Former Fiji Airways and Flybe CEO joins Clyde & Co. Double partner hire sees Dave Pflieger join the firm in the US while Tannie Kwong joins in Hong Kong from Cathay Pacific 28 October 2026 Two experienced aviation partners - including the former CEO of Fiji Airways and Flybe - have joined Clyde & Co's global aviation practice in the US and Asia-Pacific, respectively. Dave Pflieger, who successfully turned around and relaunched Fiji Airways but whose subsequent tenure at UK regional airline Flybe ended with its second collapse, will be based across three US cities: Atlanta, San Francisco and Washington DC. Tannie Kwong, meanwhile, joins from Cathay Pacific, where he served as senior legal counsel responsible for the airline's disputes and, most recently, as head of customer support. The appointments come as Clyde & Co continues to replenish the senior ranks of its global aviation practice following a number of departures, including that of former global aviation practice chair Robert Lawson KC earlier this year. Advertisement Kevin Sutherland, the US-based chair of Clyde & Co's aviation group, said: "Aviation remains one of the most international and highly regulated sectors in which our clients operate. As airlines, airports, lessors, insurers and investors respond to growing demand and continued industry transformation, access to specialist advice with deep sector knowledge is more important than ever." Pflieger brings more than 30 years of senior legal, financial, commercial, operational and aviation safety experience. Having served five times as an airline CEO, he has also held roles as general counsel, COO, board member, director of flight safety, commercial airline captain (Airbus and Boeing) and Air Force instructor pilot, including leadership positions at some of the industry's most recognised airlines. He was a founding officer and senior executive who helped launch and grow Virgin America, serving as general counsel among other roles. He also held legal and flight safety roles at Delta, including a senior position at its low-cost airline, Song. He subsequently led the successful turnaround and rebranding of Air Pacific into Fiji Airways. He has also served as CEO of Silver Airways, Hawaii Island Air and Ravn Air Group in the US. In 2021, he was hired to lead the post-administration relaunch of Flybe, managing the regional carrier until it entered administration for a second time in January 2023. LAW OVER BORDERS COMPARATIVE GUIDES Fashion Law Guide Fashion Law Over Borders Comparative Guide brings together leading fashion and intellectual property lawyers to provide a comprehensive analysis of the legal landscape shaping today's global fashion industry... | 6mos. Pflieger said he was "looking forward to working with my new colleagues across the globe to advise and assist airlines, lessors, MROs, ground handlers, airports, investors, insurers, and other key players to overcome industry challenges, grow, and achieve even greater success." Kwong, meanwhile, is a disputes lawyer with nearly 20 years' experience, including 14 years focused on trade and transport. Based in Hong Kong, his appointment strengthens Clyde & Co's ability to support aviation clients across the Asia-Pacific region. Before joining Cathay Pacific, he practised as a transport and commercial litigation lawyer in Sydney and spent a short in-house stint with Pacific Andes in China. Kwong said: "I am excited to join a team that is so deeply embedded in the sector and look forward to working with colleagues across the region and globally to help clients seize opportunities, manage risk and navigate the complex challenges facing the industry." The hires are the latest in a string of aviation partner appointments globally, including former Army officer and barrister Nick Roberts, who joined in London from Norton Rose Fulbright in May, Nick Humphrey, who rejoined in Dubai from Norton White in July, and Bushra Abu Tayeh, who joined in Dubai from Al Tamimi & Company in April. The firm also promoted aviation finance specialist Cecily Scutt to partner in London in September and aviation disputes lawyer Autumn Lewis to partner in the US in November last year. However, the firm has also lost a number of aviation specialists. Fladgate hired aviation finance partner Nick Harding and legal director Kirstin MacDougall from Clyde & Co, both joining as partners to launch an aviation finance practice earlier this month. Lawson, the former global aviation head, returned to Quadrant Chambers in February after nine years at the firm, while in June Kennedys rehired aviation partner Rob Ireland and Alius Law recruited London aviation specialist Robert Mumford.

TerraLex appoints former Norton Rose Fulbright collaboration chief as CEO. Darryl Cross succeeds Terri Pepper, who is stepping down after more than a decade at the international law firm network 21 October 2026 Law firm network TerraLex has appointed a senior Norton Rose Fulbright executive as its next chief executive, replacing longstanding head Terri Pepper. Darryl Cross joined the network last month from Norton Rose Fulbright, where he was global chief collaboration officer, a role in which he was responsible for strengthening cross-border collaboration within the firm. He is currently serving as co-CEO alongside Pepper, who will step down at the end of October to launch her own consulting firm. Advertisement He said one of his priorities would be to anticipate and respond to client needs more quickly: "We're taking a very client-centric focus, trying to anticipate what clients will be running into over the next three to six months, and then be agile enough to assemble teams and groups of people on the fly to solve an entire business problem for a client." Cross's association with TerraLex dates back to 2002-04 when he was chief marketing officer at national US law firm Benesch Law. Since then, his roles have included law firms practice group leader at Intapp and head of Amazon Web Services' sales methodology team. Derek Humphery-Smith, TerraLex's global chair and a partner at Australian firm Lander & Rogers, said Cross was "the ideal person to lead our network into its next chapter" given his "deep understanding of international law firms, proven ability to connect people across jurisdictions and longstanding relationship with TerraLex". LAW OVER BORDERS COMPARATIVE GUIDES Family Asset Protection Law Guide: Divorce, Finance and the Media The second edition of the Family Asset Protection Law Guide is written by leading family law and contentious trusts specialists from around the world... | 1yr. Cross credited Pepper with transforming TerraLex over a tenure spanning more than a decade. In 2021, she was appointed as TerraLex's first CEO after leading the network in various capacities since 2016. Under her leadership, the network introduced member standards, launched the AI-powered tool myLexi and established the NextGen Advisory Committee to engage younger lawyers. The TerraLex network is made up of more than 140 law firms fielding 23,000 lawyers in more than 135 countries. TerraLex's headquarters are in Miami Lakes, Florida.

Norton Rose Fulbright advises Lesha Bank on purchase of 33-aircraft portfolio from Avolon. Norton Rose Fulbright has advised Qatar's Lesha Bank on its acquisition of a portfolio of 33 commercial aircraft from Avolon, the Irish aircraft lessor, the law firm announced on 19 October. The purchase was made through an investment structure on behalf of the Lesha Aviation Fund. The aircraft are leased to 25 airlines around the world, and once the deal completes the portfolio will be managed by Lesha Aviation Services. The transaction supports Lesha Bank's strategy of building a Shari'a-compliant aviation investment platform around income-generating assets. Avolon and Lesha Bank first announced the agreement on 28 September. According to Avolon, the deal will take the fleet managed by Lesha Aviation Services to more than 75 aircraft. Neither side disclosed the price. The legal team. Norton Rose Fulbright advised Lesha Bank on all aspects of the transaction. Its multi-jurisdictional team was led by partners Leo Fattorini in Singapore and Alex Blaney and Andrew Williams in London, with counsel Chris Healy in Hong Kong and senior associate Chiranj Shah in London, supported by more than 20 other lawyers across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the US. "We are delighted to have supported Lesha on this significant acquisition," Fattorini said. "The transaction demonstrates the continued strength of the aviation leasing market and investor appetite for high-quality aircraft assets. It also highlights Lesha's growing presence in the sector and its commitment to building a diversified aviation investment platform." Norton Rose Fulbright's aviation practice works with airlines, banks and financiers, lessors, insurers, export credit agencies, governments and regulators, and the firm says it holds ten Tier 1 rankings in the Chambers and Legal 500 directories. The firm has more than 3,000 lawyers worldwide. Both sides of the deal. When the sale was announced, Avolon's chief executive, Andy Cronin, said: "Aircraft trading is a core part of Avolon's strategy, enabling us to actively manage our portfolio, realise value and recycle capital." Avolon's fleet stood at 1,117 owned, managed and committed aircraft at 30 June 2026, serving 138 airlines in 60 countries, according to the lessor. Mohammed Ismail Al Emadi, group chief executive of Lesha Bank, said: "Adding a portfolio of this calibre, with established lessees and a strong technology mix, reinforces the resilience and long-term earnings profile we are targeting." The acquisition comes amid growing appetite for aviation assets among Gulf investors, particularly entities backed by sovereign wealth funds, Reuters reported. Earlier this year Lesha Bank made an unsuccessful bid for the aircraft leasing platform Macquarie AirFinance, which was bought by Dubai Aerospace Enterprise in a deal valued at $9bn.