Addleshaw Goddard Launches Middle East Aviation Finance Practice with Senior Partner Appointment
Addleshaw Goddard has announced the launch of its Aviation Finance practice in the Middle East, marked by the appointment of Shyamal Jeewoolall as Partner in its Dubai office.
The move signals the firm’s continued strategic expansion in the region, as demand for specialised legal expertise in aviation finance continues to grow across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia-Pacific markets.
Jeewoolall joins from Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW), bringing extensive international experience advising airlines, aircraft leasing companies, banks, and financial institutions. His expertise spans a wide range of asset finance transactions, including pre-delivery financings, export credit-backed deals, commercial debt structures, Islamic financing, restructuring, and aviation asset acquisitions.
Having trained in London and worked across Paris, Singapore, and Dubai, Jeewoolall brings a strong global perspective. He has been based in Dubai for over a decade and will now support Addleshaw Goddard’s clients across multiple regions from the firm’s Middle East hub.
During his time at HFW, he played a key role in building and expanding its Aircraft Finance practice globally, leading partner-level growth across major financial centres including London, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Sydney.
The firm said the appointment reflects its ambition to establish a market-leading aviation finance offering in the Middle East, a region that continues to position itself as a critical hub for global aviation investment and financing activity.
Robin Hickman, Head of Middle East at Addleshaw Goddard, described the appointment as a “significant milestone”, highlighting Jeewoolall’s deep sector knowledge and international track record as key to supporting clients in increasingly complex, high-value aviation transactions.
Commenting on his new role, Jeewoolall said the Middle East remains a key centre for aviation finance, adding that he looks forward to building a strong, integrated practice that delivers commercially focused legal solutions to clients.
The launch comes at a time when the aviation sector is witnessing renewed growth, with increasing demand for innovative financing structures and cross-border advisory expertise.
