Global law firm Reed Smith has hired Simon Spells to head its Asia aviation practice as a partner in its Transportation Industry Group and Singapore office.
Spells joins from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) where he was head of its Singapore transport & asset finance team. He has almost 15 years' experience advising financial institutions, leasing companies, airlines and manufacturers in respect of a range of international asset, structured finance and leasing transactions.
He also has significant bank side experience from secondments at some of the leading finance providers to the transportation industries in both Europe and Asia, including Barclays Bank, DVB Bank and Standard Chartered.
One counsel, two associates and two paralegals from BCLP will also join the transportation team.
Rob Wilkins, co-chair of Reed Smith’s Transportation Industry Group, commented: “Simon is a standout name in the market and a very talented lawyer. His deep expertise and vast experience of deals between fund, private equity and other investors, aligns perfectly with the growing requirements of our clients in the aviation industry.”
Richard Hakes, Reed Smith’s co-chair of aviation, added: “In the last few months we have significantly grown our aviation offering. I’m very pleased to have Simon on board as it confirms our commitment to supporting the industry on a global scale.”
Spells said: “I am very pleased to be joining Reed Smith. It is a firm with an impressive history and very talented lawyers. The transportation team is renowned globally and I am looking forward to helping develop its aviation offering in Asia-Pacific.”