Holland & Knight Named “Transportation Practice Group of the Year” by Law360

MIAMI (February 15, 2023) – Holland & Knight was named the 2022 “Transportation Practice Group of the Year” by Law360, which recognized the group's "banner year negotiating a number of high-stakes, multibillion-dollar transactions for clients" and its pivotal role in helping clients manage unprecedented disruptions caused by the pandemic and global conflict.

Law360's Practice Groups of the Year annually honor the law firms behind litigation wins and major deals that resonated throughout the legal industry, with an eye toward landmark matters and general excellence. Law360 has been awarding the prestigious Practice Group of the Year for 13 years and chose this year's winners from nearly 900 submissions in 39 practice areas.

In its profile article, Law360 praises Holland & Knight for handling complex aircraft leasing deals during pandemic-era airline restructurings. The article quotes Partner Phillip Durham, leader of the Asset Finance Group, who applauded the team’s efforts by stating, “There’s really nothing that can be thrown at us that we haven’t encountered over the past two years.”

Law360 specifically lauded the firm for a number of meaningful matters, including:

• Representation in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy involving Avianca of more than a dozen aircraft leasing companies, which was approximately 70% of Avianca’s fleet, in JOLCOs (Japanese operating leases with call options)
• Advising eight leasing companies in the Philippine Airlines, Inc. Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Southern District of New York
• Representation of CSX Transportation Inc. in the $525 million sale of assets and right-of-way to the Commonwealth of Virginia to enhance rail freight capacity and expand passenger rail to and from Washington, D.C.
• Advising owners of the container carrier Ever Forward in connection with cargo and insurance interests, federal and local response to the Chesapeake Bay incident in the spring of 2022

“Although the pandemic created a number of supply chain and business challenges, this combined effort of excellent teamwork created the perfect path to earn the top Practice Group of the Year by Law360. We are extremely proud of this recognition and will continue to strive to reach the same standards in our daily practice,” said Chris Nolan, co-chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Group.

"The recognition of our cutting-edge work in three different transport sectors - aviation, rail and maritime - showcases the depth and strength of our industry presence," added Anita Mosner, co-chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Practice Group.

Holland & Knight's Transportation and Infrastructure Practice Group has a long tradition of providing legal counsel to major sectors within the industry, including aviation, maritime, rail, intermodal and motor carrier, air freight & logistics, and transportation infrastructure sectors. The team consists of more than 200 members who have extensive industry knowledge and experience and represent transportation clients in all aspects of their business operations.