Danielle Roman

Overview

I am a Partner at Mourant Ozannes (Hong Kong) LLP and the Practice Leader of our Hong Kong Banking and Finance team, having practised in Asia for over 17 years. I advise on a broad spectrum of cross-border transactions, including fund finance, asset finance (in particular aviation and shipping), acquisition and leveraged finance, debt restructurings and general corporate lending.

In fund financing, I regularly represent private and commercial banks on subscription credit facilities, hybrids, NAVs and GP/Management facilities. I am on the global board of the Fund Finance Association and chair of the APAC Executive Committee, and am also a board member of Women in Fund Finance.

I have significant expertise in helping major financial institutions, lessors and investors on the financing and leasing of commercial aircraft, corporate jets and other related assets across a variety of structures. I also advise on the finance and leasing of ships, yachts and other vessels. I am on the advisory board for The Hague Court of Arbitration for Aviation and am on the leadership team and board member for Advancing Women in Aviation Roundtable (AWAR).

Prior to joining Mourant in 2012, I worked at Clifford Chance in Hong Kong and Dentons in London.

Professional qualifications 

Registered Foreign Lawyer, Hong Kong (currently non-practising)

Solicitor, England and Wales (currently non-practising)

Solicitor, British Virgin Islands

Memberships

• Advancing Women in Aviation Roundtable (AWAR)
• Fund Finance Association (FFA)
• Women in Fund Finance 
• The Hague Court of Arbitration for Aviation (The HAGUE CAA)

 Work highlights 

• Acted for Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking's Hong Kong Branch as lender to R-Bridge Healthcare Fund, L.P on a US$120 million hybrid facility. This landmark transaction is one of a small handful of hybrid facilities in the Asian fund finance market. R-Bridge Healthcare Fund is managed by CBC Group, Asia's largest healthcare-dedicated asset management firm headquartered in Singapore.

• Acted for AviLease on a $2.1 billion bridge financing for its $3.6 billion acquisition of Standard Chartered Group's aviation finance leasing business, Dublin-based Pembroke Aircraft Leasing. The acquisition includes AviLease's Isle of Man, Ireland and China subsidiaries. As part of the transaction, AviLease will also acquire a portfolio of 100 aircraft and become servicer for a further 22 aircraft.

• Acting for the arrangers in connection with the financing of BPEA EQT's US$1.25 billion acquisition of IMG Academy, a leading education institution supporting over 100,000 student athletes across its suite of sports education services. The deal was a first-of-a-kind transaction, with an Asian bank financing used to fund a U.S. acquisition with no immediate connection to Asia.

What the directories say

In Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific 2024, Danielle is individually ranked in Offshore: Corporate and Finance including Investment Funds. A source describes her as "exceptional", while another comments: "Danielle is a technically excellent lawyer who provides pragmatic and commercial advice. She definitely benefits from a longstanding and solid reputation in the fund finance industry." 

Danielle has been recognised as a leading aviation practitioner in Who's Who Legal – Transport since 2020. 

In Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2024, Danielle is ranked as a Leading Individual, and recognised as a "market-leader in fund financing."

In Legal 500 Caribbean 2024, Danielle is ranked as a Leading Individual in the area of Foreign-based Expertise, a category which recognises practitioners with notable Caribbean knowledge and experience based outside of the Caribbean region. She is described as "commercial, reliable and responsive."

In Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific 2023, Danielle is individually ranked in the area of Offshore: Corporate and Finance including Investment Funds. A source in the guide says: "Danielle's client service and responsiveness are fantastic; backed by her excellent technical knowledge and commercial awareness." 

"When it comes to being commercial and how to apply legal principles thoroughly, she is very good." Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2021. 

Danielle is, "The perfect balance of technical expertise, fast response time and value for money." Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2020.

'Danielle Roman is well regarded by clients, with one describing her as a "very switched-on, technically sound and business-minded" practitioner with a "very good work ethic." Her counsel is frequently sought on a diverse mix of financing transactions, ranging from acquisition finance and LBOs to asset and real estate finance', Chambers and Partners Global 2019.