Leigh, Matthew

Matthew Leigh is a Partner in the Global Transport Practice of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP.

Full Bio

Mr. Leigh specializes in structured asset finance and leasing acting for banks, financial institutions, lessors and operators in a wide range of jurisdictions.

Mr. Leigh has substantial experience of big-ticket cross-border transactions, with a particular focus on the aviation sector. He has advised on a wide range of financing and leasing structures, including pre-delivery, export credit-supported and tax-based structures in addition to domestic and cross-border sales of individual aircraft and portfolios.

Mr. Leigh has represented many of the industry’s leading banks and lessors active in aviation finance on some of their most complex transactions undertaken.

In 2019, Airline Economics recognized Mr. Leigh as one of the top 40 leading aviation professionals under 40 years.
Representative Experience
- Advising a leading asset manager on a landmark sale and leaseback transaction with a European flag carrier for its entire A320CEO fleet to support the transition to new technology aircraft.
- Advising a leading leasing company on the PDP financing and associated acquisition and leaseback of three aircraft with a Canadian airline.
- Advising Australia and New Zealand Banking Group and 14 syndicate banks in relation to US$600m term and revolving facilities for SMBC Aviation Capital.
- Advising Pembroke Capital Limited on its structured portfolio sale of five aircraft to KOTAM. The transaction established KOTAM’s aircraft leasing platform. Airline Economics Aviation 100 New Leasing Entity Deal of the Year 2019.
- Advising Deutsche Bank AG in relation to the industry’s inaugural green financing of commercial aircraft for three ATR 72-600 aircraft for Avation leased to Braathens Regional Airlines. Airline Economics Aviation 100 Editor’s Deal of the Year for Innovation 2019. Airfinance Journal Innovative Deal of the Year 2019.
- Advising UBS AG in connection with its Asia corporate jet lending platform.
- Advising JP Lease and Stratos Aircraft Management in relation to the JOL Air US$554 ABS acquiring 15 aircraft and the first ABS to feature a Japanese operating lease structure. Airfinance Journal ABS Deal of the Year 2019.
- Advising China Development Bank in relation to a US$275m loan facility to refinance the acquisition of one A380 aircraft for a Comsys vehicle facilitating a structured leasing transaction with Veling and Emirates. Airfinance Journal China Deal of the Year for Cross-Border Financing 2018. Airline Economics Aviation 100 Editor’s Deal of the Year 2018.
- Advising Malaysia Airlines Berhad in relation to its fleet restructuring which was one of the largest ever undertaken by a national carrier.
- Advising DVB Bank SE and syndicate banks in relation to a US$205m seven aircraft lease portfolio refinancing for Minsheng. Airline Economics Aviation 100 Refinancing Deal of the Year 2016.
- Advising The Korea Development Bank and KDB Asset Management in relation to a US$210m senior loan facility and a ₩75b junior note issuance to finance one A380 aircraft delivered to Asiana Airlines.
Bar Admissions

Solicitor, England & Wales
Education
Undergraduate
- University of Leicester
Law School
- Nottingham Law School
Memberships

International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT)

Aviation Club UK
Recognitions

Airline Economics 40 under 40 list (2019)
Ranked in Chambers and The Legal 500 for Aviation
Listed as leading lawyer aged 40 and under by Asian Legal Business Review (2018) and Singapore Business Review (2016)
Publications and Speaking Engagements

Regular speaker at Airline Economics conferences.

Author of LexisNexis Lexis PSL aviation finance chapters on Aircraft Lease Financing, Lease Payments and Security and Default Termination.
SGR Publications
Press