Aviation: Finance
Global Guide 2024 : Asia-Pacific Region
Band 4
Contact number
+81 3 6205 3600Chambers Review
K&L Gates's aviation finance group demonstrates strength by advising on aircraft financing and leasing transactions in the Asia-Pacific region. Resources are available across various offices, such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney, with particular strength in Tokyo. The team has an established presence in cross-border aircraft portfolio acquisition and financing deals. The team is notable for acting for lessors, airlines and banks, with a focus on Japanese clients. K&L Gates is further noted for its experience in JOLCO structures and for asset-backed securitisation matters. Its restructuring expertise complements the firm's aviation finance team and bolsters its cross-border capabilities.
Work Highlights
- K&L Gates advised JP Lease on New York, Japanese and English law aspects on the creation of a warehouse facility to its subsidiaries to fund new aircraft deliveries into the US market and to refinance existing loans for aircraft less than two years old in the European and US markets.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"K&L Gates is our first choice for any complex and sophisticated aviation legal finance matters."
"Their aviation finance team has a strong global team that can work around the clock and are very effective advisers."
"K&L Gates is our first choice for any complex and sophisticated aviation legal finance matters."
"Their aviation finance team has a strong global team that can work around the clock and are very effective advisers."
Notable Practitioners
Samuel Kolehmainen is active in handling a variety of transactions, advising on loan facility agreements, lease restructuring, debt financing and asset-backed securitisation.
"He has excellent expertise on aviation."
"He's not afraid of telling his clients when they can improve their operations. He is a good business partner."
Robert Melson is based in Tokyo and is recognised as an established aviation finance specialist, who often acts for lessors on aircraft leasings and financings.
"He's an experienced aviation lawyer with good commercial understanding and strong leadership."
"Bob Melson is one of the most reliable lawyers working with us."
"He's an extremely excellent leader, not just of the team, but also of the industry. He's very supportive and reliable in handling all the complicated issues."