Aviation
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Representing Established Airlines and Aviation Innovators
Wilson Sonsini's clients include commercial airlines and innovative companies behind growing aviation sectors, including unmanned aircraft and advanced avionics.
Aviation inherently depends on technology, particularly communications, sensors, computers, testing machinery, and other complex systems. Technology also enables the equipment used to monitor air transportation, such as signs, signals, and air traffic control systems. Advances in aviation technology have created new opportunities for the firm's clients, including traditional component manufacturers and software vendors whose innovative products are integrated into aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other aviation equipment, as well as private companies entering the fast-growing drone market.
As the premier law firm provider to technology companies, Wilson Sonsini represents both leading, established participants in the aviation industry and the innovators that are advancing the future of aviation technology. For example, the firm provides representation to commercial airlines as well as companies that manufacture and market drones and advanced electronics for aerial vehicles.
Overview
Aviation inherently depends on technology, particularly communications, sensors, computers, testing machinery, and other complex systems. Technology also enables the equipment used to monitor air transportation, such as signs, signals, and air traffic control systems. Advances in aviation technology have created new opportunities for the firm's clients, including traditional component manufacturers and software vendors whose innovative products are integrated into aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other aviation equipment, as well as private companies entering the fast-growing drone market.
As the premier law firm provider to technology companies, Wilson Sonsini represents both leading, established participants in the aviation industry and the innovators that are advancing the future of aviation technology. For example, the firm provides representation to commercial airlines as well as companies that manufacture and market drones and advanced electronics for aerial vehicles.
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises Hawaiian Airlines on Cargo Deal with Amazon
On October 21, 2022, Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc., announced an agreement with Amazon.com, Inc. in which Hawaiian will operate and maintain aircraft to move cargo for Amazon. As part of the transaction, Hawaiian issued Amazon warrants to purchase up to 15 percent of its shares of common stock, exercisable over nine years. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised Hawaiian on the transaction.
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises DroneDeploy on Acquisition of StructionSite
On October 12, 2022, DroneDeploy, the leading aerial reality capture platform, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire StructionSite, a leading provider of ground reality capture for the construction industry. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is advising DroneDeploy on the transaction.
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises Zipline on $250 Million Financing
On June 30, 2021, Zipline, the global leader in instant logistics, announced $250 million in new funding, bringing the company’s valuation to $2.75 billion. New investors Fidelity, Intercorp, Emerging Capital Partners, and Reinvent Capital participated in the round, along with existing investors including Baillie Gifford, Temasek, and Katalyst Ventures. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised Zipline on the financing.
Zipline designs, manufactures, and operates the world’s largest automated on-demand delivery service. The new financing will enable the company to continue advancing its integrated service, including its autonomy platform, aircraft, fulfillment systems, and operations. The funding will also fuel continued expansion into new industries and geographies, transforming systems like healthcare and commerce with instant logistics.
The Wilson Sonsini team that advised Zipline on the financing includes:
Zipline designs, manufactures, and operates the world’s largest automated on-demand delivery service. The new financing will enable the company to continue advancing its integrated service, including its autonomy platform, aircraft, fulfillment systems, and operations. The funding will also fuel continued expansion into new industries and geographies, transforming systems like healthcare and commerce with instant logistics.
The Wilson Sonsini team that advised Zipline on the financing includes:
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises Hawaiian Airlines, Holdings on Loyalty Program Financing
On February 4, 2021, Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. (the "company"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., completed an upsized unregistered offering by Hawaiian Brand Intellectual Property, Ltd. (the "brand issuer") and HawaiianMiles Loyalty, Ltd., (the "loyalty issuer," and, together with the brand issuer, the "issuers"), each an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the company.
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises ZeroAvia on $21.4 Million Series A to Accelerate Zero-Emission, Hydrogen-Fueled Planes
On December 16, 2020, ZeroAvia, a company with a mission to transition the world to zero-emission, hydrogen-fueled flight, picked up a significant tailwind as it announced $21.4 million in new funding in a Series A round. Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Ecosystem Integrity Fund led the raise, with follow-on investors Amazon Climate Pledge Fund, Horizons Ventures, Shell Ventures, and Summa Equity. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati represented ZeroAvia in the transaction.
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises Hawaiian Airlines in Offering of 5,000,000 Shares of Common Stock
On December 1, 2020, Hawaiian Airlines announced the offering of up to an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares of its common stock. The company is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "HA." On November 30, the last reported sale price of its common stock was $20.26 per share. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, BNP Paribas Securities Corp., and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC are acting as the bookrunning managers for the transaction. Hawaiian Airlines currently intends to use the net proceeds from this offering, if any, for general corporate purposes. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is representing Hawaiian Airlines in the transaction.
Insights
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises Hawaiian Airlines on Cargo Deal with Amazon
On October 21, 2022, Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc., announced an agreement with Amazon.com, Inc. in which Hawaiian will operate and maintain aircraft to move cargo for Amazon. As part of the transaction, Hawaiian issued Amazon warrants to purchase up to 15 percent of its shares of common stock, exercisable over nine years. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised Hawaiian on the transaction.
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises DroneDeploy on Acquisition of StructionSite
On October 12, 2022, DroneDeploy, the leading aerial reality capture platform, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire StructionSite, a leading provider of ground reality capture for the construction industry. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is advising DroneDeploy on the transaction.
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises Zipline on $250 Million Financing
On June 30, 2021, Zipline, the global leader in instant logistics, announced $250 million in new funding, bringing the company’s valuation to $2.75 billion. New investors Fidelity, Intercorp, Emerging Capital Partners, and Reinvent Capital participated in the round, along with existing investors including Baillie Gifford, Temasek, and Katalyst Ventures. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised Zipline on the financing.
Zipline designs, manufactures, and operates the world’s largest automated on-demand delivery service. The new financing will enable the company to continue advancing its integrated service, including its autonomy platform, aircraft, fulfillment systems, and operations. The funding will also fuel continued expansion into new industries and geographies, transforming systems like healthcare and commerce with instant logistics.
The Wilson Sonsini team that advised Zipline on the financing includes:
Zipline designs, manufactures, and operates the world’s largest automated on-demand delivery service. The new financing will enable the company to continue advancing its integrated service, including its autonomy platform, aircraft, fulfillment systems, and operations. The funding will also fuel continued expansion into new industries and geographies, transforming systems like healthcare and commerce with instant logistics.
The Wilson Sonsini team that advised Zipline on the financing includes:
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises Hawaiian Airlines, Holdings on Loyalty Program Financing
On February 4, 2021, Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. (the "company"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., completed an upsized unregistered offering by Hawaiian Brand Intellectual Property, Ltd. (the "brand issuer") and HawaiianMiles Loyalty, Ltd., (the "loyalty issuer," and, together with the brand issuer, the "issuers"), each an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the company.
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises ZeroAvia on $21.4 Million Series A to Accelerate Zero-Emission, Hydrogen-Fueled Planes
On December 16, 2020, ZeroAvia, a company with a mission to transition the world to zero-emission, hydrogen-fueled flight, picked up a significant tailwind as it announced $21.4 million in new funding in a Series A round. Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Ecosystem Integrity Fund led the raise, with follow-on investors Amazon Climate Pledge Fund, Horizons Ventures, Shell Ventures, and Summa Equity. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati represented ZeroAvia in the transaction.
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises Hawaiian Airlines in Offering of 5,000,000 Shares of Common Stock
On December 1, 2020, Hawaiian Airlines announced the offering of up to an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares of its common stock. The company is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "HA." On November 30, the last reported sale price of its common stock was $20.26 per share. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, BNP Paribas Securities Corp., and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC are acting as the bookrunning managers for the transaction. Hawaiian Airlines currently intends to use the net proceeds from this offering, if any, for general corporate purposes. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is representing Hawaiian Airlines in the transaction.
Affiliated Programs
London Forum on Global Economic Sanctions
The London Forum on Global Economic Sanctions 2023 program will provide attendees with the most up-to-date developments in economic sanctions from leading financial services organizations as well as global exporters. This is a must-attend for sanctions and financial crime prevention experts.
Affiliated Programs
IAPP Europe Data Protection Congress
Europe’s top gathering of data protection professionals is returning for its 12th year in Brussels. The IAPP Europe Data Protection Congress 2023 is the place for delegates to gain insights and working knowledge that will allow you to set a course for the future of your data protection operation.
Affiliated Programs
GP Bullhound Allstars 2023
Allstars recognizes and celebrates the successes and achievements within Europe’s technology universe, drawing attention to those who are shaping the industry’s future and creating the global winners of tomorrow. Dubbed the ‘Oscars of the tech world’ Allstars has stood strong as one of Europe’s leading events for the last 20 years.
Speaking Engagements
Seedlegal’s Raise Your “A” Game
Join Seedlegal’s for a tactical and informative panel discussion on the journey of raising seed funding all the way to series A. This event, hosted with HSBC Innovation Banking and in partnership with Hiscox and Crowdcube, brings together a group of seasoned entrepreneurs, angel investors, and venture capitalists who will willingly share their personal triumphs and failures, giving you data-driven insights into the world of startup funding.
Speaking Engagements
2nd Annual Prosocial Summit
A virtual event for leaders focused on helping online communities thrive, the 2nd annual ProSocial Summit includes speaking and networking sessions - all to better inform Trust & Safety, marketing, user experience, data scientist, and engineering teams on how to create safer communities for everyone.
Events
Affiliated Programs
London Forum on Global Economic Sanctions
The London Forum on Global Economic Sanctions 2023 program will provide attendees with the most up-to-date developments in economic sanctions from leading financial services organizations as well as global exporters. This is a must-attend for sanctions and financial crime prevention experts.
Affiliated Programs
IAPP Europe Data Protection Congress
Europe’s top gathering of data protection professionals is returning for its 12th year in Brussels. The IAPP Europe Data Protection Congress 2023 is the place for delegates to gain insights and working knowledge that will allow you to set a course for the future of your data protection operation.
Affiliated Programs
GP Bullhound Allstars 2023
Allstars recognizes and celebrates the successes and achievements within Europe’s technology universe, drawing attention to those who are shaping the industry’s future and creating the global winners of tomorrow. Dubbed the ‘Oscars of the tech world’ Allstars has stood strong as one of Europe’s leading events for the last 20 years.
Speaking Engagements
Seedlegal’s Raise Your “A” Game
Join Seedlegal’s for a tactical and informative panel discussion on the journey of raising seed funding all the way to series A. This event, hosted with HSBC Innovation Banking and in partnership with Hiscox and Crowdcube, brings together a group of seasoned entrepreneurs, angel investors, and venture capitalists who will willingly share their personal triumphs and failures, giving you data-driven insights into the world of startup funding.
Speaking Engagements
2nd Annual Prosocial Summit
A virtual event for leaders focused on helping online communities thrive, the 2nd annual ProSocial Summit includes speaking and networking sessions - all to better inform Trust & Safety, marketing, user experience, data scientist, and engineering teams on how to create safer communities for everyone.
Mark B. Baudler
Partner
Mark is a corporate law veteran, having advised start-ups and mature public companies for more than 25 years.
Mark R. Fitzgerald
Partner
Mark is a veteran attorney who advises technology and life sciences companies on corporate law and transactional matters.
Charlotte J. Kim
Partner
Charlotte’s practice focuses on global corporate finance with particular expertise in the energy, healthcare, life sciences and biotech, software, retail, manufacturing, aviation, materials science, foodtech, agtech, and tech sectors.
Marc Porter
Partner
Marc Porter is a corporate partner in the Salt Lake City office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where his practice focuses on the representation of emerging technology, consumer product and life science companies, and the venture capital firms that fund them, in Utah and beyond. He executes a substantial volume of financings and liquidity events each year for early- to late-stage private companies as well as venture capital firms. Marc is a trusted advisor to executives, boards of directors, entrepreneurs and venture capital fund managers.
Craig E. Sherman
Partner
Craig represents companies, venture capital firms, and investment banks in private placements and public offerings. He also has M&A, technology licensing, and domestic and international joint venture experience.
Damien M. Weiss
Partner
Damien Weiss is a partner in the SOMA office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where he helps start-ups and unicorns raise capital.
Zack Lenox
Associate
Zack Lenox is an associate in the corporate and securities practice in Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati’s San Francisco office. He focuses on corporate governance, public company representation, capital markets, and venture capital financings. His practice covers a wide range of activities related to securities law compliance, disclosure, and corporate governance matters.
People
Mark B. Baudler
Partner
Mark is a corporate law veteran, having advised start-ups and mature public companies for more than 25 years.
Mark R. Fitzgerald
Partner
Mark is a veteran attorney who advises technology and life sciences companies on corporate law and transactional matters.
Charlotte J. Kim
Partner
Charlotte’s practice focuses on global corporate finance with particular expertise in the energy, healthcare, life sciences and biotech, software, retail, manufacturing, aviation, materials science, foodtech, agtech, and tech sectors.
Marc Porter
Partner
Marc Porter is a corporate partner in the Salt Lake City office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where his practice focuses on the representation of emerging technology, consumer product and life science companies, and the venture capital firms that fund them, in Utah and beyond. He executes a substantial volume of financings and liquidity events each year for early- to late-stage private companies as well as venture capital firms. Marc is a trusted advisor to executives, boards of directors, entrepreneurs and venture capital fund managers.
Craig E. Sherman
Partner
Craig represents companies, venture capital firms, and investment banks in private placements and public offerings. He also has M&A, technology licensing, and domestic and international joint venture experience.
Damien M. Weiss
Partner
Damien Weiss is a partner in the SOMA office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where he helps start-ups and unicorns raise capital.
Zack Lenox
Associate
Zack Lenox is an associate in the corporate and securities practice in Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati’s San Francisco office. He focuses on corporate governance, public company representation, capital markets, and venture capital financings. His practice covers a wide range of activities related to securities law compliance, disclosure, and corporate governance matters.
Related Practices
Recent Insights
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises Hawaiian Airlines on Cargo Deal with Amazon
On October 21, 2022, Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc., announced an agreement with Amazon.com, Inc. in which Hawaiian will operate and maintain aircraft to move cargo for Amazon. As part of the transaction, Hawaiian issued Amazon warrants to purchase up to 15 percent of its shares of common stock, exercisable over nine years. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised Hawaiian on the transaction.
Learn More
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises DroneDeploy on Acquisition of StructionSite
On October 12, 2022, DroneDeploy, the leading aerial reality capture platform, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire StructionSite, a leading provider of ground reality capture for the construction industry. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is advising DroneDeploy on the transaction.
Learn More
Recent Events
Affiliated Programs
London Forum on Global Economic Sanctions
The London Forum on Global Economic Sanctions 2023 program will provide attendees with the most up-to-date developments in economic sanctions from leading financial services organizations as well as global exporters. This is a must-attend for sanctions and financial crime prevention experts.
Learn More
Affiliated Programs
IAPP Europe Data Protection Congress
Europe’s top gathering of data protection professionals is returning for its 12th year in Brussels. The IAPP Europe Data Protection Congress 2023 is the place for delegates to gain insights and working knowledge that will allow you to set a course for the future of your data protection operation.
Learn More
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