ATLANTA (September 19, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Rachel Thomasen has joined the Firm’s Global Transport Practice as a senior associate based in the London office. Rachel joins SGR from Clifford Chance where she practiced as part of the asset finance team based out of the London and Hong Kong offices.
Rachel has extensive experience acting on behalf of lessors and financiers in 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. Prior to joining Clifford Chance, Rachel practiced with other law firms in London, Singapore, and Paris. Additionally, she has completed secondments in Dublin with Avolon and Milestone Aviation.
Rachel completed her Legal Practice Course, with distinction, at College of Law, Moorgate and holds a degree in Law from Downing College, University of Cambridge, which included a year studying French law at the University of Poitiers, France. She has been named a Rising Star in Aviation in 2021 and 2022 by Legal Media Group’s Expert Guides.
Ben Graham-Evans, co-founding UK partner with Mark Turnbull, said, “Rachel’s experience with asset finance and leasing transactions further deepens our team’s bench strength in the aviation sector. We are delighted she has joined us. Together with the recent hire of Associate Oliver Murray from WFW, our practice in the UK is continuing to grow in line with industry demand and enables us to provide even better service to our clients.”
Rachel’s hire, along with Oliver Murray from Watson, Farley & Williams, follows the addition of several new attorneys in the UK over the last year, including Gemma Patterson (senior associate) and Adrian Beasley (partner), as well as significant hires in 2021 and 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 nearly 400 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, SGR has 14 domestic and international offices, including Atlanta; Austin; Charlotte; Chicago; Jacksonville, FL; London; Los Angeles; Miami; Munich; New York; Southampton; Springfield, IL; Tampa, FL; and Washington, D.C.