasing and chartering structures, and aircraft acquisitions. Jonathan Bevan brings further expertise in the rail sector, advising on debt financing and the acquisition and disposal of rolling stock. Harry Upcott left the firm in July 2025.

Clifford Chance LLP is widely recognised for its expertise in complex aviation finance transactions, including portfolio financings, sale and leaseback arrangements, aircraft acquisitions, and export credit agency-supported financing. Beyond aviation, the firm brings significant strength in maritime and rail finance, advising on vessel acquisitions, shipping transactions, and rail fleet financings. Oliver Hipperson, a specialist in the financing, sale, and leasing of heavy transport assets in the aviation and maritime spaces, leads the asset finance group. Ranbir Hunjan focuses on aviation and rail leasing and debt financing transactions, while Richard Evans adeptly advises on a variety of aviation financing structures, including unsecured term loans and structured capital markets deals. Paul Carrington plays a leading role in major restructurings, aircraft portfolio sales, and cross-border financings. Lara Attarzadeh is a trusted advisor on airline and engine financings, aircraft sales and acquisitions, as well as M&A and joint venture transactions.

Norton Rose Fulbright advises leading financial institutions, airlines, lessors, and investors on complex aviation and asset finance matters worldwide. The practice also boasts significant maritime expertise, advising on cruise and vessel financings, export credit-backed transactions, and strategic fleet expansions in the shipping sector. The ‘five-star team’ is co-headed by Simon Hartley, a specialist in shipping finance with a strong focus on lending and leasing transactions in the cruise sector. Fellow practice co-lead Duncan Batchelor concentrates on aircraft leasing and structured finance, with particular expertise regarding syndicated loans, restructurings, and securitisations. Eleanor Martin predominantly advises on vessel financing, while also bringing valuable experience in deep-sea mining, aviation, and aerospace asset finance. Will Alete offers additional proficiency in aviation finance, including aircraft sales and purchases, leasing arrangements, and export credit agency-backed financings. Matthew Bambury handles shipping finance and structured leasing transactions, while Georgie Field supports aircraft acquisitions and disposals, spare engine leases, and sustainability-linked structured financings.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP handles high-value, cross-border finance and restructuring matters across the aviation, rail, and maritime sectors. The team's expertise includes complex debt structures, M&A, asset acquisitions, regulatory compliance, leasing, and capital raises. The practice is co-led by Jim Bell, who advises financiers, lessors, and operators on structured and asset finance in the aviation sector. Also co-heading the team, George Macheras is a specialist in all aspects of shipping finance, including restructurings, loan portfolio transfers, and the sale, purchase, and leasing of maritime assets. Managing partner Lindsey Keeble is actively involved in structured finance and leasing matters within the maritime sector, while Louise Mor advises major banks, corporates, and operators on rail and aviation finance transactions. Chris Mitchell is a ‘true expert’ on a wide range of aviation matters, including aircraft trading, fleet procurement contracts, and complex cross-border asset finance transactions. Randeep Bubbra joined the team in 2024.

Holland & Knight (UK) LLP is regularly retained by investment managers, banks, financial institutions, and leasing companies to advise on high-value aviation and shipping finance transactions. The team also assists in restructurings and insolvencies, including U.S. Chapter 11 proceedings and sanctions-related issues, and handles lease terminations, asset sales, insurance recoveries, and enforcement strategies. Practice head Victoria Koob brings deep expertise in the transportation sector, advising on cross-border aircraft and helicopter financings, operating and finance leases, fleet acquisitions and disposals, and delivery and pre-delivery payment structures. Richard Sharman’s aviation finance practice encompasses secured financing, asset portfolio trades, leasing, secondary debt trades, and securitisation. Debra Erni, recognised for her ‘commercial mindset and practical approach’, focuses on aviation platform M&A, restructurings, and asset repossessions. Michael Holt has in-depth knowledge of equity and debt fund formation, joint ventures, and aircraft portfolio sales and acquisitions. Robert Ricketts retired from the firm in 2024.

Praised for its ‘depth of specialist aircraft leasing and finance experience’, Milbank advises on a broad spectrum of matters, including debt and lease financings, sale and leasebacks, portfolio acquisitions and disposals, and structured financings for commercial and corporate aircraft. The team offers expertise to lenders, lessors, borrowers, airlines, and investors in security enforcement, repossessions, distressed debt, and restructuring. Following James Cameron‘s recent departure, Nick Swinburne now leads the transportation and space practice, overseeing aircraft, satellite, and asset-backed transactions, including acquisitions, disposals, restructurings, and repossessions. Swinburne is supported by Andy McAdam, who advises on structured and novel aircraft and asset-backed deals, and the ‘outstanding’ Harriet Rugg-Easey, who leads on cross-border M&A, distressed debt, and restructuring work for aviation clients.

Renowned for its maritime finance capability, Reed Smith LLP counsels banks, financial institutions, shipowners, and private equity sponsors on loan facilities, refinancing, warehouse financings, and vessel sale and purchase transactions. The team also handles aviation finance mandates concerning aircraft and engine acquisitions, leasing structures, subleases, and platform formations. The practice is led by Richard Hakes, a particular specialist in the financing, leasing, trading, and repackaging of maritime assets. Rob Wilkins is proficient in debt finance, restructurings, workouts, and distressed loan trading within the shipping industry, while fellow shipping advisor Philip Rymer focuses on acquisitions and disposals, sale and leaseback transactions, and joint venture arrangements. Christopher Jackson strengthens the team’s expertise in aviation finance and leasing. Andrew Harper offers experience in aviation and rail financing, including debt financings, export credit agency-supported transactions, and tax-based lease structures.

With a strong foothold in the transportation sector, Stephenson Harwood advises shipowners, airlines, financial institutions, and energy companies on cross-border financings, restructurings, asset sales, and lease arrangements. In aviation, the team handles aircraft acquisitions, sales and leasebacks, and leasing structures; its maritime practice covers vessel sales and purchases, fleet restructurings, and offshore asset financing; and its rail leasing experience includes passenger and freight rolling stock transactions and lease structures. The practice is co-led by Tammy Samuel, who focuses on rail franchising and infrastructure projects, and Suzanne Tarplee, a rail finance expert with deep experience in rolling stock procurement and regulatory compliance. Ian Mace is active in maritime finance, advising on sale and leasebacks and ECA-backed offshore loan structures, and Richard Parsons leads on aircraft asset transactions, including acquisition, financing, leasing, and disposal. James Collins is also engaged in aviation financing, leasing, and trading, while Jonathan Ward handles prominent shipping finance mandates, particularly in cross-border restructurings. Maritime asset finance partners Peter Theochari and Linda Roxburgh joined the firm in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

Vedder Price has extensive experience handling transactions involving commercial aircraft, railways, cruise ships, and offshore drilling assets. The team frequently advises banks, lessors, operators, and leasing platforms on pre-delivery payment financings, structured finance facilities, sale and leasebacks, and joint venture arrangements. Gavin Hill advises on the financing, leasing, and acquisition of aircraft and engines worldwide. Neil Poland, a commercial aviation finance specialist, brings significant expertise in restructurings, joint ventures, operating leases, and fund products, while Dylan Potter focuses on maritime financing, leasing, and capital markets matters. Derek Watson has a broad, cross-sector practice, with a particular emphasis on aircraft financing, leasing, and sales and purchases. Bill Gibson is another key figure with deep commercial aviation expertise, offering experience in the financing and leasing of rolling stock.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner has a strong track record in the rail sector, advising on significant rolling stock procurements, leasing arrangements, and fleet re-leasing matters involving both franchised and open-access operators. In addition to its rail work, the team advises aviation sector clients on helicopter and aircraft leasing, subleasing, and cross-border relocations. The practice is led by Russell Clifford, who focuses on rail financing and leasing and has experience across a wide range of financing structures, including structured debt facilities, tax-based and non-tax-based leases, limited recourse financing, asset portfolio transactions, and securitisations. Jason Chamberlain brings extensive rail industry experience, particularly in railway passenger franchising and concessions. Jamie Wiseman-Clarke specialises in rolling stock leasing, procurement, and finance, while Anton Chambers leads the firm’s aviation finance work, focusing on cross-border asset transactions and restructurings.

A go-to practice for high-stakes aviation and maritime deals, Clyde & Co offers advice on financings, leasing, restructurings, and M&A. The team is co-led by Norman Fraser, who brings standout expertise in the acquisition, financing, and trading of large aircraft portfolios, and the ‘professional and thorough’ Mark Bisset, whose commercial aviation experience spans loan and lease financing, operating leases, tax-based structures, and export credit-supported deals. The ‘reliable and impressive’ Nicholas Harding bolsters the team with his knowhow on finance, leasing, sale and purchase, and fleet procurement transactions across all types of commercial aircraft.

Dentons advises major aviation clients on a wide range of aircraft, helicopter, and engine financing, leasing, and restructuring matters. This work includes sales and leasebacks, JOLCO unwinds, the refinancing of secured and unsecured facilities, delayed redelivery disputes, and the establishment of leasing structures. The team is led by Sarah Dyke, whose practice spans aviation, shipping, and vehicle financing mandates, with particular experience in operating leases and portfolio transfers, and Stephen Temple, who advises on complex aircraft financing and leasing transactions, frequently involving international sanctions considerations. James Francis also focuses on various aspects of aircraft financing. Longstanding partners Serge Sergiou and Paul Holland have retired from the firm.

HFW is a trusted advisor to banks, financial institutions, shipowners, and operators on a plethora of maritime finance transactions. The team frequently handles vessel acquisitions and financing, loan facilities, lease structures, sale and leasebacks, and refinancing arrangements. It covers both traditional and alternative financing, including pre- and post-delivery financing, JOLCOs, and shareholder loans. The practice is jointly led by David Brotherton, who advises aircraft lessors on portfolio trading, financing, and leasing, and shipping finance expert Adam Shire, who focuses on syndicated, bilateral, and club loans, as well as the sale, purchase, and registration of ships and yachts. Gudmund Bernitz brings particular skill in shipping, offshore, and export financings, restructurings, workouts, and enforcements. Rebecca Quayle handles aviation sales and leasebacks, engine operating leasing, spare part financing, export credit transactions, and commercial finance arrangements.  Barbara Pansadoro recently left the practice.

Addleshaw Goddard advises on high-value, politically and commercially sensitive transport and infrastructure projects across the rail, maritime, and logistics sectors. The team is ‘a natural choice’ for complex rolling stock procurements, fleet leasing arrangements, public tender processes, and strategic asset acquisitions and disposals. The practice is led by Simon Gwynne, who advises on structured financings and portfolio transactions across rail, shipping, and aviation; Ed Watt, based in Edinburgh, who focuses on major maritime projects, including vessel construction, fleet renewal, asset restructuring, and marine investments; and Andrew Maskill in Manchester, who assists on a broad range of asset finance and leasing matters, including lease structuring, receivables and vendor finance, lease portfolios, and tax issues. Newcomer Barbara Pansadoro advises on the sale and purchase of corporate jets, along with maintenance and lease contracts.

CMS advises on financial structures and cross-border projects across the rail and aviation transport sectors. The practice is led by Tim Elliott, who specialises in debt and leasing transactions spanning the aircraft, shipping, and offshore marine industries, with an emphasis on financings and portfolio sales. Gwen Edwards advises lenders, lessors, borrowers, and airlines on cross-border aircraft debt and lease transactions, including repossessions and restructurings. The 'highly competent' Katie Duffield provides expertise on structured and rolling stock financings in the transport sector, while Neha Arora brings 'precision and commercial pragmatism' to aircraft loan and lease financings.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher continues to expand its aviation finance capabilities, with a strong presence in Western and key Asian markets. The team advises top-tier lenders, lessors, private equity sponsors, and airlines on aircraft and engine financings, securitisations, sale and leasebacks, and restructurings. The team is led by newly appointed asset finance veteran James Cameron, an expert across the aviation, maritime, and rail sectors. Further additions include Tom Jackson and Mark Leverkus, who bring significant experience in complex, cross-border aviation transactions, including portfolio acquisitions and disposals, structured and warehouse facilities, and distressed and restructuring matters.

K&L Gates LLP identifies aviation finance as one of its core domains, advising on sale and leasebacks, limited-recourse financings, and operating lease restructurings. The team is led by Peter O’Hare, who focuses on aircraft acquisitions, financings, and leasing transactions, alongside Philip Perrotta, whose work spans commercial and business aircraft and aero engine financings. Matthew Pawlak brings a strong understanding of the financing, leasing, and trading of both commercial aircraft and business jets.

Linklaters LLP provides expert counsel on cross-border financing and leasing transactions within the aviation and maritime sectors. The practice advises clients on a wide range of financial matters, including acquisitions and financing, restructurings, capital markets, and green financing solutions. Following Olga Petrovic’s departure in April 2025, Caroline Courtney assumed the role of practice head. Courtney brings extensive experience in aviation matters, including capital markets, restructurings, and insolvencies, and also advises on portfolio acquisitions, financing, chartering, and M&A transactions in the maritime sector. Aviation specialist David Murphy participates in structured loans, lease financings, export credit-backed financings, securitisations, and restructurings.

Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP has built a stellar reputation for its work on major aviation transactions worldwide. Practice heads and UK managing partners Ben Graham-Evans and Mark Turnbull specialise in aircraft finance matters, covering the buying, selling, and leasing of commercial aircraft, engines, and parts. Aviation expert Adrian Beasley further strengthens the practice with his work on ECA-supported financings, sale and leaseback transactions, operating leases, tax-based structures, and commercial lending. Rachel Thomasen is a notable advisor among lessors and both debt and equity financiers, while William Cusack and Anastasia Katsea are further key contacts.

Freeths LLP supports rail leasing, public sector transport, and infrastructure companies with the financing and leasing of new rolling stock. The practice is led by Tom Johnson, who has particular experience in rolling stock procurement, leasing, maintenance, franchising, and financing, and Michael Bray, who focuses on development and regeneration schemes, particularly those involving transport hubs.

Demonstrating particular expertise in the aviation sector, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP works across leasing, financing, acquisitions, and restructurings. The practice is led by Sidanth Rajagopal, who advises clients on financing, leasing, acquisitions, restructurings, and repossessions involving commercial and business aircraft. Manuela Krach contributes her expertise to the acquisition, sale, leasing, and financing of aircraft, engines, and corporate jets. Laura Crilly, who joined in September 2024, focuses on structured financing and aviation portfolio transactions.

With a sharp command of the global transport finance market, O'Melveny plays a central role in shaping high-value transactions across the aviation sector, advising airlines, lessors, trustees, banks, and private equity investors on all facets of aviation and equipment finance. A key contact is the ‘commercially focused’ and ‘outcome-driven’ Patrick Brophy, whose practice spans cross-border financing, structured transactions, securitisation, and the leasing and trading of aircraft.

Wikborg Rein is a prominent player in the aviation and maritime spaces. The practice is led by the ‘hands-on’ Jonathan Page, whose expertise lies in the financing, structuring, and execution of maritime projects, particularly concerning shipbuilding, chartering, and sale and leasebacks. Beatrice Russ brings deep experience in cross-border financings, with a strong track record across both the shipping and the aviation sectors.

Greenberg Traurig, LLP offers key advisors on UK rolling stock and depot transactions and frequently acts on high-value procurements, leasing platforms, and infrastructure financings. Practice head Graeme McLellan is a specialist in the rail sector, demonstrating deep knowhow in the structuring and financing of rolling-stock procurements, depot developments, and international rail projects.

Hill Dickinson LLP advises clients across industries including shipping and maritime, banking and finance, and tourism and travel on complex cross-border ship sale and leaseback transactions. The practice is led by Panos Pourgourides, a specialist in large-scale yacht finance, alongside Roderick Palmer, who focuses on commercial shipping and shipbuilding finance. Recent arrivals include shipping transaction and offshore specialist Mark Johnson, Dominic Bulfin and Ellen Sofie Lokholm.

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP advises on a broad spectrum of cross-border matters, including aircraft and engine leasing, repossessions, enforcement actions, and complex sale and purchase transactions. The practice is led by Alan Cunningham, who specialises in the purchase, sale, leasing, and financing of corporate aviation assets, and Richard Skipper, who focuses on aviation debt financing, operating leases, and export credit-backed financing.

Kennedys specialises in advising major airline clients on complex aircraft operating lease restructurings, extensions, and financing transactions, standing out for its 'deep industry knowledge, commercial approach, and responsiveness'. Acclaimed by clients for his knowledge and 'calm, solution-oriented approach', practice head Adam Longney brings knowhow in aircraft financing and leasing, including advising on contract negotiations and distress and insolvency situations.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP advises public and private sector clients on all aspects of rolling stock procurement, leasing, maintenance, and contract negotiations and variations. Department head David Rewcastle provides support to operators and stakeholders across rail financing, leasing, procurement, maintenance, and digital service agreements. Further key contacts include the ‘experienced’ Paul Coleman and Joseph Causer.