Adrian C. Beasley

Partner / London

Adrian C. Beasley is a Partner in the Corporate Practice of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP and a member of the Firm’s Global Transport Practice.

Full Bio

Adrian advises clients on international asset finance and leasing transactions, with a particular emphasis on the aviation industry. With over 30 years of experience in private practice, Adrian has worked on an extensive range of transactions, generally spanning several jurisdictions.

Adrian’s in-depth knowledge of transactions involving commercial aircraft includes ECA-supported financings, sale and leaseback transactions, operating leases, aircraft sales and acquisitions, pre-delivery payment financings and tax-based leasing structures, as well as commercial lending arrangements and restructurings. He has represented leasing companies, export credit agencies, banks and operators and, as a result, Adrian has developed a good all-round perspective on what it takes to get a deal done pragmatically and to the satisfaction of all parties. In addition to his extensive career in private practice, Adrian also spent time on secondment with the legal team of one of the world’s largest operating lessors.

Adrian received his LL.B., Law, from Manchester University and his Law Society Finals from the College of Law, Chester.
Representative Experience
- Representation of operating lessors in connection with the leasing of aircraft to various airlines, the sale and purchase of aircraft and transfer of the related leasing arrangements, sale and leaseback arrangements with airlines for multiple aircraft including pre-delivery payment financings, lease restructurings and financing arrangements to support aircraft acquisitions
- Representation of airlines on sale and leaseback arrangements, operating leases, aircraft acquisitions and disposals, commercial debt financing transactions with various lender counterparties, subleasing arrangements (including seasonal subleasing arrangements), engine maintenance and support contracts and master engine lease agreements and engine general terms agreements
- Representation of various parties in the sale and purchase of private jets, including advising purchasers on the related debt financing arrangements
- Representation of the lender on the restructuring of the tax lease financing for 6 x aircraft operated by a South American airline*
- Representation of the European ECAs on various financings for aircraft to be operated by Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Lion Air Group, Gulf Air and Azul Brazilian Airlines*
- Representation of the former CIT Group as borrower in the ECA-supported financing of a series of over 50 Airbus aircraft on lease to airlines in numerous jurisdictions and associated activities, including subleasing, lease restructuring, engine swaps, insurance claims and aircraft substitutions*
*Representations undertaken at former law firm.
Bar Admissions

Solicitor, England & Wales
Education
Undergraduate
- Manchester University
Law School
- The College of Law Chester England
Recognitions

Adrian has been consistently ranked as a leading individual in his practice area by Chambers UK, Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal in the Asset Finance, Transportation and Aviation Finance categories, as follows:
• Legal 500 UK, Transport Finance and Leasing, Leading Individual (2024)
• Chambers UK, Asset Finance: Aviation Finance – Noted Practitioner (2025)
• Who's Who Legal, Global Elite Thought Leader, Transport – Aviation Finance (2024)
• Thomson Reuters, Stand-out Lawyer (2026)

His clients have provided the following recent comments:
• "His approachable demeanour and willingness to assist at every step makes collaboration seamless and enjoyable. Working with Adrian is a truly rewarding experience."
• "Adrian is not just a brilliant lawyer; he is also an astute adviser from a commercial perspective and brings great enthusiasm to his work."
• "He is pragmatic and commercial as well as being technically sound."
• “He is a great technical lawyer”.
Publications and Speaking Engagements

Euromoney European Airfinance School, United Kingdom, Annual Presenter and Co-Chair (2003-2020)
SGR Publications
Press