Alert 03.31.22
Anne Lefever represents clients in large, complex commercial litigation in both state and federal courts, with a focus on aerospace but with experience across many other industries.
Anne has extensive experience representing all stakeholders in the aerospace industry—including aircraft manufacturers; purchasers; airlines; maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities; suppliers; lessees; and lessors—in disputes relating to aircraft design, build, financing, warranties, sales and leases, and return condition issues.
Anne is co-chair of the firm’s Canada practice group, and former summer program chair and hiring chair for the New York office.
Representative Experience
- Serves as outside counsel to Bombardier Inc. and its affiliates in virtually all its U.S. litigations, including disputes with business aircraft purchasers, commercial aircraft purchasers, suppliers, and MROs involving reconfiguration of aircraft, purchase of as-is, where-is aircraft, warranty coverage, manufacturing defects, delivery delays, and alleged unfair trade practices.
- Representing Triumph Group in litigation over sale and acquisition of a manufacturing facility.
- Represented Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. in litigation over post-closing liabilities for certain warranty claims in connection with an asset purchase agreement for two wing programs.
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- Represented WestJet Airlines Ltd. in a multimillion-dollar dispute with its supplier of in-flight television systems.
- Represented Willis Leasing Finance Corporation in litigation against aircraft lessee in connection with lessee’s failure to satisfy payment and redelivery condition obligations.
- Represented original equipment manufacturer in litigation arising out of alleged breaches of a data licensing agreement and development of supplemental- type certificates.
- Representing Triumph Group in litigation over sale and acquisition of a manufacturing facility.
- Advised foreign airline lessor in pre-litigation dispute with engine lessee over lessee’s failure to satisfy rent and maintenance reserve obligations, and lessor’s termination of the leases based on same.
- Advised multiple lessees and lessors in pre-litigation disputes over termination rights and obligations to take delivery of Boeing 737 Max 8s, following worldwide grounding.
- Advised European charter operator in pre-litigation negotiations with aircraft lessor involving delivery delays and failure to obtain proper certification.
- Advised charter operator in pre-litigation negotiations with its operator over payment disputes.
- Advised multiple aircraft operators, owners and lessors in connection with sole source suppliers’ attempts to increase price in violation of contractual price escalation provisions.
Professional Highlights
- The Legal 500 U.S., White-Collar Criminal Defense (2019–2021).
- Who’s Who Legal, Investigations: Future Leaders – Non-partners (2018).
- Recognized by Global Investigations Review to its 40 Under 40 list (2017).
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- Memberships & Associations
- International Aviation Women’s Association
- Aviation Working Group Disputes Subcommittee
- New York City Bar Association Aeronautics Committee
- Speaking Engagements
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“International Aviation Litigation Update,” American Bar Association Aircraft Financing Subcommittee, September 19, 2025.
- “International Trade and Sanctions Global Update and Airline Litigation Update,” American Bar Association Aircraft Financing Subcommittee, September 15, 2023.
- “Best Practices for Summary Judgment Motions,” Practising Law Institute, Pretrial Practice 2023, April 28, 2023.
- “Cleared for Takeoff? Delays, Defects and Payment Defaults: Drafting Supply and Purchase and Sale Agreements to Address the Things That Go Wrong (Under New York and English Law),” Airbus S.A., December 8, 2021.
- “COVID and Aviation Contract Rights,” Aviation Working Group, October 12, 2020.
- “The Bar Examination, Attorney Admissions and the Pandemic, A Conversation About Employment Issues for New Law Graduates in 2020,” New York City Bar Association, June 18, 2020.
- “What the Usufruct? Learning How to Bridge the Common Law/Civil Law Divide,” ABA Section of International Law 2018 Annual Conference, April 20, 2018. Panelist.
- “Lessons Learned,” Bombardier Legal Forum, 2013–2018.
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- External Publications
- “Theft or Loss of Business Opportunity,” Chapter 104, Commercial Litigation in New York State Courts, 2015–2025. Author.
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“Comparison with Business and Commercial Litigation in Canada,” Chapter 14, Business and Commercial Litigation in Federal Courts, 5th ed., Westlaw, 2021. Coauthor.
- “What To Make of Canada’s Proposed Deferred Prosecution Agreements,” The Lawyers Daily, Co-author.
- “Is Freezing Assets Needed to Pay Counsel of Choice Constitutional?,” New York Law Journal, 2013. Co-author.
- “The Sanity Clause: "4 Tips for a Better Liquidated Damages Clause,” Corporate Counsel, 2013. Co-author.
- “What Proceeds?,” New York Law Journal, 2009. Co-author.
- Firm Publications
- Specially Designated Nationals as Tenants: How Landlords Can Be Impacted by Sanctions Against Russian Nationals, Authors: Rachel B. Horsch, Nancy A. Fischer, Anne C. Lefever, Zachary C. Rozen, Samantha Franks, 03/31/2022.
- Tour de Force: COVID-19 and Force Majeure Client Alert Series. Authors: Andrew C. Smith, Anne C. Lefever, Brian L. Beckerman, Adam R. Poliner, Stephanie S. Gomez, Colin Davis, 06-01-20-05/25/21.
- CFTC Writes the Book on Enforcement: Commodity Futures Trading Commission Publishes Its First-Ever Enforcement Manual, Authors: Daniel N. Budofsky, Anne C. Lefever, Daryl L Kleiman, 05/16/19.
- NY State Appellate Court Sides with Airlines, Dismisses Tarmac Delay-Related Claims, Authors: Eric Fishman, Anne C. Lefever, Bradley A. Noojin, 02/04/13.
Education
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LL.B/B.C.L, McGill University, Faculty of Law, 2006
with great distinctionM.A., University of Colorado, Boulder, 2002
B.A., University of Alberta, 2000
first class honors
Admissions
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New York
Languages
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French