Author/contributor
Paul Jebely
Partner
When it comes time for ultra-high-net-worth individuals to acquire or operate private aircraft or yachts, they look for lawyers who combine deep market knowledge, commercial acumen, industry gravitas, technical awareness, and an ability to guide transactions that often span various jurisdictions and cultures.
Out of 30 lawyers worldwide that made the cut in the Spear’s 500 Aviation & Yacht Lawyers Index 2025, Spear’s placed only four in its Top Flight tier. Paul – one of just two practitioners who concentrate on private jets and the only practitioner with a truly international focus – earned that distinction for 2025.
For nearly two decades, he has acted as lead counsel on aircraft transactions worth nearly $24 billion and has advised clients whose combined wealth exceeds $1 trillion. Media outlets – from the Financial Times to Forbes – cite him as the “top private jet lawyer”, while Chambers & Partners (where he also ranks at the top globally) has called him “the billionaire whisperer.”
About Spear’s 500
Spear’s ranks advisers who serve the world’s wealthiest families. Its research team interviews peers, reviews client feedback, and examines deal records before assigning scores that feed into each annual index. Inclusion signals a lawyer’s track record in complex, high-value matters and consistent client praise. The Top Flight tier sits at the apex of that research – signaling an adviser’s sustained success in the most complex, high-value matters.
Transactions involving private aircraft or super yachts demand more than familiarity with boilerplate contracts. They involve export-control rules, tax regulations that vary by registry, and increasingly strict environmental standards. Spear’s recognition reflects Paul’s experience, as the sole international jet specialist on its index, managing these complexities across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
If you would like to discuss an upcoming acquisition, refinancing, or operational issue, reach out to Paul.