ADVISING THE AVIATION INDUSTRY
FOR OVER 30 YEARS
CARL NELKIN
Carl Nelkin is an Irish qualified solicitor with over 30 years’ experience focusing exclusively on the aviation industry. Carl obtained a law degree from Trinity College Dublin (University of Dublin) in 1983 and trained as a solicitor with the Dublin firm McCann FitzGerald, qualifying in 1987. From 1988, Carl served as Assistant General Counsel and Director Legal at GPA Group plc and later as Vice President and Senior Counsel at GE Capital Aviation Services.
In 1995, Carl identified a niche in the aviation law sector. The concept was to provide the same level of service to the sector as provided by the major law firms but without the overheads. Since setting up in practice, Carl has worked on aircraft operating and finance leases, aircraft sales and purchases, aircraft financing, wet-leases and charters, maintenance contracts and other aircraft related transactions. Carl’s clients are based all over the world and many have been clients since the inception of the practice.
CARL NELKIN
Client Testimonials
Ryanair
Carl Nelkin has acted as legal counsel to Ryanair on aircraft transactions since 1996. During this time, Carl has helped negotiate numerous aircraft lease, sale, purchase and financing agreements (including our Boeing 737-800 purchase agreements and the financing documents for the aircraft with Export Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank)). We have a long professional relationship with Carl which includes many important aircraft transactions. Carl understands the priorities within Ryanair and is responsive to our requirements and tight deadlines. I am happy to recommend his aviation legal services and look forward to continued involvement with Carl Nelkin in the future.
James King
Carl Nelkin is a veteran aviation lawyer with exceptional global experience. He joined GPA at the beginning of its heyday and handled transactions all over Europe, the US, Canada, India, Africa and Asia. After GPA, he worked with GECAS before setting up his own independent practice in Dublin. In this role he broke new ground in Russia, Central Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Courteous and reserved with a quick and practical mind, he fits easily into the multicultural world of aviation and leading-edge technology. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of the legal, technical and taxation structures that govern aircraft acquisition, financing and airline operation. His pace of contract execution is legendary. Carl Nelkin is a true performer in a highly competitive profession. It was a pleasure to work with him.
Sojitz Group
Sojitz Group has been engaged in the aircraft leasing business for 30 years through Irish and Dutch subsidiaries, Sunrock Aircraft Corporation and Sojitz Aircraft Leasing. Sojitz Group, as one of major trading houses in Japan, has its own large legal department. However, Carl Nelkin has been assisting us in this business for over 20 years, which is a record long standing relationship for foreign law firms engaged by Sojitz Group to date. This is clear evidence of Carl’s excellent performance as an aviation legal advisor. Carl’s advice is timely, accurate, logical and pragmatic which allows us to make prompt judgments in our negotiations with our client airlines. Sojitz Group will continue to work with Carl and I believe that Carl will continue to renew his record relationship with us.
Alize Worldwide
Over a period of 20+ years, Carl Nelkin has provided first class legal counsel and transaction support in conducting business in the global aircraft leasing and financing industry. As our primary legal adviser, Carl was responsible for coordinating and preparing substantially all documentation relating to multi-jurisdictional aircraft leasing, financing and trading transactions. Carl’s efficient and flexible approach to responding to the demanding nature of a transaction oriented business was a significant advantage to serving our clients. His legal advice, deep experience and pragmatic approach was much appreciated not just within our own group but also by the various counterparties in the airline and financing communities that we were dealing with. In particular, Carl’s ability to interact with technical, finance, taxation and other legal professionals in the industry was a key aspect of his successful role as our primary legal counsel over the years. I would have no hesitation in recommending Carl as a first class independent lawyer for any parties seeking advice or legal support in modern aircraft trading and financing transactions.