About

Provided by Watson Farley & Williams

With asset finance lawyers in all 19 of the firm’s offices, WFW has more specialist asset finance partners than any other international law firm. In addition to the size of our practice, the WFW Asset Finance team has a depth of experience, breadth of expertise and level of sophistication in our work that makes WFW stand out from other firms.


Maritime

WFW possesses the largest dedicated maritime finance legal team of any firm in the world, advising in every segment of the shipping industry, including wet and dry bulk, containers and container boxes, drilling rigs and offshore support vessels, cruise, yachts and ferries. Beyond purely maritime transport, our team also has considerable expertise in related sectors such as offshore oil and gas, LNG and ports and logistics. 


Aviation

WFW’s aviation finance team is the largest in the UK, the largest in Europe, the largest in Asia, and the largest globally, by both partner and associate headcount. The team has a world-class reputation and comprises leading lawyers with a thorough understanding of the latest developments in the sector. The team have advised on many of the industry’s award-winning and high-profile transactions. WFW are on the legal panel for more aviation financiers than any other law firm. We were also recently re-appointed to the prestigious European ECA panel.



Rail

WFW has a growing Rail practice and already advises key players, both operators and financiers.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Asset Finance: Shipping Finance - UK-wide

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Watson Farley & Williams has a highly regarded shipping finance practice with additional capability in aviation financing matters. The firm works on large cross-border financing structures for shipping and offshore clients, including asset sales, structured securitisations, and sale and leasebacks. It is regularly sought after for its advice in relation to matters concerning offshore oil and gas, LNG, and ports and logistics. The firm's aviation financing expertise includes work relating to commercial aircraft, corporate jets and helicopters.

Work Highlights

  • Watson Farley & Williams advised HSBC UK on the financing of Bibby Marine’s zero-emission electric Commissioning Service Operation Vessel.

  • Watson Farley & Williams advised multiple parties on the merger of Tata SIA Airlines with Air India.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Lindsey Keeble
E
Lindsey Keeble
E
Eminent Practitioners

Lindsey Keeble is managing partner of the firm. She has an established practice in shipping finance and advises clients on ECA-backed debt financing facilities and loan refinancings.

Lindsey is a visionary lawyer.

Jim Bell
2
Jim Bell
2
Band 2
Jim Bell is global co-head of aviation at the firm. He has notable experience working on structured and asset finance transactions and advises on the acquisition and financing of aircraft.

Jim has extensive experience across diverse areas, including aviation finance, M&A and leasing, among others.

Jim looks for resolutions. He is very flexible and very proactive in terms of how to move forward on transactions in a way that's acceptable to the counterparty.

Jim is very helpful when we need some quick advice on something.

Jim is a trusted partner and is always available to us to discuss and provide advice on a range of issues.

Dominic Pearson
3
Dominic Pearson
3
Band 3

Dominic Pearson is an experienced lawyer recognised for his work in aviation finance. He represents creditors, banks and lessors in fleet transactions, sale and leaseback transactions, and airline restructurings.

Dominic is technically excellent and is my go-to for random information or issues that arise.

He understood our needs, was available and was really pragmatic.

Dominic Pearson is knowledgeable and a person who knows what's happening in the market and in the general laws applied to aviation.

3
Kate Silverstein
3
Band 3

Kate Silverstein advises owners, lenders and charterers on a wide range of financing matters. She is experienced in Chapter 11 cases, refinancings and acquisitions. She often works on cross-border transactions.

She is always responsive and proactive. We can trust that she is driving the deal forward and fully aware of our priorities.

I trust Kate to provide solid advice and turn to her whenever I can on a live transaction.

We are very happy with Kate's service, insight, knowledge and problem-solving capabilities.

Kavita Shah
3
Kavita Shah
3
Band 3

Kavita Shah has prowess in maritime asset finance, often representing creditors. She is experienced in portfolio acquisitions, refinancing and credit facilities.

The exceptional, dedicated Kavita Shah is creative and knowledgeable, making her our trusted adviser for both new money and refinancing work.

Kavita manages to be strong without confrontation and is highly focused on client satisfaction.

Kavita is very much strong on human resilience and finding a way to manage strong characters.

3
Louise Mor
3
Band 3

Louise Mor is a well-regarded rail finance practitioner with experience of a broad range of matters including refinancing exercises, acquisitions, and sale and leaseback issues.

Louise is an excellent business partner.

Louise is very approachable, hands-on and a true expert who has both the legal expertise as well as the sector knowledge.

Patrick Moore
4
Patrick Moore
4
Band 4

Patrick Moore has a comprehensive aviation practice, often representing banks, operators and other investors. He handles a range of transactions, including acquisitions, financing and leasing of aircraft, as well as due diligence for M&A matters.

Patrick is particularly good at managing difficult and demanding projects and has the ability to inject these with the necessary pragmatism.

He has got a good mix of technicality and is very competent but is also quite commercially savvy.

Ranked Lawyers at
Watson Farley & Williams

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

UK-wide

Asset Finance: Aviation Finance

Jim Bell
2
Jim Bell
2
Band 2
Dominic Pearson
3
Dominic Pearson
3
Band 3
Patrick Moore
4
Patrick Moore
4
Band 4
Asset Finance: Rail Finance

3
Louise Mor
3
Band 3
Asset Finance: Shipping Finance

Lindsey Keeble
E
Lindsey Keeble
E
Eminent Practitioners
3
Kate Silverstein
3
Band 3
Kavita Shah
3
Kavita Shah
3
Band 3

Members

Provided by Watson Farley & Williams

Chris Mitchell

Frank Dunne

Gary Walsh

George Macheras

Joe McGladdery

Kavita Shah

Louise Mor

Lucy Shtenko

Maren Brandes

Michael O'Donnell

Nicola Davies

Patrick Kirkby

Patrick Smith

Richard Dibble

Robert Platt

Simon Kavanagh

Toby Royal

Clients

Provided by Watson Farley & Williams

BNP Paribas

CIT

Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank

DVB Bank

Golar LNG

HSH Nordbank

ING Bank

Macquarie Bank Limited

Sovcomflot Group of Companies

Teekay Tankers Ltd

Industries

Provided by Watson Farley & Williams

Aviation

Maritime

Rail