Jeffrey S. Tenen

Partner / Miami | New York

Jeffrey S. Tenen is a Partner in the Global Transport Practice of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP.

Full Bio

Mr. Tenen’s primary areas of practice are aircraft finance and leasing, cross-border structured lending and asset-based financing transactions, aviation, and international business and commercial transactions. He represents domestic and foreign air carriers, leasing companies and lenders on such matters as aircraft acquisitions, sales, leasing and financings (including export credit, capital markets and manufacturer supported financings, mortgage financings and cross-border leveraged lease financing transactions), spare parts and engine financings, aircraft operating lease transactions, progress payment financings, international development bank facilities, receivables and aircraft securitizations, fuel and currency hedging, comprehensive code share and marketing alliances, cargo handling agreements, computer reservation systems and similar agreements, commodity and service procurement agreements, airline mergers and acquisitions, regulatory matters before the Federal Aviation Administration and related corporate and commercial matters affecting airlines and leasing companies.
Representative Experience
- Counsel clients regarding the acquisition of several billion dollars of commercial transport category aircraft.
- Advised TACA International Airlines, S.A. in connection with first European Export Credit Agency supported financing of Airbus products to Latin America (an AirFinance Journal Deal of the Year for Latin America).
- Representation of carriers and leasing companies in Exim, BNDES and European ECA transactions.
- Advised a major Latin American carrier in connection with US dollar denominated Amex/Visa receivables securitization.
- Representation of various leasing companies in connection with numerous cross-border operating leases to carriers in Latin America, Europe and Asia.
- Representation of airlines in Japanese, German and Swedish leveraged lease and French “credit-bail” financings and unwinds.
- Representation of airlines in connection with data services and systems procurement and support contracts.
- Representation of VOLARIS in connection with its fleet expansion program in respect of Airbus A319 and A320 Aircraft.
Bar Admissions

Florida
New York
Maryland
Education
Undergraduate
- Tufts University
Law School
- Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law
Languages

French, Spanish, and Portuguese
Memberships
- American Bar Association
Recognitions

Chambers USA, Transportation: Aviation: Finance, USA-Nationwide (2013-2025)
Listed, Best Lawyers®, Miami "Lawyer of the Year," Corporate Law (2025)
Listed, Best Lawyers®, Miami "Lawyer of the Year," Securitization and Structured Finance (2015, 2022, 2024, 2025)
Listed, Best Lawyers®, Miami "Lawyer of the Year," Transportation Law (2020, 2025)
Listed, Best Lawyers®, Miami "Lawyer of the Year," Derivatives and Futures Law (2012, 2014, 2018, 2021, 2023)
Team Member, AirFinance Journal, "Latin America Deal of the Year" Award (2019)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America®, Miami, Corporate Law; Derivatives and Futures Law; Securitization and Structured Finance Law; Transportation Law (2006-2026)
Listed, Chambers USA Guide, Transportation: Aviation: Finance, USA-Nationwide (2009-2022)
Team Member, "Latin America Deal of the Year" Award, AirFinance Journal (2016)
Listed, Who’s Who Legal, Transport – Aviation Finance (2015, 2020)
Listed, Expert Guides for Aviation, Legal Media Group (2013-2019)
Listed, Expert Guides, "The Best of the Best USA," Aviation (2009-2018)
Team Member, "Corporate & Finance - International Counsel in Latin America (Florida-Based)" Award, Chambers Latin America Awards (2010, 2011, 2015, 2016)
Leader, team selected by AirFinance Journal for "Regional Jet/Turboprop Deal of the Year" Award (2013)
Legal Media Group’s Expert Guide, Best of the Best (United States) (2013-2018)
Listed, The Legal 500 United States, Asset Finance & Leasing (2013)
Listed, Euromoney Expert Guides, Aviation (2009-2013)
Listed, International Who's Who - Legal (2009-2018)
Team Member, Latin Lawyer's "Deal of the Year - Restructuring" Award (2012)
Listed, Chambers Global (2009, 2011)
Member, team selected by Chambers and Partners for "Focus on Latin America - Law Firm of the Year (Florida-Based)" Award, Chambers Latin America Inaugural Awards for Excellence (2009)
SGR Publications
Press