Top Law Firms in Aviation Finance and Leasing: Leading Legal Advisors for Aircraft Transactions and Industry Expertise
Aviation finance and leasing represents a specialized area of law that requires deep industry knowledge and global reach. When airlines need to acquire aircraft or lessors structure complex transactions, they turn to law firms with proven expertise in navigating this technical field. The legal work involves everything from single-aircraft deals to multi-billion dollar portfolio transactions across different countries.
Selecting the right legal partner can make the difference between a successful aviation transaction and costly delays or compliance issues. The firms that excel in this space understand both the financial structures and the regulatory requirements that govern aircraft ownership and leasing. They work with airlines, banks, equipment manufacturers, and leasing companies to structure deals that meet business goals while managing risk.
This guide examines the leading law firms in aviation finance and leasing based on their track records, client relationships, and industry recognition. You'll learn about the specific capabilities each firm brings to aviation transactions and the emerging legal considerations shaping the industry today.
1. Milbank LLP
Milbank LLP stands as a top-ranked firm in aviation finance and leasing. The firm has earned recognition from multiple industry authorities for its work in this field.
Chambers & Partners consistently ranks Milbank as a #1 law firm for aviation finance in the US, UK, and globally. Aircraft Economics voted the firm "Best Law Firm" for its aviation practice. You'll find Milbank listed as Tier 1 by Legal 500 for UK Transport Finance and Leasing, and Band 1 for Aviation Finance in both the USA and UK.
The firm handles a wide range of aviation finance matters. Their expertise includes Ex-Im bank financing, asset-backed securitizations, and EETC finance. They also work on high-value aircraft portfolio mergers and acquisitions.
Milbank represents major clients in the aviation sector. The firm has advised leasing companies on significant acquisitions and complex financing deals. Their team works on warehouse financings and secured portfolio transactions.
The practice began with the first-ever merger of two publicly traded aircraft leasing companies. Since then, Milbank has built a strong reputation advising aircraft leasing companies, financial institutions, and investors on their aviation transactions.
2. Clyde & Co
Clyde & Co operates as a global law firm with over 50 offices across every inhabited continent. The firm has built a strong reputation in aviation finance and leasing work.
Their aviation practice includes more than 100 specialists located in 20 offices worldwide. You'll find their team handles aircraft finance transactions, leasing deals, and aircraft trading. The firm advises on loan financing, lease financing, and restructuring matters.
The practice is known for handling high-value aircraft portfolio deals. Their lawyers work on acquisitions, financing arrangements, and sale transactions. You can access their services for both commercial airlines and leasing companies.
Clyde & Co's aviation finance team has received recognition from legal directories for managing large aircraft financing and leasing deals. The firm serves a wide range of clients, from budget airlines to major flag carriers.
Their services cover cross-border transactions and international aviation finance matters. The team handles complex financing structures and commercial aviation agreements. You'll find they work on both single aircraft deals and multi-aircraft portfolio transactions.
3. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP operates as an international law firm with offices across the United States, Asia, and Europe. The firm maintains a strong focus on aviation finance and leasing matters.
The aviation finance team handles portfolio financing, cross-border leasing deals, and engine acquisitions for clients. You'll find their practice represents financial institutions, leasing companies, equity investors, and airlines in aircraft and engine transactions.
Mark Lessard leads the New York-based aviation finance team. Graham Tyler heads the firm's global Asset Finance practice and works on aircraft finance and leasing cases worldwide.
The firm's client roster includes major names like BNP Paribas, Bank of America, and Atlas Air. Their lawyers handle new and used aircraft procurement, financing arrangements, and portfolio acquisitions.
Pillsbury formed through a merger in 2005 and has grown into a recognized player in aviation legal services. The Legal 500 ranks their aviation finance practice among leading U.S. firms. Their team provides services for both domestic and international aviation transactions across multiple jurisdictions.
4. McGuireWoods LLP
McGuireWoods LLP operates a strong aviation finance practice from its Charlotte office. The firm handles aircraft leasing, portfolio deals, and financing transactions across multiple countries.
Patricia Hosmer leads the aviation finance team. They work with airlines, banks, and asset management companies on various aviation matters.
The practice covers single-aircraft financings and complex deals involving multiple aircraft. You'll find their lawyers advising on warehouse facility changes and portfolio purchases.
McGuireWoods has over 1,000 lawyers working in 19 offices around the world. This global reach helps when your aviation deals cross borders.
The firm works with major players in the aviation industry. Their clients include airlines, aircraft leasing companies, and financial institutions.
Their aviation lawyers handle the full range of aviation finance work. This includes new financings, restructuring existing deals, and lease agreements.
The team draws on experience from major capital markets and aviation centers worldwide. This background helps them guide you through complicated transactions in the aviation sector.
5. Todd & Levi, L.L.P.
Todd & Levi, L.L.P. operates as a New York-based law firm with a strong focus on aviation finance and leasing matters. The firm handles aircraft transactions for clients worldwide, including airlines, lessors, lessees, banks, finance companies, brokers, and parts suppliers.
The firm's partners bring decades of combined experience to aviation law. John F. Todd has been practicing since 1980 and leads the firm's aircraft leasing and financing work. He works alongside partners Jill Levi and David B. Rosenberg to provide direct partner-level attention to client matters.
You can work with Todd & Levi on various aviation transactions. The firm assists with aircraft sales, purchases, leasing agreements, and financing arrangements. They also handle aviation-related disputes, including breach of lease agreements, loan disputes, and aircraft return condition issues.
The firm positions itself as offering experienced legal services at reasonable rates. Their client base spans both domestic and international aviation industry participants. Todd & Levi maintains its office on Madison Avenue in New York City, where the team focuses on commercial transactions and aviation law matters.
6. Condon & Forsyth LLP
Condon & Forsyth LLP has served the aviation industry since 1935. The firm operates offices in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Sacramento, and Seattle.
While the firm is best known for aviation accident litigation and product liability work, it also handles aviation finance matters. Your aviation transactions can benefit from their deep understanding of the aerospace sector.
The firm's attorneys work with airlines, lessors, and insurers on commercial disputes and contractual matters related to aircraft financing. They understand the regulatory framework that governs aviation transactions.
Condon & Forsyth maintains strong relationships within the aviation community. This includes manufacturers, operators, and financial institutions. Their experience spans both domestic and international markets.
The team handles Montreal Convention matters and regulatory investigations. They also assist with class actions and complex commercial litigation affecting aviation finance deals.
If you need counsel that combines aviation expertise with commercial law knowledge, Condon & Forsyth offers this dual focus. Their long history in aviation law gives them insight into industry-specific financing challenges.
7. Dentons
Dentons operates as one of the largest global law firms, with thousands of attorneys across multiple continents. The firm handles aviation finance matters for airlines, lessors, banks, and investors worldwide.
Your aviation finance needs can be addressed through Dentons' work in aircraft and engine financing, leasing arrangements, and restructuring matters. The firm manages transactions including sale and leaseback deals, JOLCO unwinds, and the refinancing of secured facilities.
Dentons' practice covers both corporate and commercial aircraft financing. You'll find their lawyers work on delayed redelivery disputes and the establishment of leasing platforms. The firm also provides regulatory guidance alongside transactional work.
The aviation team combines legal knowledge with industry practices. They assist various players in the sector, from local and international airlines to finance arrangers and government authorities. Their experience extends to helicopter financing and fleet transactions.
If you're involved in aircraft leasing or aviation finance globally, Dentons maintains offices in key aviation markets. The firm's size allows them to handle complex cross-border deals with teams spread across different regions.
Taken together, these firms sit near the top of the aviation finance and leasing market because they combine sector knowledge, transactional depth, and cross-border execution capability.
The right choice depends on the deal in front of you, your jurisdictional footprint, the asset type, and the financing structure. Some firms are especially strong in large portfolio financings and capital markets transactions, while others bring tighter partner involvement, stronger dispute capability, or wider international coverage.
In aviation, legal counsel shapes execution, risk allocation, document discipline, and closing certainty. For airlines, lessors, lenders, and investors, choosing counsel with real aviation finance pedigree can save time, reduce friction, and protect value across the life of the transaction.
