Education

University of Oregon School of Law, J.D.

Macalester College, B.A., cum laude, Economics

Bar Admissions

California

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William "Bill" Piels

Partner
San Francisco
t: 415-743-6930

William B. Piels is the executive partner in the San Francisco office of Holland & Knight with over 25 years of experience in aircraft lease and financing transactions. The clients he has represented include some of the world’s largest aircraft operating lessors and international financial institutions. Mr. Piels has also represented major international airlines, U.S. domestic airlines, engine manufacturers, engine lessors and spare parts lessors. He has extensive experience in a broad range of transactions in the aircraft leasing and financing area, including aircraft operating lease transactions, secured loans, aircraft purchase and sale transactions, single investor and leveraged lease transactions, securitizations, cross-border financing transactions, regional jet and commercial jet manufacturer purchase transactions, engine leasing and financing transactions, spare parts leasing and financing transactions, leveraged lease, operating lease and debt workouts and restructurings, and repossessions and foreclosures.

Professional Honors & Awards

  • The Best Lawyers in America guide, Structured Finance Law, 2007-2012
  • The Best Lawyers in America guide, Equipment Finance, 2006-2012
  • Guide to the World's Leading Aviation Lawyers, 2004-2010
  • The International Who's Who of Aviation Lawyers, 2005-2011
  • Chambers USA – America's Leading Business Lawyers guide, Transportation: Aviation: Finance, 2008-2011
  • The Legal 500 USA, Asset Finance and Leasing, 2010-2011
  • Who's Who Legal, 2011
  • American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers, Fellow
  • Best of the Best Aviation Lawyers, Euromoney Guide, 2003-2009
  • Who's Who Legal: California – Aviation, 2007-2009
  • Chambers Global – The World's Leading Lawyers for Business guide, Asset Finance
  • Order of the Coif

Memberships

  • American Bar Association Subcommittee on Aircraft Finance and Contracts
  • International Registry Advisory Board, alternate member designate for the American Bar Association
  • American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers, Inc.

Speaking Engagements

  • The International Registry in the Second Five-Year Term: All New ... Implications For You, Annual Aircraft Transactions Forum, March 2011
  • New York School of International Aviation Finance, Operating Leases, 1998-2001, Default and Restructuring, 1998-2011
  • Aircraft Operating Lease Training Seminar, 1997-2011
  • Cape Town Convention in Cross-Border Transactions, Aircraft Registry Forum, 2006-2010
  • Aircraft Pre-Delivery Financing, RBS Aviation Finance School, April 2005
  • Doing Deals: Bank Financings, 2001-2004
  • Doing Deals: Equipment Leasing, 2001-2004
  • Airline Restructuring and Bankruptcy: the Financiers Perspective, September 2003

Published Articles & Books

  • "Division 10: Leasing of Goods," Sales and Leasing in California Commercial Law Practice (Cal. CEB), 2003
  • "Aircraft Operating Leases – Equipment Nuances," Operating Leases: The Complete Guide (Amembal and Associates), 1999