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Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance
John Howitt

John Howitt

Partner

Partner
John Howitt

John Howitt is a partner in the US Finance and Restructuring Group of Clifford Chance specializing in asset finance. In particular, he focuses on aircraft finance, including leveraged lease transactions, operating leases (domestic and cross-border), new and used aircraft purchases (including portfolio acquisitions), sales (including portfolio sales) and sale-leasebacks, securitizations, restructurings and manufacturer support arrangements.

John also has considerable experience in bank and private placement credit transactions, including asset-based financings; domestic and Latin American debt restructurings; acquisition and recapitalization financings; project financings; domestic, Eurodollar, and Eurocurrency loans; loan and note swaps; sales and participations; letter of credit facilities; and commercial paper facilities.

Contact details

Career and qualifications

  • University of California at Los Angeles (BA, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) 1975
  • Admitted as an Attorney-at-Law in California 1978
  • Admitted as an Attorney-at-Law in New York 1988
  • Joined Clifford Chance as a Partner 2006

Awards and citations

  • "John is really top-notch.”
    Chambers USA 2025: Transportation: Aviation: Finance (Nationwide) 
  • “John is very experienced and provides a good service.”
    Chambers USA 2025: Transportation: Aviation: Finance (Nationwide) 
  • John Howitt is a seasoned practitioner who continues to be highly regarded in this space, with a wealth of experience leading financing transactions, including securitizations, as well as handling complex loan restructurings.
    Chambers USA 2022: Transportation: Aviation: Finance (Nationwide) – Band 1