Lewis C. Ledyard, III is a Partner of Morris James’ finance practice, a group that has been involved in over $100 billion in financings for a wide range of clients.

Lew focuses primarily on the organization and operation of statutory and common law trusts, limited liability companies, and other Delaware business entities in commercial and business transactions, used predominantly in commercial aviation and infrastructure finance. His practice also includes acting as Delaware counsel to banks, trustees, financial institutions, and other parties in domestic and cross-border transactions such as leveraged leases and asset-backed securitizations.

Experience
  • Representing financial institutions acting as trustees and fiduciaries in structured finance transactions involving aircraft, rolling stock, energy and infrastructure facilities, as well as other asset-backed finance transactions
  • Providing Delaware law legal opinions on matters concerning Delaware common law and statutory trusts, limited liability companies, partnerships and corporations
Recent Matters
  • Numerous aircraft finance transactions involving loan guarantees by several export credit agencies including the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Export Development Canada and the Export Credits Guarantee Department of the United Kingdom
  • Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificate (“EETC”) transactions involving Continental Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways
  • The first EETC transaction involving European air carriers
  • JOLCO aircraft finance
  • AFIC guaranteed structured finance
  • International finance transactions involving guarantees by Delaware companies
  • Participating in the development of GATS on behalf of aircraft trustees
  • Project finance transactions involving funding and/or guarantees provided by the United States Department of Defense and the United States Department of Energy
News

06.06.22

Lewis Lazarus and Kirsten Zeberkiewicz Participate in DSBA Corporation Law Section Seminar

10.22.14

Morris James Leads Delaware Today “Top Lawyers” Edition

Articles & Publications
An Overview of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act

09.06.24

An Overview of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act

08.30.22

2022 Amendments to the Delaware Statutory Trust Act

08.02.22

2022 Amendments to the Delaware Alternative Entity Statutes

01.12.22

Overview of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act in Structured Finance Transactions

See More

Engaged in the Community

  • Former Member of the Board of the Brandywine River Museum and Conservancy
  • Former Trustee of the Grand Opera House in Wilmington, Delaware
  • Former Trustee of the Upland Country Day School
Honors
  • Best Lawyers, 2020 - Present
  • Chambers USA, 2018 - 2019 Recognized for Corporate/M&A: Alternative Entities
  • Delaware Today Top Lawyers
    • 2021 Delaware Business Commercial Law
    • 2017 Top Vote-Getter, Corporate Law
    • 2014 Top Vote-Getter, Aviation Law
  • Delaware Volunteer Legal Services Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2009

Services

Admissions

  • Delaware, 1990

Education

  • Villanova University School of Law, JD, 1990
  • Tulane University, BA, 1986

Professional Affiliations

  • Delaware State Bar Association, Commercial Law Section
  • American Bar Association, Section of Business Law
  • Trustee Subcommittee of the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment on Matters Specific to
  • Aircraft Equipment (the “Cape Town Convention”)
  • Drafting Committee of the Aviation Working Group
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