Thomas Smith is an English-qualified partner in the Finance Group of the London office. Recommended by Chambers UK (2022), The Legal 500 UK (2022) and IFLR1000 (2020), he acts for borrowers, sponsors, funds and financial institutions on a wide range of financing transactions, including complex acquisition and leveraged finance transactions (both syndicated bank loan and high-yield transactions) at all levels of the capital structure, capital call facilities and other alternative capital transactions for investment funds. In The Legal 500 UK (2022), which recommends him for acquisition finance and fund finance, Mr. Smith is described as “a respected operator” and “the best in the business.” Chambers UK (2022) highlights his “in-depth knowledge” and his ability “to digest complex issues into manageable communications and balance risk with commerciality.” He is said to be “very attentive and solution-oriented.” In previous editions of the guides he is also described as “intelligent and highly commercial,” and is noted for his ability “to explain complex issues in a straight-forward manner and focus on the real issues, rather than the minutia.”
Mr. Smith is the author of “Changing Tides for Subscription Line Facilities,” Private Equity International (March, 2016) and “Renaissance In European Second Lien Financings,” Financial News: Private Equity News (February, 2015); he is the co-author of “Side letters - Pitfalls and perils for a financing,” Global Legal Insights - Fund Finance 2022 (January, 2022); “Debevoise & Plimpton on a new string in fund finance’s bow,” Private Equity International (January, 2021); “Subscription Lines’ ESG Revolution,” Private Equity International (December, 2020); the analysis chapter, “Side letters: Pitfalls and Perils for a Financing,” in Global Legal Insights to Fund Finance (2018-2021 editions); “What You Need To Know About Sub Lines For SMAs,” Private Debt Investor (August, 2018); “Mega-Funds and Their Mega-Financings,” Private Equity International (February, 2018); and “Fund Finance Focus: Don’t Neglect The Positives,” Private Debt Investor (July, 2017). He also provided input to the European High Yield Association on precedent development.
Mr. Smith joined the firm in May 2007. He graduated in 2002 with an LL.B. from the University of Nottingham. He went on to study at Nottingham Law School in 2003, where he obtained an LPC with distinction. He was admitted as a solicitor of the Senior Courts of England & Wales in 2006.