Posted: 01/10/2024
Top 50 law firm Penningtons Manches Cooper has hired Patrick Slomski to strengthen its capabilities in the aviation and aerospace sector.
Patrick, who joins as a partner from Clyde & Co, has developed a highly successful practice covering both contentious and non-contentious civil and defence industry aerospace matters.
His contentious work focuses on English and multi-jurisdictional insurance and reinsurance coverage disputes and complex claims, including aviation catastrophe work, major commercial disputes, aerospace subrogation matters. Patrick has been noted by clients for his aptitude for analysis of complex technical cases.
He has led numerous high profile cases throughout his career, ranging across the Pan Am Lockerbie disaster litigation against Libya, claims arising out of the Bristow Helicopters north sea loss, Aircraft Purchase Fleet Limited –v- Compagnia Aerea Italiana S.p.A (a US$200 million contractual dispute over fleet leasing), the Leicester City helicopter crash, and (for a number of Lloyd’s and company insurers), the English coverage litigation concerning alleged loss of western owned leased aircraft following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He is also one of only a small number of UK-based specialists to routinely be instructed by insurers in high value satellite and space-related matters.
Patrick’s non-contentious work includes matters relating to drone regulation and risk mitigation, deployment of military equipment, legal support of major civil and military aerospace equipment development programmes (industry side), and commercial maintenance organisation contracts.
Patrick is a Fellow of, and the Honorary Solicitor to, the Royal Aeronautical Society, a former examiner for the Chartered Insurance Institute and a contributing author to a number of publications including 'Drone Law and Policy' (Routledge 2022).
With more than 20 years of experience, Patrick’s appointment will add further weight to Penningtons Manches Cooper’s aviation and aerospace team, which is about to begin a 12-week High Court hearing on the largest and most high-profile aviation case of its kind in recent years.
Known as the AerCap litigation, it concerns complex insurance disputes relating to foreign aircraft leased to Russian operators. Following the invasion of Ukraine, international sanctions prohibited the provision of insurance to these operators, leaving hundreds of planes stranded. Several aircraft leasing companies are now seeking compensation from their insurers in respect of their losses. The total value of the lost aircraft is over $10 billion.
The firm’s work on the AerCap litigation is led by Louise High. Patrick, who is no longer acting on the case, will work closely with Louise to further develop the firm’s aviation insurance work, and its presence in the sector more widely.
Louise commented: “Patrick has a brilliant reputation in the market; his extensive experience and knowledge means he is very well known in the aviation and aerospace sectors internationally. We are absolutely delighted that he is joining our team. He will be a fantastic asset as we seek to build on new opportunities and further grow the practice.”
Partner Clare Arthurs, head of strategy for Penningtons Manches Cooper’s disputes division, added: “Patrick is a recognised expert in aviation and aerospace law. His recruitment responds to client demand in a growth sector, and will allow us to build on our existing aviation capabilities. Insurance is also a growth sector for the firm, so Patrick’s specialist expertise adds strength there too.”
Email Louise
+44 (0)20 7457 3039
Email Patrick
+44 (0)20 7753 7553
Email Clare
020 7872 8602
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Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC311575 and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under number 419867.
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