dChan - Q Origins Project Archive

Robert Wray PLLC

ABOUT OUR FOUNDER

In 2003, Robert T. Wray, together with Geraldine R.S. Mataka, founded robert wray pllc, realizing their vision of a law firm with a focused practice and a dedication to providing high-level client service in a professional and collegial environment. Mr. Wray’s legal career reflected the breadth of his interests and expertise in the practice of law. At the age of 33, he was appointed by President Nixon to serve as General Counsel of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). During his time at USAID, Mr. Wray was responsible for the asset and personnel allocation, legal structure, formation and start-up of the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation. He focused his practice on international commercial and financial law for over 30 years, holding senior positions at TRW, Inc., the Export-Import Bank of the United States and Holland & Knight LLP. Mr. Wray’s personal interests demonstrated his incomparable joie de vivre and inexorable curiosity of all matters, from the sciences and meteorology to Buddhism and opera. He was an accomplished amateur yachtsman who, at the helm of his Annapolis-based Etchells-class racing yacht, Stingwray, placed in renowned regattas such as the Etchells World Championship the Annapolis NOOD (National Offshore One-Design) Regatta. We continue to be inspired and guided by Mr. Wray’s ideals and remain true to the principles upon which our firm was founded.

http://www.robertwraypllc.com/about-us/

Geraldine R.S. Mataka

Ms. Mataka is the Managing Member of the firm. She practices in the areas of international commercial and financial law, with a focus on aviation finance. She has extensive experience representing clients in the financing of aircraft, engines and other equipment and services for commercial airlines, operating lessors, financial leasing companies, and helicopter lessors and operators. These complex cross-border leasing transactions have involved capital markets offerings, export credit agency financings, subordinated debt and pre-delivery payments financings. Ms. Mataka has represented the Export-Import Bank of the United States for many years and has been lead counsel in novel and noteworthy transactions, including the financing of business jets for Chinese leasing companies and the first and largest Ex-Im Bank guaranteed bond issuance by a helicopter leasing company for the financing of Sikorsky helicopters. Ms. Mataka has also advised clients in a variety of other cross-border matters, including international microfinance organizations on the transformation of non-profit entities into regulated financial institutions, a large cruise company in the development of political risk insurance coverage, a concession company in the privatization of the international airport in Belize, a lending bank in the financing of a geothermal field and power plant project in Nicaragua, and an air transport IT company in acquisitions, licensing and general corporate matters. Ms. Mataka has been recognized by Who’s Who Legal: Transport as a leader in the field of aviation finance. She received her B.A. in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia and earned her J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. She is admitted to practice in New York and the District of Columbia.

2016 Airfinance Journal: Export Credit Deal of the Year – SunExpress/Ex-Im Bank French Lease

2012 Airfinance Journal: Africa Deal of the Year – Ethiopian Airlines

2012 Trade Finance Magazine: Deal of the Year – Ethiopian Airlines

2012 Airfinance Journal: South America Deal of the Year – Gol Linhas Aéreas S.A.

2010 Jane’s Transport Finance: African Aircraft Debt Deal of the Year – Ethiopian Airlines

2008 Airfinance Journal: Latin America Deal of the Year – TAM Linhas Aéreas S.A.

http://www.robertwraypllc.com/geraldine-r-s-mataka/