Smith Gambrell Russell Adds UK Aviation Finance Lawyer Gemma Patterson; Further Expands Global Transport Practice

Press Release

August 8, 2022

2022 PR G Patterson 8.8

ATLANTA (August 8, 2022) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Gemma Patterson has joined the Firm’s Global Transport Group as a senior associate based in the London office. Ms. Patterson joins SGR from White & Case, LLP London where she was a member of the Energy, Infrastructure, Project and Asset Finance Group specializing in asset finance transactions.

Ms. Patterson has more than a decade of experience working on a wide range of cross-border asset, project and corporate finance transactions involving export credit agency-supported financing, commercial debt financing, operating, finance and tax-based lease structures, restructurings, re-financings and sales and purchases.

Previously, Ms. Patterson worked in the London, Paris and Tokyo ofﬁces of international law ﬁrms and completed a secondment to the Marine and Aerospace Finance Department of Japan Bank for International Cooperation. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Law with Commendation from BPP Law School and a Master’s Degree in Modern History from St. Hilda’s College, University of Oxford.

“Gemma’s experience in international asset finance and leasing transactions further deepens the bench strength of SGR’s Global Transport Group, and we are pleased to welcome her to the Firm,” said Stephen M. Forte, SGR’s chairman and managing partner.

Ben Graham-Evans, co-founding UK partner with Mark Turnbull, added, “Gemma has a successful track record advising on aviation finance transactions which further enhances our existing asset financing capabilities, particularly when combined with the experience of recently-added veteran attorney Adrian Beasley. With the addition of Gemma, our practice in the UK continues to grow in response to strengthening client demand for high quality finance and leasing expertise in the aviation sector.”

Ms. Patterson’s arrival follows recent hires of Adrian Beasley (partner) in April, Matthew Leigh (partner) and Aleksandra Puscinska (associate) in 2021, and Tom Maddison (senior associate) and Rory O’Driscoll (associate) in 2020. SGR’s Global Transport Practice now comprises nearly 40 lawyers located across the Firm’s network of offices, which includes Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, London, Miami, and New York.

About Smith Gambrell Russell

SGR is a full service, international law firm that advises regional, national and global businesses on a wide range of legal matters. The Firm’s 270 attorneys provide legal counsel in more than 45 specialized practice areas, including corporate transactions, litigation, intellectual property, aviation, banking, real estate, construction, employment law, and employee benefits and executive compensation. Founded in 1893, SGR has offices in Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Chicago, Jacksonville, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Southampton, and Washington, D.C.