K&L Gates Expands Aviation Finance Practice with Addition of London Partner

London - Global law firm K&L Gates LLP welcomes Pete O’Hare as a partner in the finance practice. He joins the firm’s London office from Watson Farley & Williams LLP.
 
O’Hare advises banks and financial institutions, lessors, and operators in the aviation sector, and has played a leading role in some of the industry’s most complex and innovative aircraft acquisitions, finance, and lease transactions. He has extensive experience advising clients on high-profile deals, including non-U.S. EETC, ABS, M&A, and large portfolio and warehouse financing transactions, as well as on work-outs and repossessions.
 
O’Hare was named on Airline Economics’ prestigious 2020 40 under 40 list, which recognises the most outstanding individuals in that age group active in the aviation finance and leasing industry.

O’Hare commented: “I am excited to join K&L Gates' globally-ranked aviation finance practice. I am very much looking forward to working with my new colleagues across the globe, whom I have come to know and respect throughout my career. The firm has a large international network and significant depth across the aviation industry, which will allow me to provide a first class service to my clients.” 
 
“Pete joining us marks another significant step in the development of our global aviation finance coverage,” stated Tony Griffiths, K&L Gates’ managing partner for Europe and the Middle East. “In particular, his relationships with European financial institutions – including in Dublin – further enhance and round out our European aviation sector capability. We are delighted to welcome Pete to the team.”

K&L Gates’ highly regarded aviation practice encompasses virtually all aspects of aviation law, including aircraft finance and leasing, airlines and charter operators, corporate and general aviation, airports and infrastructure, manufacturers and suppliers, tax, and unmanned aircraft systems. K&L Gates’ global aviation team is now comprised of over 20 partners and counsel who are supported by a host of associates and legal assistants. The team represent a wide variety of clients on diverse local, regional, domestic, and global matters throughout the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

“We’re pleased to add Pete to our firm as a member of our leading aviation finance teams both in London and globally,” said Tokyo partner Robert E. Melson, Jr., a leader of K&L Gates’ global finance practice area and aviation practice. “We look forward to Pete being part of our practice and helping us to continue to better serve our expanding roster of clients throughout the aviation industry.”

O’Hare is one of more than 100 partners and of counsel the firm has welcomed across its global platform since the beginning of 2020, also including energy partners James Douglass and Ben Holland, asset management and investment funds partner Daniel Greenaway, and investigations, enforcement and white collar partner Michael Ruck, all in the firm’s London office in March 2021.