Thomas Smith is an English-qualified partner in the Finance Group of the London office. Recommended by Chambers UK (2024), The Legal 500 UK (2024) and IFLR1000 (2022), 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.
Mr. Smith was named by The Drawdown in its list of the most influential experts in fund finance, stating that “Smith has become a key driver in establishing ‘what is the market.’” In The Legal 500 UK (2024), which recommends him for acquisition finance and fund finance, Mr. Smith is described as “brilliant,” “outstanding,” and “definitely one of the best fund finance partners in the City.” He receives praise for his “collaborative and commercial” approach and is said to be “a great partner with deep experience.” He has also been described as “a respected operator” and “the best in the business.” In Chambers UK (2024), where he is listed in the top tier, clients note that he is “as experienced as they come,” and highlight his “sterling reputation for being a borrower-side counsel for particularly complex fund financing deals.” In previous editions of the guides, he receives praise for his “in-depth knowledge of market trends and relevant precedents in the fund finance space” and his ability to “convey detailed and technical advice in a clear and straightforward manner.” He is also said to be “very attentive and solution-oriented” and “intelligent and highly commercial.”
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 Laws and Regulations 2024 (January, 2024); “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); “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.