Sebastian Smith is a partner in the firm’s Finance practice. He has a wide range of aviation experience and regularly advises leasing companies, financial institutions, export credit agencies, institutional lenders, and airlines in respect of cross-border aircraft finance and leasing transactions. He has significant experience with the JOL/JOLCO market in Japan and has niche experience in advising on aircraft freighter conversions and Unit Leasing Device (ULD) agreements. He has also been a key figure on M&A transactions/joint ventures for aircraft leasing and banking clients.
Sebastian has extensive disputes and restructuring experience in the aviation arena and has advised clients on distressed transactions during the COVID crisis and issues arising from Russian sanctions.
One client praises him saying “He's very commercial, practical and focused on getting the deal done within the allotted timeframe.” (Chambers Asia-Pacific Guide, 2022)
Sebastian previously worked at a Magic Circle law firm in London. During his tenure there, he was seconded to both Airbus and RBS Aviation Capital (now named SMBC Aviation Capital).
- Recognized by Chambers Asia-Pacific and Chambers Global for Banking & Finance: International Asset Finance in Japan, 2019-2025
- Recognized by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a Recommended Lawyer for Banking and Finance - International firms and joint ventures in Japan, 2019-2024
- Advised on Aviation 100 European Restructuring Deal of the Year, Airline Economics, 2023
- Advised on Aviation 100 Asia-Pacific Debt Deal of the Year, Airline Economics, 2022
- Advised on Aviation 100, Middle East & Africa Supported Finance Deal of the Year, Airline Economics, 2022
- Recommended by The Best Lawyers in Japan™ for Asset Finance Law in Tokyo, 2020-2022
- Listed as a “Expert” by Expert Guides: Aviation, 2021-2022
- Advised on the Insolvency & Restructuring Deal of the Year, Australasian Law Awards, 2021
- Listed as a “Rising Star” by Expert Guides: Aviation, 2019-2020
- Advised on Aviation 100 Asia-Pacific Debt Deal of the Year, Airline Economics, 2019
- Advised on Aviation 100 Asia-Pacific Overall Deal of the Year, Airline Economics, 2019
- Advised on “ABS Deal of the Year” AirFinance Journal Awards, 2019
- Recognized by Chambers Global as a Foreign Expert Based in Singapore for Banking & Finance (Experts Based Abroad) in Japan, 2017-2018
- Airline Economics’ Equity Deal of the Year, 2017
- Global Transport Finance’s “Aircraft Lessor JOLCO deal of the Year, 2016
- AirFinance Journal’s PDP Deal of the Year, 2014
- Listed as a “Rising Star” by AirFinance Journal, 2014
- Roundtable Discussion, “Frontiers of Collaboration: Commercial Innovation and Opportunities in Space,” jointly hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce and British Chamber of Commerce, 10 July 2025
- Moderator, “Leasing & Asset Manager Panel,” Airline Economics Growth Frontiers, 10 April 2025
- Panel Member, Tokyo AirFinance Engine Round Table, 2017
Articles- Japanese Law
- Japan: Loan signing and Drawdown (CPs) Q&A, Practical Law, February 2018
- Japan: Waiver & Consent Letter Q&A, Practical Law, July 2017
- Japan: Comfort Letters Q&A, Practical Law, July 2017
- Japan: Corporate Loan Facilities Q&A, Practical Law, July 2017
Publications-International
- UAE: More Gold From the Desert, Cleared to Land, K&L Gates Aviation Newsletter, January 2019
- Argentina: Silver Skies, Cleared to Land, K&L Gates Aviation Newsletter, January 2019
- India: Legal Documentation & Changes Arising As a Result of the Collapse of Kingfisher, Cleared to Land, K&L Gates Aviation Newsletter, August 2018
- Quoted, “Briefing: Why shipping JOLCO investors are coming back to aircraft deals,” ISHKA, 1 August 2025
- Quoted, “Will Indian carriers soon be able to access the JOLCO market?,” ISHKA, 21 July 2025
- Quoted, “Legal Survey 2025: Products,” AirFinance Journal, 6 March 2025
Sebastian is an exceptionally gifted, efficient lawyer who is technical but commercial and able to simply the most complicated issues.
