LONDON, U.K. (October 9, 2025) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased to announce that the Firm’s Global Transport practice and partners have been recognized in the Legal 500 UK 2026. The practice received a Tier Four ranking in the London – Transport Finance & Leasing category and a Tier Five rankings in the London – Transport: Aviation category. Partner Adrian Beasley was recognized as a Leading Partner, and Partner Mark Turnbull, Partner Ben Graham-Evans, Partner Rachel Thomasen, Associate William Cusack and Associate Anastasia Katsea received mentions.
Founded in 1987, Legal 500 is now a data-driven, AI-optimised research platform which benchmarks, informs and connects providers and users of legal services in over 100 countries worldwide.
Adrian Beasley is a partner and a member of the firm’s Global Transport Practice where he advises clients on international asset finance and leasing transactions, with a particular emphasis on the aviation industry. Adrian has been consistently recognized by The Legal 500 UK in aviation finance and commended for his client-centric approach.
Mark Turnbull, co-founding UK partner, is a member of the firm’s Global Transport Practice where he advises financial institutions, aircraft leasing companies, airlines, MROs, and aviation industry participants on commercial and corporate aviation. Mark has been regularly recognized by Chambers UK and The Legal 500 UK for his work in the aviation industry.
Ben Graham-Evans, co-founding UK partner, is a member of the firm’s Global Transport Practice. His practice specializes in international aircraft finance and leasing transactions advising lessors, purchasers, and operators on buying, selling, and leasing of commercial aircraft, engines, and parts. Over the course of his legal career, Ben has been repeatedly recognized by The Legal 500 UK.
Rachel Thomasen, UK Partner, is a member of the firm’s Global Transport and Corporate Practices. She has extensive experience acting for lessors and financiers (debt and equity) on cross-border asset finance and leasing transactions, including full and limited recourse operating lease financings, export credit financings, portfolio acquisitions, sale and leaseback transactions, tax leases, finance leases, operating leases, restructurings and aircraft repossession.
William Cusack, UK Associate, is a member of the firm’s Global Transport Practice. His experience includes advising financial institutions and aircraft lessors on complex cross-border transactions. His practice encompasses a wide range of aviation-related matters including aircraft and engine financings, warehouse financings, the restructuring of existing leasing arrangements, security arrangements spanning multiple jurisdictions, and aircraft portfolio trading.
Anastasia Katsea, UK Associate, is a member of the Global Transport and Corporate Practices. Anastasia’s practice focuses on all aspects of aviation transactions, including advising banks, equity investors and leasing companies on various financing, acquisition and leasing matters. Anastasia has acted in large portfolio as well as corporate jets and equipment specific transactions.
Smith Gambrell’s UK Global Transport Practice was lauded by The Legal 500 UK for its “extremely competent legal advice that is steeped in a commercial understanding of their clients. The team are experts at tailoring advice based on clients’ risk profiles and working to achieve results specific to their needs.”
Since the establishment of its London and Southampton offices in 2017, the UK practice has steadily expanded, reflecting its increasing presence in the region. This growth is part of Smith Gambrell’s broader Global Transport Practice, which now includes nearly 40 lawyers across its offices in key locations such as Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Chicago, Miami, and New York, positioning the firm to serve clients with comprehensive expertise across multiple jurisdictions. Learn more about the practice here.
About Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP
Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is a full-service, international law firm that advises regional, national and global businesses on a wide range of legal matters. The Firm’s nearly 350 attorneys provide legal counsel in more than 50 specialized practice areas, including corporate transactions, litigation, intellectual property, aviation, banking, real estate, insurance/reinsurance, construction, employment law, international, and employee benefits and executive compensation. Founded in 1893, Smith Gambrell has 14 domestic and international offices, including Atlanta; Austin; Charlotte; Chicago; Jacksonville; London; Los Angeles; Miami; Milan; Munich; New York; Southampton; Tampa; and Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit www.sgrlaw.com.