SGR Adds Veteran Attorney to Growing Global Aviation Practice

ATLANTA (April 22, 2014) –International law firm Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) has added a veteran attorney to its burgeoning New York office. Marc D. Latman advises clients on aircraft and aircraft engine financing, leasing, acquisition and disposition matters, domestically and internationally. Mr. Latman’s clients include lenders, borrowers, equity participants, operators, lessors and lessees.

“Marc Latman brings proven, high profile experience to the firm that will deepen our capabilities in several practice areas,” said Stephen Forte, SGR’s Managing Partner. “Marc has particular expertise in the firm’s legacy practice, aviation.”

Mr. Latman has significant exposure to cross-border commercial aviation transactions and has worked in the area of fractional share ownership of aircraft, having drafted the contractual documentation for start-up regional fractional share ownership programs. He is also experienced in negotiating restructurings of aviation transactions both inside and outside of bankruptcy and regularly counsels clients, including governments, operators and financiers, with respect to the “Cape Town Convention” and is a frequent author and lecturer on the topic.

Mr. Latman is the current Chairperson of the American Bar Association’s Aircraft Financing Subcommittee. He joined SGR from Norton Rose Fulbright. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and earned his J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law. Mr. Latman has been recognized in Chambers USA, Equipment Financing and Leasing (2011, 2012), Aviation: Finance (2012, 2013), The International Who’s Who of Aviation – Who’s Who Legal (2013), Guide to the World’s Leading Aviation Lawyers – Global Aviation Law (2011), Aviation Lawyer – Expert Guides (2011, 2013), The Legal 500 United States – Recommended for Asset Finance and Leasing, The Legal 500 (2012 – 2013), New York Metro Super Lawyers – Aviation, Thomson Reuters (2013) New York Metro Rising Star – Aviation, Thomson Reuters (2011 – 2012).

SGR has one of the longest standing global aviation practices in the United States, having specialized in and been widely known for its aviation law expertise since the 1920s. Over the years, SGR has greatly broadened its industry representation to include lessors, financiers, aircraft owners and numerous airlines in their domestic and international aircraft transactions, including direct purchases, sales and sale and leasebacks with various kinds of debt financing and leveraged and operating leases.

The Firm also recently added SGR Aviation Consulting, LLC, which focuses on advising airlines, other aviation businesses and companies with aviation clients. It is a leading strategic advisor to the airline industry, combining deep global market and industry insight with local experience in each region to help clients address challenges, forge new opportunities and create value across their entire operations.

Smith, Gambrell & Russell is a full service, international law firm that advises regional, national and global businesses on a wide range of legal matters. The Firm’s nearly 200 attorneys provide legal counsel in more than 45 specialized practice areas, including corporate transactions, litigation, intellectual property, aviation, banking, construction and employment law. Founded in 1893, SGR has offices in Atlanta, Jacksonville, New York, Washington, D.C. and Frankfurt, Germany. Please visit www.sgrlaw.com for more information.