International law firm Ince & Co is delighted to announce the appointment of Hugh O’Donovan (pictured above), who will join the firm’s Aviation Group as Head of Commercial Aviation on 21st February 2014, from Quadrant Chambers.

Hugh is a barrister and former solicitor who has specialised in aviation regulatory, commercial and competition law for nearly 30 years and is one of the most experienced and highly respected aviation lawyers in the UK. His particular expertise covers international air transport regulation, all aspects of commercial agreements in the aviation industry, corporate transactions, and EU and UK competition law and merger regulation particularly as these apply to the aviation sector.

Hugh has acted for an extensive number of airlines, airports, regulators, governments, investors and financiers. He was the “legal architect” of easyJet, advising on its start-up and its development. Hugh has also advised the travel industry, Governments in Africa, the Far East and elsewhere on the development and implementation of air transport liberalisation, and in recent years he has advised on a number of airline restructurings and strategic initiatives as well as aircraft financing.

Ince's Global Head of Aviation, Gillie Belsham says: “Hugh's extensive aviation experience and expertise will be invaluable across the full breadth of our aviation practice and I am delighted to welcome him to the Ince Aviation team.”

“Hugh joining our team will help us accelerate the further development of our global aviation practice. His knowledge, experience and reputation strengthens our capability to deliver outstanding levels of service and commercial advice to our clients," she adds.

Luke Parsons QC, Head of Quadrant Chambers said: “We are extremely grateful for the invaluable contribution Hugh has put in at a key stage of Quadrant's growth and wish him well in this exciting next stage of his career. Given the nature of Hugh's practice, with its strong emphasis on advisory and transactional work, this move makes great sense both for him and for Ince & Co. Hugh has a wealth of expertise in the aviation field and his addition to the team will make the established relationship between Quadrant and Ince even stronger. We look forward to continuing to work with Hugh and the Ince Aviation team.”

Hugh O'Donovan, who will be based in the firm's London office, says: “Just as this fascinating and exciting industry has changed and developed over the last 30 years, so I have always sought to develop and adapt my legal practice to be in the best position to participate and offer my services as an aviation lawyer. Ince's reputation for delivering the highest quality legal advice and its ambitions to develop its already thriving aviation practice around the world make me really excited to be joining its Aviation Group at this stage.”