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Smith, Gambrell & Russell Expands New York Office with the Addition of Leading Aircraft Finance Attorney

Dépèche transmise le 1 juin 2009 par Business Wire

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Peter B. Barlow, a leading attorney in the aviation field who has negotiated numerous multi-billion dollar aircraft fleet acquisitions on behalf of airlines and operators in the United States and abroad, has rejoined Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) after serving as General Counsel at Skybus Airlines since January 2008.

Stephen M. Forte, the firm’s Managing Partner said: “Pete’s breadth of experience in aviation law, particularly in handling complex fleet acquisitions from Airbus, Boeing and other manufacturers, uniquely positions him to help the firm expand our already highly-regarded aviation practice as it puts roots down in New York. He is a key asset in the firm nationally and in the New York office as it continues to grow.”

Mr. Barlow said: “SGR plays a unique role as one of the few law firms that is deeply grounded in the aviation business, having been a major provider of aviation related legal services for more than three quarters of a century. Our understanding of the industry allows us to provide a sophisticated and nuanced combination of business and legal counsel on large and complex aircraft and aviation-related transactions. In good times and bad, we work closely with our clients to achieve practical solutions to difficult challenges.”

Mr. Barlow, a partner in SGR’s Air Transport Industry Group, will be based in the firm’s New York office. He originally joined the firm in 1996 and became a partner in the firm in 2004. Mr. Barlow’s international practice focuses on a wide range of matters in aircraft finance, commercial and corporate aircraft acquisitions and leasing, airline representation, aviation law and general corporate representation.

SGR has one of the longest standing aviation practices in the United States, having specialized in and been widely known for its aviation law expertise since the 1920s. In fact, one of the founders of SGR, E. Smythe Gambrell, helped launch Eastern Airlines in 1927.

Mr. Barlow is the incoming Chairman of the American Bar Association’s Aircraft Finance Subcommittee. He has served as Vice Chair since 2006. He received his J.D. degree from Emory University School of Law.