Brian E. Liu is a corporate partner and a member of the firm’s Aviation Practice Group. His practice focuses on all aspects of aviation and equipment finance, and he regularly represents airlines, leasing companies and financial institutions.
Mr. Liu’s extensive experience includes advising clients on enhanced equipment trust certificate and secured notes issuances, securitizations, syndicated credit facilities, second lien facilities, warehouse facilities, sale/leasebacks and restructurings. A number of transactions on which he has worked have been selected for “Deal of the Year” industry honors; these complex structured financings, encompassing portfolio securitizations and U.S. and foreign carrier EETCs, have been recognized within the aviation finance industry for their innovation and significance.
Mr. Liu joined the firm in 2017. Prior to joining Debevoise, he served as partner at an international law firm, focusing on equipment finance matters.
Mr. Liu is ranked as a leading practitioner for aviation finance by Chambers USA (2024), where he is described as “a brilliant attorney in the airline space” and “a master of his craft.” Clients note that “his attention to detail, awareness and responsiveness make him a unique advisor.” They say that he is “a solution-based thinker who shows a keen attention to detail and gets things done” and “his market awareness, breadth and depth of knowledge associated with aircraft financing and leasing is outstanding.” He is also described as “an amazing attorney who exceeds all expectations.” Mr. Liu is recognized for his aviation finance capabilities in The Legal 500 US (2024), where he has been described as “a consummate problem solver with deep industry experience.” He is also named a Rising Star by Law360 and Airfinance Journal.
Mr. Liu earned his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 2006 and received his B.A. from Northwestern University in 2003.