Ian Skuse, a leading commercial lawyer in the airline, business travel and leisure travel sectors, joins Blake Morgan as a partner following the recent merger with London firm Piper Smith Watton.
Ian is a well-known figure in the aviation industry and advises major airlines on regulatory and commercial matters as well as handling commercial disputes.
He is also a leading advisor in the business and leisure travel sectors, with clients including tour operators, travel agents, destination management companies and hotels.
Also joining the team is Jim Edmunds, who brings decades of experience in the aircraft and airline sector. His background includes positions as in-house counsel for Lombard and then Lloyds leasing, and a key role developing the aviation operation at the law firm Beaumont & Son (now Clyde and Co), at the time rated as the world’s foremost aviation law firm.
These appointments follow the appointment of Mark Turnbull to partner in 2013 and the addition of David Daws and his team in 2011.
Blake Morgan partner Ben Graham-Evans, who leads the aviation team, said: “We are all delighted to welcome Ian and Jim to the team.
“Both are very well-known and respected in the aviation industry and bring a wealth of expertise and experience with them. Blake Morgan’s practice in aircraft finance and leasing is already internationally recognised and established but these appointments enable us to build on this reputation and grow our offering in commercial law, litigation and other legal services to the wider aviation and travel sector.
“In addition to these senior appointments we have been concentrating on training and recruiting some junior lawyers with specialist knowledge in this area to enable us to add strength in depth to the team. We were very pleased to have recently recruited Gareth Hawes and even more recently, Andrew Dixon.
“Gareth trained with London aviation specialists Clarke Ricketts and Andrew trained with Blake Morgan. Both work closely with all members of the team that operates as one team across both the London and Southampton offices.