Tom is a Legal Director in Clyde & Co's London aviation team. He has a well-developed practice covering both non-contentious and contentious aviation work, with a particular expertise in regulatory and commercial issues including airline licensing, traffic rights, package travel, consumer law and contractual matters. Tom also advises various blue chip companies and insurers regarding the development, operation and insurance of unmanned aircraft systems.
His broad experience in airport slot transactions is particularly noteworthy, having acted for Flybe in relation to the sale of its entire Gatwick slot portfolio to easyJet in 2013 and most recently for British Airways in its purchase of Monarch's entire Gatwick slot portfolio following the air carrier's entry into administration.
Tom provides ongoing guidance to various aviation stakeholders regarding the impact of Brexit on aviation, including advice to airlines regarding contingency measures to safeguard access to the EU's single aviation market. Tom was part of the team which wrote the "EBAA: Brexit scenarios for business aviation" report.
Tom also represents airlines, maintenance organisations and airports in multi-jurisdictional contentious matters (both insured and uninsured) including passenger, baggage and cargo claims, subrogated actions and debt recovery proceedings.
Tom's recent speaking engagements have included moderating a panel on passenger rights at the IATA Legal Symposium in Barcelona (February 2016), presenting to 25 senior airport representatives at Airport Council International's Brussels offices regarding the implications of Brexit (December 2016) and presentations at the BAR UK AGM, IATA Legal Forum, Getting The Deal Through Aviation Law Conference and European Regions Airline Association Conference (2017 and 2018). Tom also drafts regular articles and papers on aviation law matters, including for the Air & Space Law journal.
Recognised as one to watch, Tom was named as a 'Next Generation Lawyer' by Legal 500 (October 2017), was shortlisted for a Client Choice Award 2017 for the Aviation category in the UK and was named in Expert Guides' Rising Stars publication (aviation category) in 2016 and 2017.
