"He has considerable experience in the combined field of litigation and aviation"
By Chambers Global

Overview

Hugh Kowarsky has considerable  transactional and litigation experience, spanning aviation law, intellectual property, investment banking and financial services, securities law, mergers and acquisitions and corporate law.

As one of the most experienced IP experts in Israel, Hugh represents international and domestic clients in patent, trademark, copyright issues and passing-off actions, having great  experience before the Israel Patent Office in both prosecution and opposition proceedings. He also negotiates technology transfer agreements and licensing and operational contracts, notably in the life sciences and transportation sectors, in which he provides ongoing legal counsel to Israel’s research institutes, foreign airlines and international transportation and courier companies.

Hugh’s expertise includes advising financial institutions and investment banks on a wide range of legal and regulatory issues concerning the sector, including banking and securities regulation, the marketing of financial products, the regulation of the conduct of investment business in Israel and the enforceability and regulation of derivatives, credit default swaps, contracts for differences, repos and other forms of hedging contracts based on standard and non-standard market documentation. The Legal 500 has described Hugh as being a “real star” for his work in this field.

Hugh also co-heads the firm’s Aviation and Transport Practice, where his work in the field has been  recognised as being “very impressive, intelligent, and professional” (The Legal 500). Hugh advises airlines and courier companies on all legal, regulatory and contractual issues affecting the transport and aviation industry.

Hugh is a member of the “L2b Aviation” international network that is consistently ranked by Chambers Global as the Best Global Aviation Law Network:

 

Publications

Languages: EnglishHebrew
Admissions: Israel Bar, 1969
Education: Oxford University, Magdalen College, M.A. (Hons.) (Juris.), (1978)Oxford University, Magdalen College, B.A. (Hons.) (Juris.), (1966)University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, B.A. in Political Science (Hons), (1963)

Experience

  • Providing opinions to many international banks, investment houses and insurance companies with regard to the policy and regulations that apply to financial instruments, financing, insurance licensing and other related issues in Israel, including to JP Morgan, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, AXA Equity, Morgan Stanley and Prudential Life.
  • Acting for Yeda, the technology transfer arm of the Weizmann Institute, and Hadasit, the technology transfer arm of the Hadassah Medical Organisation, on the licensing and commercialisation of their IP.
  • Representing leading foreign and domestic corporations in acquiring and selling business entities, as well as in the arrangement of financing, including Flying Cargo in the sale of its international transport unit to Deutsche Bank, and Hewlett-Packard in the purchase of its Israeli distributor.
  • Representing government-owned entities on major infrastructure projects in Israel, including the Israel Electric Corporation concerning power stations and the Paz Group concerning a tender for a solar energy project.
  • Acting for British Airways, Ryanair and other international airlines in licensing and operational matters, regulatory proceedings, class actions and other litigation, including passenger claims made against the airlines.

 

Recognition

  • Hugh is a recipient of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for legal services provided as Legal Advisor to HM Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Israel.

Hugh is frequently recommended by the top global legal directories, including:

  • The Legal 500 2023: Hugh was ranked as a Leading Individual in the field of Transport.
  • The Legal 500 2022: Hugh was ranked as a Leading Individual in the field of Transport- “Hugh Kowarsky is recommended for his broad aviation expertise; provides a personalised approach.”
  • Chambers Global 2022: “He has an eye for detail and a very personable approach.”; “He has considerable experience in the combined field of litigation and aviation.”
  • Chambers Global 2020: ranks Hugh individually in the field of transportation and aviation: “Hugh Kowarsky possesses experience acting for major airlines in litigation and is also engaged in ongoing advice in the sector. Sources say that ‘he is certainly a person of prominence and importance in aviation transactions.’”
  • The Legal 500 2020: ranks Hugh, individually, as one of Israel’s leading lawyers in the field of Aviation.
  • Chambers Global 2019: recognised by sources as “one of the leading lawyers in aviation.”
  • Chambers Global 2018: “Totally dedicated to aviation and very respected.”One market commentator went on to describe him as “one of the best.”
  • WTR1000 (The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals) lists Hugh as one of the firm’s IP experts.

Other Activities

  • Hugh is a former captain of the Israeli national cricket team.
  • He is a member of AIPPI – International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property.

Recent News

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Client Update: Aviation Practice Group

14/11/2019 | By S. Horowitz & Co.

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Client Update: Aviation Practice Group

12/03/2019 | By S. Horowitz & Co.

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Top Ranked By Chambers Global 2019

18/02/2019 | By S. Horowitz & Co.

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Client Update: Aviation Practice Group

12/11/2018 | By S. Horowitz & Co.

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Client Update: Aviation Practice Group

16/08/2018 | By S. Horowitz & Co.

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Client Update: Aviation practice group

05/06/2018 | By S. Horowitz & Co.

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Client Update- Aviation practice group

13/05/2018 | By S. Horowitz & Co.

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Client Update- Aviation practice group

30/04/2018 | By S. Horowitz & Co.

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Client Update- Aviation practice group

10/04/2018 | By S. Horowitz & Co.

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Client Update: Aviation practice group

25/03/2018 | By S. Horowitz & Co.

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