John D. Saunders

John D. Saunders is a partner in the Corporate and International Section and a member of the Firm’s Air Transport Industry Group.

Mr. Saunders has many years of experience in aircraft acquisition and financing matters with a particular expertise relating to engine acquisition, financing, leasing and maintenance issues. He has been the responsible partner on numerous acquisition campaigns relating to engine acquisitions for installation on Boeing, Airbus, Embraer and other aircraft. Within the recent past he has headed the engine selection and acquisition team for major commercial airline clients in the U.S. and South America in connection with major campaigns relating to engine selection, maintenance and support for Boeing 737 and 787 aircraft and Airbus A319, A320 and A330 aircraft.

He also has significant experience in representing air carriers in general corporate matters, asset acquisitions and contract and lease negotiations.

In addition, Mr. Saunders has over 30 years experience in representing U.S. and foreign based clients in a variety of matters including general corporate, acquisitions, securities, joint ventures and related business issues. He has developed a unique niche in representing Scandinavian firms and currently represents approximately 20 Finnish based companies in connection with their U.S. activities, as well as other European based concerns.

Mr. Saunders has published writings regarding his international work including “Doing Business in the United States - Options for Finnish Business” and “Lessons Learned - How to Avoid Common Mistakes.” Currently, he is a member of the American Bar Association and State Bar of Georgia. Mr. Saunders is a past president of the Buckhead Rotary Club and is a past president and currently secretary and a director of the Finnish American Chamber of Commerce of the Southeast, Inc. He is on the Board of Governors of the Scandinavian American Foundation of Georgia, and a former member of the Advisory Committee of the European Union Center of the University System of Georgia in Atlanta. He is a trustee of the Otis Jackson Scholarship Foundation, and past Chairman of the board of directors of the Tommy Nobis Center (which assists disabled persons) and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Council for International Visitors. He is also the Honorary Consul of Finland for the State of Georgia and the Second Vice Dean of the Atlanta Consular Corps.

He received his B.A. and LL.B. degrees, with distinction, from Emory University. Mr. Saunders’ honorary memberships include Omicron Delta Kappa and The Bryan Society. In addition, he was Editor-In-Chief of the Emory University law review (the Journal of Public Law) during law school.