Gary Smith > Fladgate LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Fladgate LLP
16 GREAT QUEEN STREET
LONDON
WC2B 5DG
England
Gary Smith photo

Work Department

Banking and finance

Position

I am a debt finance partner with over 22 years’ experience across real estate, corporate lending and leverage finance and has been involved in a number of restructuring transactions.

I work as part of a wider Funds, Finance and Regulatory team at Fladgate which gives me access to the best specialist advice to fit any transaction together with the wider capabilities across Fladgate.

It is more than just about the legal documentation for me, it is about understanding my clients’ businesses and really getting into the commercial side. This enables me to be able to give advice rather than just the options. It is about finding the solutions not the problems and taking the work off my clients’, invariably very full, plates!

I advise lenders and borrowers on both domestic and cross-border transactions. My experience includes acting on structured mezzanine and senior debt financing, restructurings and investment and development financings for financial institutions, fund structures and corporate vehicles.

I have particular expertise in the hotel, student accommodation and PRS sectors and involved in both development and investment financings. I also have experience in cross border financings including in Germany, Monaco and Switzerland.

 

Career

Trained at Dentons (Wilde Sapte), qualified in 2000; made partner at Fladgate in 2012.

Education

St Albans School; Manchester University (LLB Hons 1995).

Lawyer Rankings

London > Real estate > Property finance

The Fladgate LLP real estate finance team – made up of finance, construction, commercial, and real estate specialists – regularly advise clients on transactions regarding assets including hotels, residential property, and commercial properties. Jenny Sargeant and Gary Smith co-lead the department. Sargeant, a key port of call for developers, alternative funders, and private banks, is praised for delivering ‘a true personal service with a razor focus on her client’s commercial aims’. The ‘very hardworking’ Smith is experienced in both domestic and European cross-border financings.