David Berkery – Partner at Vinson & Elkins

David Berkery is a partner at Vinson & Elkins, an international law firm headquartered in Houston. He previously worked at A&L Goodbody in Dublin and Milbank in both New York and London.

He specializes in asset-backed securitizations (ABS), airline and aircraft lessor restructurings, secured and unsecured lending, aircraft portfolio sales, industry-specific joint ventures and mergers & acquisitions. Furthermore, he has experience with corporate debt transactions and holds tri-qualifications from New York, England & Wales and Ireland.

Early Life and Education

David Berkery is an academic who has made significant contributions to education. He has served as advisor to numerous school districts and state agencies, and also wrote reading program manuscripts for several publishers such as Ginn & Co., Silver Burdett & Ginn, National Geographic, and Pearson Scott-Foresman.

He is a professor at the University of New Hampshire and the son of Katherine and Eugene Berkery.

In December, when his father suffered cardiac arrest, Dr. Bill Berkery of his trusted cardiology practice called on Hornstein for CPR instruction. Over the phone, Dr. Berkery guided Hornstein through compressions on his dad’s chest while listening to a disco song recorded 15 years earlier.

Professional Career

David Berkery, a partner in A&L Goodbody’s Finance Department, has over 12 years of experience working across Ireland, London and New York. His expertise covers all aspects of acquisition, leasing, financing and trading aircraft, vessels and rolling stock.

He specializes in asset-backed securitisations (ABS), private placements, Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificate (EETC) offerings, secured and unsecured lending, portfolio sales and industry-specific joint ventures. He holds tri-qualifications to practice law in New York, England & Wales and Ireland.

On January 1st 2022, Vinson & Elkins established a New York-based aviation finance practice with David Berkery and Niels Jensen as partners. Together, they provide advice to airlines, aircraft leasing companies, financial institutions and private investors on a wide range of transactions such as asset-backed securitisations, airline and aircraft lessor restructurings, secured/unsecured lending, portfolio sales, industry-specific joint ventures and mergers & acquisitions.

Achievement and Honors

David Berkery is a Senior Partner at Vinson & Elkins and one of the eminent figures in aviation and finance. With more than 10 years of experience, he will now lead an expanding team of aviation lawyers and support personnel.

David Berkery has achieved many accolades over the course of his career, but what truly defines him as a successful professional is having the chance to work with an array of clients and help them improve their businesses. With an eye for growth, David has developed skills that translate into real results in business. Over this period, David has built lasting relationships with clients around the world.

He also finds time for painting and writing music, with ten albums ranging from his latest works to earlier creations.

Personal Life

David Berkery is a partner at Vinson & Elkins LLP and provides aviation finance advice to airlines, aircraft leasing companies, financial institutions and private investors.

In 2022, he established the firm’s aviation finance practice in New York City. He previously worked at A&L Goodbody LLP in Dublin and Milbank in both New York and London.

At the firm, he provided advice on asset-backed securitizations, airline and aircraft lessor restructurings, secured and unsecured lending, aviation portfolio sales, industry-specific joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions.

In January 2022, Niels Jensen of Vinson & Elkins joined his partner to launch an aviation and transportation finance team in New York. This group specializes in the aviation sector which is expected to experience tremendous growth over the ensuing years.

Net Worth

Tom Jones’ son Jon Berkery, 24, recounts how he lived on the street for two years after being rejected by his father during two separate visits. Sir Tom left him alone when Katherine Jones became pregnant with him in 1987 and refused to contact him, leading Mr Berkery – then known by his stage name Jon Jones – to sleep outside every night for two years.

For years, the singer denied fathering Mr Berkery; however, DNA tests in 1989 proved him to be his biological son and he agreed to pay $2,500 a month in child support. Unfortunately, Mr Berkery never received emotional support from his dad; instead of phone calls or birthday cards from him on special occasions it left him homeless or living off park benches, in his car or shelters. It left Mr Berkery with no choice but to seek solace from parks, cars or shelters while waiting for help to arrive.