Following the addition of several team members from Milbank, including partner James Cameron, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP’s aviation financing offering is steadily growing. The team has experience advising on EETC matters, warehouse financing, and asset portfolio sales. Madalyn Miller, in New York, leads the team.

Clifford Chance’s aviation and air financing offering advises on a broad range of leasing matters, aviation capital market transactions, and ECA financing mandates. Alongside this, the team is particularly well-regarded for its work handling acquisition financing and a range of aircraft portfolio management matters. The group frequently acts for investment banks, government entities, and operating lessors, both domestically and internationally. Practice head Zarrar Sehgal, based in New York, has extensive experience advising on the acquisitions and dispositions of leasing companies and large portfolios of aircraft assets. Emily Wicker works alongside him, where she is well placed to navigate a range of restructuring transactions and secure lending and leasing mandates. Another key member of the team is John Howitt, who specializes in domestic and multi-jurisdictional operating leases, as well as being equipped to handle domestic and Latin American debt restructurings. Likewise, Benjamin Fisher is a notable name for multi-jurisdictional mandates, including advising on a broad range of secured and unsecured debt financing and wider financing solutions.

Holland & Knight’s Aircraft Finance team advises a comprehensive and diverse clientele, including aircraft leasing companies, international airlines, and government guarantors. The group has been particularly active in bankruptcy proceedings in the last year, including representing just under half of the aircraft lessors in Spirit Airlines’ $2.4 billion Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding. The group is also active on a range of debt restructurings, securitizations, and sale transactions. The team is also active in the Latin American Market, representing large lessors in the region. Jointly based between Chicago and New York, team head Phillip Durham continues to advise on high-value transactions, such as advising on the new customized VIP A321 neo-Airbus that is to be leased to the NBA. Working alongside is John Pritchard, based in New York, who is highly regarded for his wide range of expertise in asset-based financing within the sector. For international and U.S domestic asset and infrastructure financing, Richard Furey is a key contact. Nathan Leavitt is well placed to handle matters for commercial aircraft lessors. In Dallas, Cynthia Liu is engaged in commercial aircraft financing matters, and in San Francisco, Danielle Santucci focuses on a range of commercial transactions.

The transportation and space group at Milbank regularly handles market-leading aviation-related transactions, including loyalty program financings, acquisition and warehouse financings, private placements, and unsecured facilities amongst other matters. Its work handling aviation ABS transactions is particularly noted. Based in New York, Drew Fine and Alexandra Johnson co-head the practice. Fine is recognised for his extensive experience working with EETCs, ABS, M&A transactions and restructurings, often taking on high complexity matters. Johnson leads the practice globally, handling both domestic deals and work spanning the UK, Asia, and Latin America. For aviation capital markets work, Jim Pascale is particularly recommended, based in New York and representing banks, leasing companies, equity participants and hedge funds as well as airline clients. Also in New York, Freyda Mechlowicz is sought out for her advice on large financing facilities for aircraft leasing companies and financial institutions.

Headed by Geoffrey Kass in Chicago, the aviation finance team at Vedder handles a broad array of aircraft finance transactions, including M&A matters, portfolio debt financing, and structured multi-aircraft financing in capital markets. In particular, the group is well-placed to handle export credit-based agency financing transactions for a range of aircraft operating lessors, airlines, and commercial banks. Kass is frequently engaged by a diverse client base, including manufacturers and equity participants, where he advises on a range of domestic and cross-border leveraged leases and financings. Cameron Gee works alongside Kass in Chicago, often handling securitization and warehouse financing matters. Raviv Surpin, in Miami, is another notable name, recently working on a high-value direct purchase agreement for 40 planes. New York-based Jeffrey Veber is the key contact for international companies, with extensive experience in cross-border leverage leases. Justine Chilvers, also in New York, remains active, advising on acquisitions. In Dallas, Adam Beringer continues to be engaged by hedge funds and aircraft investors in capital market transactions and distressed debt transactions. John T. Bycraft retired in December 2024.

Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP's aviation finance practice represents a diverse clientele in the aircraft leasing, financial institutions, and airline sectors. The team is well-equipped to handle a range of EETC financing matters, aviation-related M&A transactions, as well as aviation bankruptcies and workouts. At the helm of the team is Steven Chung, based in Washington, DC. Chung is recognized for his expertise in domestic and cross-border leveraged lease transactions and structured equipment financings. Also in DC, Andrew Fowler is a key contact for high-value transactions, as well as advising on IPOs, venture financings, and wider private equity and debt matters. Frequently engaged by financial institutions and corporate clients, Miami’s Mark Denham has experience in advising on distressed debt portfolio acquisitions and restructurings. Walter Song is another notable name on the team in DC, where he advises on aircraft securitizations and financing for carriers.

Representing a diverse client base, including a range of commercial banks, equity investors, and leading airlines, Norton Rose Fulbright’s US aviation finance team remains a firm choice for operating leases and wider aviation M&A work. Beyond this, the team is also well-placed to handle a broad spectrum of aviation financing mandates, including loan portfolios, revolving credit facilities, and leaseback transactions. The group continues to grow its Latin American presence, notably advising LATAM airlines on a sustainability financing matter and a range of loan agreements. Jointly leading the team are Alyssa Marie Vazquez and Fiona Henderson, both based in New York. Vazquez has extensive experience advising both lenders and borrowers in domestic and cross-border transactions. Henderson is dual qualified in New York and England and Wales, making her a key contact for English Law cross-border transactions. Working alongside them is Ryan Apar, whose recent highlights include advising on a Chapter 11 exit financing mandate.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP’s aviation finance offering includes debt financing, portfolio sales, and aircraft procurement. Alongside this, the wider asset finance team has experience in Islamic and Export Credit Agency-supported financings, demonstrating the firm’s strong cross-border practice. In New York, team lead Mark Lessard has extensive experience handling capital market transactions and multi-jurisdictional investments in the aviation space. Melissa Jones-Prus is another notable name in the New York team, frequently handling a wide range of aircraft-backed debt and equity transactions for lessors, asset managers, and airlines, as well as having experience advising in insolvency proceedings, including bankruptcies. Further strengthening the New York practice, Pat Reisinger is recommended for his work in asset-backed financing, portfolio sales, and wider aviation sales. Richard Evans, based in Los Angeles, is dual-qualified in California and England & Wales and has recently been working on a range of asset-backed securitization transactions.

Baker Botts L.L.P.’s aviation financing offering includes advising on a wide range of acquisitions, leasing arrangements, and aircraft operation mandates. Alongside this, the group is well-placed to handle tax matters in this space, with specialist tax lawyers working within the team. It advises a diverse range of clients, such as private equity firms and commercial banks, with key clients including Petrus Aviation and Walkers LLP. New York-based Jonathan Goldstein has extensive experience advising on bankruptcy workouts, leveraged financing, and creating structured finance vehicles. He leads the team alongside Dallas-based Samantha Hale Crispin, Luke Weedon, and Houston-based Natasha Khan.

With a particular strength representing international and airlines, the team at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP remains active, advising on aircraft financing, airport infrastructure development, and fleet purchases. Recent highlights for the team include acting as fleet counsel in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding and representing a client in an equity investment proceeding. New York-based Brian Liu heads the practice, where he is engaged by high-profile clients like American Airlines and Spirit Airlines in a range of matters, including enhanced equipment trust certificates and secured notes issuances. For representation of fund sponsors and project companies, Michael McGuigan is a notable name, whose experience includes working on major U.S infrastructure projects, including the redevelopment of JFK International Airport. Iryna Nikolaieva continues to be a key member of the team, advising on a range of domestic and international financing projects. Former team head, Paul Brusiloff, has retired.

With extensive experience in aircraft leasing, aviation financing, and repair transactions, the team at Husch Blackwell LLP continues to advise commercial airlines, manufacturers, and corporate flight departments, frequently being engaged by American Airlines. Practice head David Agee, based in Springfield, Missouri, has significant experience handling airport leasing development alongside advising on the transactions of unmanned aircraft systems. Also in Springfield, Michael Cosby is a key contact for federal and state tax issues in this sector. In Washington, DC, Lana Yaghi is highly regarded for her cross-border work- providing counsel on a range of operational establishment and commercial arrangement matters. Whitney Lopez, in Dallas, is frequently engaged in a broad array of restructurings, organizational guidance, and procurement-related contracts. Amanda Tummons and Lauren Hawkins in Springfield and Chris Sundberg in Denver round out the team.

With strength in representing lender clients, the aviation finance team at K&L Gates remains active, advising on a range of financing transactions, with recent highlights including advising on bilateral and syndicated financing to US companies. The group also has experience handling aerospace matters, advising manufacturers in this sector. In Orange County, Amanda Darling is particularly noted for her work in the Japanese market, where she has experience advising on a broad range of Japanese financing and leasing transactions. Milos Kovacevic, in Seattle, is a key contact for sustainable financing, recently advising on one of the first green JOLCOs. Robert Melson leads the team from Tokyo.

With a particular strength in aviation infrastructure financing, the team at O'Melveny advises a diverse range of clients, including US passenger and cargo airlines, investors, and airport operators. Another area of expertise for the team is equipment financing, as well as wider M&A work within the aviation space, with recent work in this sector including advising on aircraft-backed securitizations and on a high-value term loan facility for the acquisition of 24 aircraft. Jason Kaplan helms the group from New York, where he is well placed to manage a range of structured equipment financings, secured notes issuances, and wider aviation restructurings. In Los Angeles, Eric Richards is regarded for his work within wider transport infrastructure, with particular experience working on airport development projects. Also in LA, Elizabeth Dubeck is a key contact for mandates involving the privatization of government-owned assets.

The Aviation and Airlines Industry team at Sidley Austin LLP continues to advise clients on a broad array of matters, including managing fleet transactions, bankruptcy proceedings, and wider aviation real estate mandates. The group also has extensive experience supporting clients with sustainability-linked matters, including advising United Airlines on its Sustainable Flight FundSM. In Dallas, Bart Biggers has significant experience in restructurings as well as aircraft leasing transactions. He leads the team alongside Houston-based Kevin Lewis, who is well-placed to advise on senior note issuances. Also in Houston, Atman Shukla is not only a key contact for sustainable aviation but also has expertise in airline M&A transactions. For equity investment mandates, Grant Ellis in Dallas is a notable name, and Eduardo Marquez Certucha in Houston rounds out the team.

Advising a diverse range of investment banks, airlines, aircraft leasing companies, and private investors, the aviation finance team at Vinson & Elkins LLP continues to handle a broad range of securitizations, restructurings, and portfolio trades.  The team is led by David Berkery, who is tri-qualified in New York, England & Wales, and Ireland. Berkery is well-versed in managing formal and informal restuturings and the financing of warehouse facilities. Demi Hueth works alongside him, where she frequently works on asset-backed and structured financings, and is the first port of call in the team for fund financing matters. Megan Hardy is a key name for lenders and aircraft lessors, andvLary Yau is a notable name for private equity firms. Rounding out the team is Rob Tusch, whose practice focuses on transactional matters. The team is based in New York. Niels Jensen left the team in March 2025.

Fielding an international team, the aviation finance offering at Watson Farley & Williams (New York) LLP is diverse, advising on a range of acquisitions, complex financings, and Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. The group is also continuously growing its sustainability offering, recently working with banks to independently measure their aviation lending portfolios’ emissions as well as advising on the EU Taxonomy for aviation. Based in New York, Philip Jackmauh is a key name for aircraft lessors, commercial airlines, and financiers. Qualified to practice in England & Wales, New York, and California, Dominic Pearson has extensive experience handling asset-backed securitizations alongside wider portfolio financings. Susanne Burstein left the firm in August 2025, Julia Sim departed the team in February 2026.

The team at White & Case LLP continues to advise on a range of aviation finance matters, including EETC transactions, aircraft leasing, export credit-supported financing, and manufacturer financing. The group is well placed to provide counsel to a diverse clientele, supporting major airlines, aviation companies, and cargo carriers. The team draws on its wider global network, handling a broad range of cross-border matters involving tax, restructuring mandates, and bankruptcy matters. Christian Hansen heads the practice, splitting his time between Miami and Mexico City, where he has experience advising state-owned export credit agencies. Miami-based Anna Andreeva is well-versed in advising on ECA, AFIC-supported, and PDP financing. In New York, Todd Wolynski advises on a range of security offerings, portfolio acquisitions, and vendor finance matters.