AERLEX LAW GROUP NAMED A TOP PRIVATE AVIATION FIRM BY CHAMBERS AND PARTNERS

The Aerlex Law Group recently received a very high commendation when Chambers and Partners, a London-based company that specializes in the evaluation and assessment of law firms and attorneys worldwide, included Aerlex in its premier edition of the “Chambers High Net Worth Guide,” a resource intended to identify the best lawyers and law firms serving the high net worth community.

In its premier edition of the High Net Worth Guide, Chambers selected only 12 firms from around the globe providing services to the private aircraft industry. Of those, only five, including Aerlex, have offices in the United States. Aerlex is the only aviation boutique firm headquartered and based solely in the U.S. on the Chambers list.

The Chambers profile, which includes quotations from various anonymous sources, reads as follows:

Based in Santa Monica, Aerlex Law Group is a recognised leader in business aviation law and one of the most renowned specialist aviation firms in the USA. It is regarded as “one of the top boutique firms in this area.” The firm punches above its weight in this sector and “has all the right components to grow successfully,” sources say. Market insiders highlight the firm’s strong client base and technical expertise as key factors. “They represent a lot of prominent HNW and celebrity clients,” reports one interviewee. “They have the necessary specialist knowledge in this sector and really know what they are doing,” asserts another.
The firm has a dedicated team of aviation lawyers and professionals, who provide distinctive and comprehensive services in connection with aircraft acquisition and ownership. The team is considered to be “efficient and unquestionably good to deal with.” 

 

Notable practitioners

 

Amanda Applegate is senior transactional counsel at Aerlex Law Group and has extensive experience in the field of business aircraft ownership, management and operations. Applegate developed a reputation in the private aviation industry during her time as vice-president of NetJets and is recognised as one of the most diligent transactional lawyers in this field. Interviewees describe Applegate as a “very smart attorney” and a “very solid transactional lawyer,” who is “very active in this sector” and “makes a real effort in this industry.”

 

Stephen Hofer is president of the firm and has a reputation as one of the most senior and experienced private aviation lawyers in the USA. He is “very visible and active within the industry,” representing high net worth clients and media personalities in issues concerning the ownership and operation of aircraft. “He has built up quite a reputation in this sector and is known for acting for some quite prominent clients,” says one source. He is further praised for being a “very good and very experienced lawyer.” In recent years Hofer has spoken to numerous aviation organisations, Bar associations and trade groups.

Since 1990, Chambers and Partners has identified and ranked the most outstanding law firms and lawyers in some 185 countries throughout the world. During that time, the company has developed a reputation for thoroughness and independence that has attracted a client audience of notable size and quality. Chambers and Partners’ expert guides are trusted by in-house counsel worldwide for their objectivity and integrity. Chambers produces guides for the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific region, Canada and the Global market. Each directory is the culmination of thousands of interviews with lawyers and clients carried out by the largest research team of its kind. In launching its new High Net Worth Guide, Chambers aims to provide a valuable reference for family offices and professional advisers to wealthy individuals.