Milbank Expands Global Aviation Finance Practice with Addition of Special Counsel Jeffrey Ip in Hong Kong

Milbank LLP is pleased to announce that Jeffrey Ip has joined the firm’s Transportation and Space Group as special counsel in the Hong Kong office, further strengthening its market-leading global aviation finance capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region.

“Jeffrey is widely recognized in the aviation finance space in the region and his arrival adds significant depth and experience to our Asia-Pacific aviation finance practice,” said Nick Swinburne, partner and head of the Transportation and Space group in London. “He has already worked closely with many of Milbank’s key clients in the region, and his technical know-how, commercial insight and multijurisdictional experience will make him an invaluable resource to our clients on their transactions in the region. He will work closely with the London and US teams to ensure seamless client service.”

Mr. Ip’s practice focuses on aircraft leasing, financing, trading and restructuring across the Asia-Pacific region. He has extensive experience advising on complex cross-border leasing and financing structures involving aircraft registered in jurisdictions across Greater China, Asia, the Middle East and Europe involving global leasing companies, financiers and investors. His practice spans operating and financing leases, portfolio sales and lease novations, secured and limited recourse financings, tax-structured financings (including JOLCOs), and transactions supported by export credit agencies and credit insurers. He also advises creditors on airline-related insolvencies and restructurings.

“Asia’s aviation market is undergoing a dynamic transformation and Jeffrey’s arrival will unlock opportunities across our Asian platform and our global business,” said James Grandolfo, head of Milbank (Hong Kong).

“Milbank has long been known as one of the premier firms for aviation leasing and finance and I am very excited to join the team,” added Mr. Ip.

Mr. Ip joins from Clifford Chance. Earlier in his career, he completed international secondments in Abu Dhabi and Bangkok and spent a year on client secondment at Avolon Aerospace Leasing Limited. Mr. Ip holds a Bachelor of Commerce from University of Toronto and completed his JD at City University of Hong Kong.