Holland & Knight expands transportation finance practice in London

Holland & Knight employs around 1000 lawyers.

Holland & Knight has opened an office in London to expand its aviation and maritime finance practices. The office will include six lawyers, all of whom previously practiced at Clark Ricketts, a well-established London law firm whose practice is devoted to transportation law.

The Clark Ricketts lawyers include Robert Ricketts, Ian Clark, Gwyn O’Flynn, Tim Murray, Giles Cornwall and Noelle Boyce. Robert Ricketts will serve as the executive partner for the London office.

The primary emphasis of Holland & Knight’s London transportation finance practice will be aviation finance and leasing. In addition, the office will also have capability in maritime finance and ancillary aviation services.

Steven Sonberg, Holland & Knight managing partner said: “Holland & Knight and Clark Ricketts have worked together on US and UK aviation finance matters for more than 15 years. Last year, one of the portfolio sale transactions the two firms collaborated on was a $1.2 billion deal for BBAM Aircraft Management that involved the lease of 49 aircraft to 37 airlines in 25 countries. The Clark Ricketts lawyers are considered among the best aviation lawyers in the industry, and we are delighted to welcome them to the firm.”

Robert Ricketts added: “Holland & Knight has one of the world’s preeminent aircraft finance practices. We believe that joining Holland & Knight will provide us the critical mass to meet our clients’ legal needs around the globe.”

With many years of combined experience in aviation law, the Clark Ricketts team provides legal counsel on the full range of aviation finance matters, representing all sectors of the industry.

“The aircraft finance industry has been shifting east to Dublin, Dubai and Singapore over the past few years. Almost all engagements now require both New York law and English law capabilities,” said John Pritchard, global chair of Holland & Knight’s transportation finance practice. “We determined that having a presence in London is important to serve our clients’ interests. Given our long relationship with and high regard for the Clark Ricketts firm, it was an easy decision to have them join the firm.”

Holland & Knight is a global law firm with more than 1,200 lawyers and other professionals in 27 offices throughout the world.