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About Barbara

Barbara is qualified as a Solicitor of England & Wales and an Avvocato (Rome).

She was ranked as “Rising Star” by the Legal 500 UK 2021-22, “Next Generation Lawyer” by the Legal 500 UK 2018-19 and “Notable Practitioner” by Chambers UK 2021. She has also been recognised by clients as “hardworking and commercial” with “a strong pedigree for aviation finance” in Legal 500 London Finance 2016, “an extraordinary professional, with a high level of knowledge; promptness in providing comments in a so efficient manner; looking for our best position in any deal, but with a pragmatic approach” in Legal 500 2020-21; “customer-focused, pragmatic and excellent in negotiations”, ” a hard worker and has an extraordinary level of commitment in transactions – always running the extra mile”, “very experienced in aviation law and extremely knowledgeable about the industry” in Chambers 2021-22; “a very talented, experienced and dedicated professional with high communication skills and legal knowledge” and “an extraordinary high level of knowledge in aircraft leasing” in Chambers 2020-21; “lovely to work with. She’s quick, clever and highly committed to getting the deal done.”, and “has a superb grasp of issues, her mind is like a steel trap!” in Chambers 2021-22; and “superb – her grasp of every issue is fantastic, and she is tireless in getting a deal over the line. Someone you really want on your side!’ in Legal 500 UK 2021-22.

Barbara specialises in asset and structured finance and has a considerable experience in aircraft finance and leasing transactions. She has represented airlines, financial institutions and lessors in a broad spectrum of transactions ranging from export credit financings (amongst which the first ever SACE guaranteed financing transaction relating to Boeing aircraft, which was awarded “European Debt Deal of the Year” and “Overall Supported Finance Deal of the Year 2017”, and the UKEF supported financing transaction relating to a Boeing 787 aircraft delivered to El Al Israel Airlines, which was awarded “EMEA Supported Finance Deal of the Year 2018”), Japanese operating leases, Jolco (amongst which the ECA Jolco with BNP Paribas was awarded “Tax Lease Deal of the Year 2013” and the Jolco financing for one Boeing 787-9 aircraft delivered to El Al Israel Airlines, which was awarded “Editor’s Deal of the Year 2018”), Italian tax leases (the first ever European ECA backed Italian lease was awarded “Tax Lease Deal of the Year 2014”), French tax leases with commercial debt, spare engine financings, Islamic deals to operating leases (IAFC/Saudia operating lease of 30 A320 aircraft and 20 A330 aircraft was awarded “Operating Lease Deal of the Year 2016”), warehouse facilities (she assisted a UK bank in connection with the acquisition of certain Waypoint assets in Chapter 11 case), bridge financings, pre-delivery payment financings, sale and lease back (amongst which the Air Europa $215m Sale Leaseback and PDP financing, which was awarded “Sale and Leaseback Deal of the Year”), aircraft and engine purchase contracts.

She is also actively involved in lease restructurings, also in in conjunction with COVID-related state aid packages, and settlements in connection with the grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and technical issues experienced by the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

Barbara advises on corporate jet transactions, including corporate jet financing, sale and purchase of new and second hand aircraft, maintenance and lease contracts.

Barbara has experience in a wide range of cross-border and domestic securitisation transactions, including trade receivables, whole business, repo transactions, and financing transactions.

She is the author of several articles in the banking and finance sector.

Barbara also works closely with other members of HFW’s jet’s and helicopters team, providing market-leading advice across jets, helicopters and general business aviation in financing, sale and purchase, leasing, regulation, insurance, contingency planning, emergency response and dispute resolution.