Aviation finance attorneys William Coleman and Victoria Koob have joined Holland & Knight’s transportation finance practice as partners. Also joining the firm are associates Laurence Long, Fabio Miceli and Rachel Thomasen. All previously practiced at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

The lawyers have a broad range of asset finance experience, including cross-border asset finance and leasing structures, with a focus on the aviation industry. They represent leasing companies, airlines, banks and other financial institutions in a wide array of transactions, including export credit-supported financings, multi-aircraft portfolios, leasing and PDP facilities. Their practice, which is international in scope, includes experience in the Middle East, advising on various Gulf-based project finance, securitization and offset transactions using both Islamic and conventional financing structures.

“We have a long-standing relationship with William and Tory, having worked across from them on a number of transactions,” said John Pritchard, global chair of Holland & Knight’s transportation finance practice. “We are very excited to have them join us. Their joining our firm will greatly strengthen existing client relationships, assist us in attracting new clients and strengthen our competitive position.”

“The lawyers now joining us have an excellent reputation in the industry and will elevate our standing to that of our top competitors in London,” said Robert Ricketts, executive partner of Holland & Knight’s London office. “We are delighted to welcome them to the firm.”

“Holland & Knight has a well-known name in the aviation finance practice area and is highly regarded by our clients,” said Mr. Coleman. “We look forward to helping our new colleagues fully establish the firm’s transportation finance practice in London and internationally.”

To accommodate this growth, the London office recently moved to larger quarters at Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street in the heart of the City of London.

Holland & Knight opened its London office in May 2016 with the addition of the lawyers from Clark Ricketts, a well-established London law firm with a practice devoted to transportation law. The primary emphasis of the firm’s London transportation finance practice is aviation finance and leasing. The office also has capability in maritime finance and ancillary aviation services.

Holland & Knight's transportation finance practice has more than 50 attorneys advising a broad range of clients, including banks, financiers, lessors, lessees, manufacturers, borrowers, airlines, maritime operations and government organizations, on a variety of leasing, debt, capital markets and hybrid financing techniques. The team regularly collaborates with attorneys in the firm's securities, regulatory, litigation, bankruptcy and related practice groups to provide comprehensive counsel for a full range of transactions and clients in these industries.