James E. Kilner

James Kilner helps companies, financial institutions and investors buy, sell, lease and finance aircraft and other high-value assets.

Structuring transactions across multiple countries, he balances different legal systems, regulatory rules and commercial priorities, ensuring deals that move assets and money around the world are legally sound and commercially feasible.

James works with airlines seeking liquidity, lessors expanding fleets, and banks and private equity firms investing in aviation. His experience spans structuring secured financings, negotiating operating leases, and guiding multijurisdictional transactions to align business goals with regulatory compliance. He counsels clients on sale-and-leaseback transactions to optimize capital, advises on asset-based lending structures, and addresses collateral and enforcement issues across jurisdictions.

Working collaboratively with in-house counsel and deal teams, he determines his legal strategy and proposes solutions based on his clients’ business objectives. Known for simplifying complex, multiparty negotiations and skill in navigating the challenges of multijurisdictional deals, James helps clients keep transactions on track.