About Me

I am a partner in our Finance & Financial Regulation Group, based in Germany. With long-standing expertise in the finance sector I have a particular focus on asset finance.

My work includes advising companies, banks, investors and arrangers on all types of finance and investment related matters with a particular focus on aircraft leasing and other forms of asset investment transactions. In the aviation sector, I further advise airlines, lessors and lenders on a wide range of other aviation related matter including aviation regulatory, aircraft maintenance, general commercial and other aviation specific topics. I have been working with many leading European airlines and have particularly assisted airlines in their negotiations and disputes with OEM and large maintenance organisations.
I believe in long term relationships and am proud to have been able to accompany many of my aviation clients through various economic cycles and stages of their entrepreneurial career as a trusted advisor.
I completed my legal education at the universities of Erlangen, Germany, and Rennes, France (Maîtrise en droit), and served my legal traineeship (Referendariat) in Nuremberg and New York. Before joining Bird & Bird in April 2013, I worked for a Magic Circle law firm and prior to that as a research assistant for Prof Rohe at the University of Erlangen. I love to fly and am a holder of a private pilot licence.
Experience
  • Wascosa AG: Advice on the acquisition of Nacco GmbH and the take-over of the German business of Nacco SAS in connection to the partial sale, demanded by the Federal Cartel Office, ahead of the sale of Nacco SAS to vtg Aktiengesellschaft.
  • Swiss Infrastructure fund: Advice on the acquisition and the transfer of use of twelve Alstom Prima H3 Hybrid shunting locomotives.
  • DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale: Advice in connection with the purchase and financing (borrowed capital and various classes of bonds) of two used Boeings 777-300ER and an Airbus A380-861 plane, which are leased to emirates. We won the Airfinance Journal Innovative Deal of the Year 2016 Award with this project.
  • EMP Structured Assets GmbH: Advice on two ECA Guaranteed Multicurrency A380 Lease financings for Emirates with Korean junior funding.
  • A German investment arranger: Advice on the purchase and financing of a new Airbus A380-842 aircraft and three used Airbus A380 aircraft leased to Emirates via an Islamic Ijaara Financing and a remaining equity portion via Subordinated Loan Notes held by German private investors.
Education

Studied

  • University of Erlangen, Germany, doctor of laws (Dr. jur.) degree with a doctoral thesis on comparative law on French and German civil law.
  • University of Rennes, France (Maîtrise en droit).
  • Legal traineeship (Referendariat) in Nuremberg and New York.

Admissions

  • Admitted to the German bar in 2005
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Testimonials

"He is a valued adviser to leasing companies and investment funds, whom he assists with various types of acquisition and lease financing products […] A client is full of appreciation, explaining: 'We have an extraordinary relationship of trust with him anticipating our needs and being able to think outside the box.'"

Chambers Europe, 2021, Transportation: Rail & Aviation Asset Finance – Germany, Band 2

"A client states: 'Matthias Winter negotiates with a cool head, unites conflicting parties so that they agree on a commercially sound solution.'"

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms, 2021

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