BLAKE LAPTHORN'S AIRCRAFT FINANCE TEAM EXPANDS WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF THREE

Blake Lapthorn is pleased to announce the appointment of a team of three to its existing Aircraft Finance team, within the Aviation group, as part of its ongoing expansion plans.

The appointment comprises partner David Daws, solicitor Chris Knott and Niall Daws, a paralegal.

David, previously of IWG Daws LLP, currently advises the world’s leading global operating lessor and operator of commercial helicopters, on all aspects of the financing, delivery and operation of its portfolio, including new deliveries.

David has extensive experience in UK and international tax-based and non tax-based leasing, operating leases and hybrid structures. He has experience with multi jurisdictional leasing, hire purchase, conditional sale and other forms of finance arrangements, and has established offshore captive groups and purpose trust structures incorporating third party equity. He has also has established master finance facilities for multiple commercial aircraft including facilities utilising export credit support or loan finance.

Comments David: “I am delighted that my team and I have the opportunity to join the Aircraft Finance team at Blake Lapthorn. As the firm continues to grow from strength to strength, we are looking forward to bringing our expertise and client base to complement the firm’s excellent reputation in this area.”

Blake Lapthorn’s Aircraft Finance team advises financiers, lessors, airlines, private individuals and manufactures on all aspects of finance and leasing of aircraft and engines, including operating leases, finance leases, wet leases, sale and leasebacks, export credit financing and pre-delivery payment financings as well as on the sale and purchase of aircraft, engines and parts.

In addition to aircraft finance, the Aviation group provides advice to clients across the international aviation industry, including, litigation and dispute resolution, asset recovery and re-structuring, employment and resourcing, airport planning and property and other commercial aspects of aircraft maintenance, operation and air traffic control.

Blake Lapthorn is the founding member of the network of aviation lawyers, L2B Aviation, which spans 40 countries and allows the firms to share aviation industry knowledge across borders and to engage support for its clients around the world.

Ben Graham-Evans, a partner at Blake Lapthorn and head of the firm’s Aviation group, commented: “David and his team bring with them a wide range of experience with all matters in relation to the aviation industry. Our team is now the largest dedicated aircraft finance practice outside of the mainstream City choices in the UK. David’s team will complement and broaden our existing expertise and I am delighted to be able to announce this appointment.”

David and his team joined Blake Lapthorn on Monday 14 February.