Addleshaw Goddard has appointed Barbara Pansadoro as a Partner in its Finance & Projects group to lead and expand the firm’s aviation finance offering. She joins from HFW, bringing deep sector experience and a market-leading reputation for advising on high-value, cross-border aviation transactions.

Barbara is dual-qualified as a Solicitor of England & Wales and an Avvocato (Rome) and is widely recognised as a standout aviation finance lawyer. She has been named a “Rising Star” by Legal 500 UK (2021–22), a “Next Generation Partner” (2023–24), and a “Notable Practitioner” by Chambers UK (2021-25). Clients have consistently described her as “customer-focused, pragmatic and excellent in negotiations”, “always running the extra mile”, “extraordinarily knowledgeable in aircraft leasing”, and “a superb lawyer whose mind is like a steel trap.”

Her practice covers the full lifecycle of aviation finance, leasing, and restructuring work and is noted for the versatility of her workload, which runs the gamut from insurance-supported deals and complex hybrid financings incorporating commercial debt and tax-based lease structures, (including export credit agency-supported financings, Japanese operating leases (JOLCOs), Islamic finance, Italian and French tax leases, PDP facilities), through to aircraft and engine purchase contracts, sale and leaseback deals, and operating lease structures. She has acted for major international banks, lessors, and airlines on award-winning transactions including:

• the first ever BPI France AE covered engine financing transaction for 3 spare CFM engines (2022)
• Air Europa PDP and Sale-Leaseback — Sale and Leaseback Deal of the Year (2019)
• UKEF-supported financing for El Al Israel Airlines’ Boeing 787 — EMEA Supported Finance Deal of the Year (2018)
• The first-ever SACE-guaranteed financing of Boeing aircraft — European Debt Deal of the Year and Overall Supported Finance Deal of the Year (2017)
• Saudia operating lease of 50 aircraft — Operating Lease Deal of the Year (2016)
• ECA-backed Italian tax lease — Tax Lease Deal of the Year (2014)
• BNP Paribas ECA JOLCO — Tax Lease Deal of the Year (2013)

Barbara has also led on major lease restructurings, COVID-related financing workouts, and settlements linked to high-profile aircraft technical issues such as the Boeing 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner.

Her appointment marks a significant strategic investment by Addleshaw Goddard in the aviation finance and leasing sector, building on the firm’s strength in asset finance, asset-backed lending, and cross-border transport transactions. Barbara’s practice will work in close collaboration with colleagues across the firm’s global finance and transport platform.

Barbara also advises on corporate and private jet financing and has broader experience in trade receivables, securitisations, and warehouse facilities.

Steve Mackie Partner, Head of Group - Finance & Projects said:

Barbara Pansadoro partner at Addleshaw Goddard said:

“I’m excited to join Addleshaw Goddard at a time of renewed focus on aviation and asset finance. The firm has a strong commercial mindset and the platform to support complex and innovative deals across the global aviation market. I look forward to contributing to the firm’s growth in this space.”