Global law firm K&L Gates has again been ranked among the leading law firms in Ishka Airfinance’s 2026 Legal Survey, ranking sixth globally, fourth overall in Asia-Pacific, and fourth overall in Europe. 

The 2026 Survey also ranks K&L Gates second in operating leases, third in structured leases, and fifth in sale and purchase transactions. The structured lease data demonstrates particularly strong growth for the firm, which doubled its number of transactions in the category from the previous year.  

Robert Melson, Tokyo partner and a leader of K&L Gates’ global Aviation Finance practice, said: “We are very proud of our global team’s performance and pleased to see the strength of our practice reflected across both regional and product rankings. Retaining our position as the second-ranked law firm for operating lease transactions, alongside strong results across Asia-Pacific and Europe, reflects the breadth of work our team is handling for clients around the world. We are also pleased to see our structured lease activity double over the past year. We greatly appreciate the trust and support of our clients and are grateful to see our team’s work recognized once again by Ishka Airfinance.”

Ishka Airfinance’s annual Legal Survey ranks law firms advising aviation finance transactions using law firm submissions and transactions contained in its Market Intelligence database. The 2026 survey covers commercial aircraft transactions completed during calendar year 2025 and compiled 1,504 unique deals. The survey assesses firms by region and product type, with scoring also taking into account firms’ roles and the complexity of submitted transactions.  

K&L Gates’ Aviation Finance practice represents financial institutions, leasing companies, and airlines around the world in connection with aircraft finance and leasing transactions, including the structuring, documenting, and negotiating of aircraft finance transactions and cross-border transactions involving multiple jurisdictions. The team works closely with colleagues in the tax, regulatory, and litigation support practice groups to advise and assist financial institutions, leasing companies, and airlines on a variety of aviation matters.