Richard K. Smith, Jr. serves as the Global Head of the Asset Finance Practice and has a transactional and corporate practice with an emphasis on leasing and equipment finance.

Mr. Smith has represented and advised lessors, lessees, lenders, intermediaries and equity interests in a wide variety of equipment leasing and finance transactions involving aircraft (commercial and corporate), vessels, railroad rolling stock, telecommunications equipment and buses. These transactions have included portfolio securitizations, portfolio acquisitions and sales, operating leases, debt financings, cross-border leverage leases, Japanese operating and leverage leases and Islamic financings.

Mr. Smith has significant experience in aircraft leasing and finance transactions and airline restructurings and bankruptcies.  He recently acted for management in a management buyout of a major aircraft lessor. His recent aircraft transactions have involved many jurisdictions in addition to the United States, including the United Kingdom, France, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Mexico, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malaysia, Ireland, Iceland, Germany, Japan, Turkey, Dubai, Switzerland, Russia, China, India, Australia and Spain.  Documentation for these transactions has been governed for the most part by either United States or English law.

Bars and Courts
California State Bar
US District Court for the Central District of California

Education
JD, University of Illinois, cum laude, 1980
BA, University of Illinois, magna cum laude, 1977

Professional Associations and Memberships
American Bar Association

Awards and Recognition
Recognized, National Transportation, Chambers USA, and Asset Finance, Chambers Global, 2008-2011

Languages
English

Citizenship
United States