Vedder is an international business-focused law firm serving sophisticated clients of all sizes and industries from offices across the U.S. and in the UK and Asia.

A Business Focused Law Firm With a Global Reach | Vedder

General

Clay Thomas assists lenders, borrowers, issuers, equipment manufacturers, and airlines in negotiating and executing a wide range of financings and acquisition/disposition transactions in the aviation, rail and maritime industries.

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Recognized for his expertise in global transportation finance, Clay also advises sophisticated companies in the transportation sector on bankruptcy, insolvency issues, structuring matters and various secured and unsecured lending transactions.

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Clay’s considerable experience in structuring finance transactions includes a variety of capital market issuances and bank syndicate revolving and term loan facilities. He represents clients in U.S. and cross-border sale, lease and financing deals, including aircraft, vessel and rolling stock portfolio acquisitions and related financings, sale-leaseback transactions, operating and leveraged leases, export credit agency financings, mortgage financings, pooled collateral/warehouse loan facilities, asset-backed securitizations, secured and unsecured bond issuances and enhanced equipment trust certificate transactions. His work also encompasses aircraft and railcar investment fund formations and joint ventures.

With a calm demeanor during difficult and high-pressure situations, Clay maintains a balanced perspective and a steady approach to his clients’ transactions. His background as a tax accountant at a public accounting firm focusing on corporate, partnership, and international taxation also gives him an advantage in understanding financial statements, accounting and tax issues that influence many of his clients’ transactions.

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Advised a rail industry client in an&nbsp;acquisition&nbsp;financing for a large portfolio of railcars, including structuring the asset- and lease-level servicing aspects to serve as a platform for future structured finance initiatives.&nbsp;

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Closed multiple issuances of secured bonds in a programmatic facility collateralized by secured&nbsp;aircraft&nbsp;loan facilities for the underwriters and financial arrangers.&nbsp;

Represented&nbsp;a maritime industry borrower in a delayed draw warehouse loan facility secured by multiple business liens with widely varied collateral types in a structure novel to the industry.&nbsp;

Advised on&nbsp;multiple asset-backed term securitization transactions for a commercial&nbsp;aircraft&nbsp;lessor secured by portfolios of commercial&nbsp;aircraft&nbsp;and related operating leases.&nbsp;

Represented lenders in a bankruptcy-remote, revolving warehouse facility provided to an operating lessor to&nbsp;facilitate&nbsp;the acquisition and refinancing of a variety of commercial&nbsp;aircraft&nbsp;and engine assets.&nbsp;

Guided&nbsp;an issuer in a first-of-its-kind asset-backed term securitization transaction secured by a portfolio of inland and coastal waterway vessels and related bareboat charters.&nbsp;

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Los Angeles

Vedder Price Recognized for “Most Innovative Deal of 2022” by Ishka

Clay C. Thomas

Clay C. Thomas

Credentials

Education

Bar Admissions

Recognition

Insights & Events

Clay Thomas Named to LABJ Thriving in Their 40s 2025 List

Vedder Price Advises Initial Purchasers in $827 Million Aviation Loan ABS

Vedder Price Practice Areas and Attorneys Recognized in The Legal 500 United States in 2025

Vedder Price Represents Initial Purchasers in $729 Million Aviation Loan ABS

Vedder Price Wins Marine Money “Securitization Deal of the Year” Award

Clay Thomas Named to LABJ Thriving in Their 40s List

Vedder Price Advises Maritime Partners LLC in 750M Warehouse Financing Transaction

Vedder Price Represents SKY Leasing in $569 Million Aviation Portfolio Transaction

Clay C. Thomas

Credentials

Education

Bar Admissions

Recognition

Insights & Events

Clay Thomas Named to LABJ Thriving in Their 40s 2025 List

Vedder Price Advises Initial Purchasers in $827 Million Aviation Loan ABS

Vedder Price Practice Areas and Attorneys Recognized in The Legal 500 United States in 2025

Vedder Price Represents Initial Purchasers in $729 Million Aviation Loan ABS

Vedder Price Wins Marine Money “Securitization Deal of the Year” Award

Clay Thomas Named to LABJ Thriving in Their 40s List

Vedder Price Advises Maritime Partners LLC in 750M Warehouse Financing Transaction

Vedder Price Represents SKY Leasing in $569 Million Aviation Portfolio Transaction

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