Jonathon Meloy

Jonathon is Head of Maples and Calder’s Cayman Islands Finance practice and is based in the Cayman Islands. He is a leading finance lawyer with extensive experience in aviation finance and leasing, fund finance, structured finance and capital markets transactions.

With more than 15 years’ experience advising international financial institutions, aircraft lessors, investors, private equity sponsors and corporate clients, Jonathon has developed a highly regarded finance practice, with particular expertise in aviation finance and leasing. He has played a leading role in numerous aircraft ABS transactions and award-winning financings involving prominent lessors and asset managers. He also regularly provides industry commentary on aircraft financing structures, securitisations and developments in the global aviation financing and leasing market.

Jonathon also advises lenders and borrowers on fund finance, including subscription, NAV and hybrid credit facilities, structured finance transactions, CLOs, debt funds and capital markets matters, as well as corporate transactions including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, restructurings and debt and equity listings on the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange.

Jonathon joined the Maples Group in 2008 and became a Partner in 2014. In 2023, he was appointed as head of the firm’s Cayman Islands Finance practice. Jonathon is recognised by leading legal directories, including Chambers Global, IFLR1000, Legal 500 and Lexology, and in 2021 by Airline Economics as a mentor within the aviation industry. Jonathon is described as “very bright, quick, diligent and responsive” and is valued for his commercial approach, technical expertise and deep understanding of Cayman Islands law.

In addition to his client practice, Jonathon serves in key leadership roles within the Maples Group, helping to drive the strategic direction and operational leadership of the firm’s Cayman Islands business and its wider service offering.