Pillsbury has recruited Aviation Finance lawyer Patrick Reisinger to join its market-leading Asset Finance practice as counsel in New York. He joins the firm from Clifford Chance LLP.
Reisinger has worked extensively with aircraft leasing companies and their equity and debt investors. This includes a variety of secured and unsecured financing structures as well as leasing and sale/purchase transactions involving commercial aircraft and business jets. His experience also spans asset-backed financing secured credit facilities, Ex-Im Bank-guaranteed bonds and loans, unsecured term loans and Rule 144A bonds, and portfolio sales and purchases.
“Our asset finance practice has been growing rapidly, and Pat’s arrival makes for another excellent addition to the team,” said Pillsbury Finance practice leader Mark Lessard. “A known commodity in the aviation industry, his stellar background in commercial and business aircraft finance will be of great value to our clients worldwide. We’re excited to have him here.”
Reisinger recently advised on two noteworthy US debt capital markets transactions that accessed Japanese equity markets through a novel Japanese operating lease feature, representing the issuer group on British Airways’ 2018 enhanced equipment trust certificate (EETC) financing and representing the underwriters in the JOL Air 2019-1 ABS transaction. He also counseled the servicer and issuer in the first securitization backed solely by receivables relating to business jets. Featuring an innovative structure and security package not previously used in aviation finance, this series of three issuances ultimately raised over $2 billion.
“Pillsbury has established itself as a leading global aviation finance practice and is poised to continue its growth in New York and other aviation and financial centers,” said Reisinger. “The team is widely respected, highly collaborative and keenly focused on delivering elite service to clients on the most sensitive and sophisticated matters. I am thrilled to be a part of the team.”
Recently recognized by Airline Economics as the 2019 Aviation Law Firm of the Year, Pillsbury serves as a trusted adviser to the most established names in aviation as well as emerging players around the world, including manufacturers, airlines, lessors, financial institutions, corporations, individuals and other investors. Over the last five years alone, the group has helped a diverse range of market participants get or keep more than 1,600 commercial and business aircraft flying, reflecting an aggregate asset value of more than $75 billion.