Josh Smith

What do you do for your clients ?

T: 07910271187

E: josh.smith@arbor.law

Find me on LinkedIn

I am a senior corporate finance and commercial lawyer with extensive cross-border experience across multiple sectors and jurisdictions, including financial services, FinTech, technology, F&B, aviation, and SMEs. I have held senior in-house, positions at a number of businesses, from start-ups/scale-ups to multi-nationals.

My legal practice focuses on multi-jurisdictional corporate finance, banking and finance law, and generalist in-house legal counsel services, including advising on regulatory projects, insurance, audit, corporate governance, and commercial contract negotiation. I help clients navigate complex legal frameworks and achieve compliance across the UK, UAE, and other global markets.

I began my legal career at Credit Suisse, before joining Travers Smith LLP. I then joined the London HQ of Schroders within their Investment Team, before moving to MUFG bank as a project consultant, whilst also consulting for a leading alternative legal service provider (focussing on startups and scale ups). Thereafter I moved to Abu Dhabi, UAE to take on a senior in house role at Yas Holding’s HQ for a few years (at their holding company level) whilst also acting as lead counsel for the aviation division, food and agriculture division and technology divisions (from time to time).

Legal Specialties 

As a corporate, finance and commercial contracts lawyer, advisor and negotiator, I have helped both buy side and sell side clients (from startups to multinationals) to achieve their legal and commercial goals. I have experience within private practice and in house in the UK and UAE, having managed various transactions from term sheet to execution.

I’ve advised businesses on: (i) Convertible Loan Note Agreements, Subscription and Shareholder Agreements, SPAs, Loan Agreements, Security/Guarantee Documents, (ii) ISDAs, GMRAs, GMSLAs, (iii) various Services Agreements, and (iv) papering items in response to regulatory and/or change management projects.

Having held senior executive roles )including secondary school governor, business director, NED, and strategic investor), I am adept at understanding stakeholder concerns, risk management, organisational strategy, and the application of legal considerations across diverse organisations.

With experience working alongside boards, investors, and employees at all levels, I am well placed to act as a Virtual General Counsel, providing strategic, embedded legal support as an extension of your in-house team to help businesses manage legal challenges efficiently and cost-effectively.

Related Expertise 

Commercial
Corporate
FinTech
Technology
Virtual General Counsel

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What Clients Say

My clients appreciate that I have worked as a purchaser of legal services, vendor of legal services and have board level experience (in UK and UAE), the result of which means I can often relate to their situation. Clients also appreciate that I can provide simple and direct solutions, distilling technical advice into something actionable.

Behind the lawyer

I can be found splitting my time between UAE, UK and Spain. My family has a large musical background, so I personally enjoy playing music and going to concerts. My wife and I also enjoy a good walk followed by a snack in the sun (weather permitting)!

Education

  • BPP Law School (2014 – 2015) 
    MA Law with Business – LPC (Distinction)
  • The University of Law (2014)
    Graduate Diploma in Law (Gold Award, Commendation)
  • University of Warwick (2010-2013)
    Psychology BSc – First Class with Honours

Languages 

  • English