Kaye Scholer Continues Expansion of Global Aviation Finance Practice with Addition of Leading Partner
London: Noted aviation finance lawyer Philip Perrotta has joined Kaye Scholer as a partner in London to lead the office’s top-ranked Aviation Finance & Leasing Practice. As the former global head of aviation finance at international law firm Clyde & Co, Perrotta’s move to Kaye Scholer, as well as the recent addition of London Aviation Finance partner Sidanth Rajagopal, is the next stage in a significant strategic expansion of the firm's global aviation finance capabilities on behalf of clients seeking business opportunities around the world.
"Philip’s arrival underscores our focus on rapidly expanding our international corporate and finance practices, generally, and the aviation sector, specifically,” said Henry Morriello, Chair of Kaye Scholer’s Finance Department. “This hire adds tremendous momentum to the strategic growth of our finance practices, which already include formidable structured finance and aviation finance teams.”
Perrotta acts for a broad range of major aircraft lenders, lessors and airlines, successfully concluding around the world hundreds of transactions involving commercial and business aircraft, aero engines and other aviation assets. He is ranked by Chambers UK 2014 as a leading lawyer in the United Kingdom for Aviation Finance and is commended by clients in Legal 500 UK. Perrotta is a frequent commentator on the aviation finance market at industry events and in trade publications. In July, Kaye Scholer also added the prominent aviation finance lawyer Sidanth Rajagopal. Recognized by Who’s Who Legal, Asialaw Leading Lawyers and the India Business Law Journal as a leading lawyer in aviation, Rajagopal acts primarily for airlines, leasing companies and banks operating across the Middle East, South Asia and Africa.
“With the addition of Philip and Sid, we've increased the size and scope of our aviation finance capabilities to better meet our clients' needs and industry demand,” said Michael Mulitz, head of Kaye Scholer’s Aviation Finance & Leasing Practice. “We look forward to working with our new partners on many new high-profile aviation and financing transactions for existing and new clients, and to enhancing the ties between our London and New York offices.”
Kaye Scholer’s Aviation Finance & Leasing Practice represents major financial institutions, aircraft operating lessors, aircraft and engine manufacturers, private equity and hedge funds, and airlines in a wide array of commercial, cargo and private jet aircraft transactions. The practice, which is consistently ranked as a leader in both aviation finance and asset finance and leasing by Chambers USA, Legal 500 and Euromoney’s Expert Guides, has extensive experience in all types of mortgage financing, structured finance, securitization, acquisition, leasing, private equity and restructuring transactions.
“In the past several years, our clients have seen accelerated globalization in the aviation sector, with particularly strong synergies between London and the US in terms of influence and investment,” said Philip. “Kaye Scholer's roots in the US financial services industry, and its commitment to the aviation finance sector, will benefit our clients and resonate strongly with the market, which highly values access to and experience in US debt and other capital products.”
The firm’s London office is centrally focused on corporate, finance and transactional activity, with a deep bench of senior lawyers adept at guiding deal participants through complex domestic, cross-border and transatlantic transactions. The firm leverages its relationships with leading investment banks, private equity funds, international corporations and financial advisors to bring its intimate knowledge and understanding of US and UK markets to businesses in the aviation sector looking to transact across the pond and internationally.