Simon G. Spells

Partner

Singapore

Leading international asset finance lawyer in Asia-Pacific, known for providing practical, commercial minded advice and seamless transaction management

"Simon is dedicated, responsive and knowledgeable, going above and beyond at times and communicating succinctly."

Chambers Asia & Pacific, Aviation: Finance client

"Simon's industry knowledge has been very helpful in structuring, navigating and negotiating our aviation-related deals."

Chambers Asia & Pacific, Aviation: Finance client

“He has a great ability to understand clients’ needs, and he is efficient and extremely responsive.”

Chambers Asia & Pacific, Aviation: Finance client

Simon is a partner in the Transportation Industry Group at Reed Smith. Based in Singapore, he is a leading practitioner in international asset finance transactions in the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on the aviation and shipping sectors, and leads the Asia aviation team.

The asset finance practice in Singapore is praised by clients for its “great local market knowledge, practical commercial responses, and understanding of client needs”, and for offering “speedy and to-the-point replies”. Clients highlight that “they are a strong team across the board and this is rare. Every team member is proactive and helpful … they are very client friendly and commercial”. Clients also note that the team is “extremely knowledgeable and responsive … they are exceptionally good at managing transactions efficiently and coordinating very effectively with the various parties involved. From our experience, this key strength does differentiate them from other firms” (The Legal 500).

Experience

Representative matters

Advising a Singapore-based aircraft engine leasing company on their inaugural US$300m asset backed securitization program (the first aircraft engine ABS for an Asian lessor), involving 30 aircraft engines on lease to 13 lessees in 11 jurisdictions spread across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Advising a major global lessor on the sale and leaseback of six Airbus A320 aircraft to a U.S. airline, their first transaction in the United States.
Advising a Japanese investment fund on the sale and leaseback of five aircraft engines to a Hungarian airline, and one aircraft engine to a Thai airline.

Recognitions

  • Ranked in Chambers Global for Asia-Pacific Region Aviation: Finance, 2022-2025
  • Listed as a Leading Partner in The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific for Singapore Asset Finance: Foreign Firms, 2023-2025
  • Ranked in Chambers Asia-Pacific for Asia-Pacific Region Aviation: Finance and Singapore Aviation: Finance, 2022-2025

Credentials

Education

  • College of Law, 2005, LPC
  • Brunel University, 2004, LL.B.

Professional admissions & qualifications

  • England and Wales

Court admissions

  • England and Wales

Professional affiliations

  • ISTAT 

News

Blogs

Events