K&L Gates has added Joel Surendran back to the firm's Tokyo office as a senior associate in the finance practice.
Surendran previously served as an associate with K&L Gates from 2021 to 2025. He rejoins the firm from Anderson Mori & Tomotsune.
He advises on cross-border aviation finance and leasing transactions, as well as related commercial and contractual matters, with a particular focus on transactions involving Japan, the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, and the Middle East. His experience includes advising lessors, airlines, financiers, and investors on aircraft finance, leasing, purchase, and novation transactions.
“We are delighted to welcome Joel back to the firm," said K&L Gates partner at Tokyo office and global aviation finance ”His cross-border aviation finance experience, coupled with his background in technology and commercial matters, allows him to support clients on increasingly complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions in the aviation sector and beyond.”
Additionally, Surendran advises on cross-border commercial, technology, and sports-adjacent matters. He originally trained and qualified in technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) and commercial law and continues to draw on this background when advising on commercial contracting, licensing, digital, and data-driven issues arising in transactions, especially those in cross-border contexts.
Surendran is admitted to practice in England and Wales and is fluent in English and Tamil.