Mehtap Cevher Conti

Partner

Mehtap Cevher Conti advises financial institutions, aircraft operating lessors, and airlines on complex domestic and cross-border aviation financings, including leasing, secured lending, and structured financings. She works closely with clients on secured debt, export credit agency supported transactions, revolving credit facilities, leveraged leases, operating leases, and portfolio acquisitions. Mehtap also structures and executes asset-backed structured financings and securitizations for commercial and investment banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, aircraft operating lessors, and airlines.

Mehtap additionally counsels on the purchase and lease financing of corporate aircraft and helicopters. She frequently handles finance transactions that involve multiple global jurisdictions. Mehtap, a native of Türkiye, is fluent in Turkish. Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Mehtap was a partner at another global law firm.

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  • Represented a private equity fund manager in connection with aviation matters in its take-private acquisition of a leading operating lessor and cargo operator
  • Represented a private equity fund manager in connection with aviation and supply chain contracts matters in its acquisition of a manufacturer of advanced forged and machine-finished components for aerospace and industrial end markets
  • Represented two financial institutions in a first-time co-risk mitigant structure under which a US EXIM-guaranteed loan and a secured loan covered by an AFIC non-payment insurance policy were advanced together to finance the purchase of one Gulfstream G700 aircraft
  • Represented a US bank on the US EXIM-guaranteed financing for a foreign airline for the purchase of two Boeing 787-10 aircraft
  • Represented an operating lessor on its sale and leaseback of six Airbus A321neo aircraft with a US airline
  • Represented an operating lessor in connection with the finance lease of one Boeing 737-800 aircraft to a Canadian operator
  • Represented a foreign low-cost carrier on a number of secured loan facilities, the upsizing of the facilities, and a number of aircraft acquisitions
  • Represented a US bank in connection with US EXIM-supported financing of engines services for a foreign airline
  • Represented a US bank in connection with a US EXIM-supported financing for a cargo operator to fund the purchase of the last two Boeing 747 aircraft ever produced
  • Represented an operating lessor in connection with the sale and leaseback of six Airbus A321-200 aircraft for a US airline
  • Represented an operating lessor in connection with the sale and leaseback of 10 Boeing 737-800 aircraft for a major US airline
  • Represented a European airline in connection with the restructuring of its various credit facilities
  • Represented a European bank in connection with a number of term loan facilities secured by corporate aircraft
  • Advised a global private jet company in connection with its investment and lease arrangements with a China-based aviation company
  • Represented a private aviation company as aviation counsel in its acquisition of a jet charter company
  • Represented a private aviation company as aviation counsel in its acquisition of a jet operator
  • Acted for the issuer of Rule 144A bonds secured by an aircraft portfolio of about 70 aircraft
  • Advised a bank in connection with numerous senior term loans secured by aircraft and operating leases involving various airlines in varied jurisdictions
  • Advised a bank in connection with the mortgage financing of two aircraft for a major US airline
  • Advised a bank in connection with the repossession of an aircraft and a dispute over return conditions
  • Advised several banks in connection with the restructuring of leveraged lease transactions during the bankruptcy proceedings of two US airlines
  • Advised an export credit agency in connection with senior secured debt financing for an aircraft lessor
  • Advised borrowers in connection with two dozen export credit agency supported facilities, providing financing for more than 90 aircraft
  • Represented a bank in connection with the mortgage financing of two helicopters
  • Represented an export credit agency in connection with the aircraft financing for an Australian airline
  • Represented an operating lessor in connection with multiple sale and leaseback transactions involving Chinese airlines
  • Represented an operating lessor in connection with the purchase and acquisition finance of a portfolio of about 20 aircraft
  • Represented an operating lessor in connection with the transfer of a portfolio of about 130 aircraft on lease to numerous airlines in different jurisdictions
  • Represented an operating lessor in the purchase and acquisition finance of a portfolio of about 100 aircraft
  • Boston College Law School, 2002, J.D., cum laude
  • Koç University, 1998, B.A., honors
  • New York
  • Massachusetts

Ranked, Transportation: Aviation: Finance, Nationwide, Chambers USA (2023–2025)

Listed, Euromoney’s Women in Business Law Expert Guide, Aviation (2022)

Member, International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading

Member, International Aerospace Women’s Association

Board Member, Advancing Women in Aviation Roundtable

Ambassador, Airlink

Board Member, The Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law, New York Chapter

Former Governing Committee Member, American Bar Association, Forum on Air & Space Law