James McNicol

Executive Counsel

Brisbane, Australia

James McNicol is an executive counsel in Herbert Smith Freehills’ finance practice, based in Brisbane.

James McNicol is an executive counsel in Herbert Smith Freehills’ finance practice, based in Australia. James has particular experience in transactions involving the aviation and shipping industries, advising a range of major financial institutions, lessors and operators.

He has worked on transactions covering a diverse array of financings, operating leases/charters (including enforcement and repossession situations), securitizations, asset sale/purchase, secondary debt trading, M&A and joint ventures, and restructurings (both formal and informal). He has experience acting for a range of market participants, including traditional banks, financial institutions and funds, aircraft and engine lessors, operators, export credit agencies and government agencies.

Experience & capabilities

Selected matters

Advised AerCap as servicer in relation to the US$600 million Gilead 2025-1 ABS*
Advised CDPQ in relation to the creation, together with SMBC Aviation Capital, of a US$1.5 billion global aircraft financing and leasing platform*
Advised the lenders in relation to the secured financing for Macquarie AirFinance’s acquisition of 76 aircraft from ALAFCO*
Advised VistaJet in relation to a US$200 million corporate revolving credit facility, secured by a flexible borrowing base of private and business jet aircraft collateral*
Advised UK Export Finance and certain commercial banks on £2 billion unsecured corporate loan facilities for British Airways*
Advised Nordic Aviation Capital in relation to the successful restructuring of approx. US$6.3 billion of its secured and unsecured debt, implemented through a pre-arranged U.S. Chapter 11 process*

* Experience from previous firm.