J.R. Smith

Practice Areas

J.R. is a seasoned restructuring and corporate finance attorney with over two decades of experience guiding clients through complex, high-stakes transactions and disputes across the globe. He has proven expertise in managing the full life-cycle of deals, from structuring to crisis resolution, with a focus on innovative, cross-border strategies that align with business, political, and economic realities.

J.R. represents corporate debtors, creditors (secured and unsecured), bondholders, lessors, equity holders, and trustees in U.S. and international restructurings, workouts, Chapter 11 (including pre-packaged plans, reorganizations, and liquidations), Chapter 15, and SIPA proceedings. He provides structuring and insolvency advice across complex financial products including asset-based lending, securitizations, derivatives, project finance (traditional and renewable energy), REITs, REMICs, and real estate finance. His leadership includes advising on cross-border transactions and crisis response for financial institutions, hedge funds, private equity, project sponsors, developers, multilaterals, export credit agencies (ECAs), and foreign governments.

A trusted advisor with deep experience living and working across Asia, J.R. brings nuanced insight to legal, regulatory, and cultural issues affecting regional and cross-border business outcomes. J.R. is the former managing partner of the firm’s Tokyo office, which he opened in 2011. Currently, J.R. serves as the Chair of The Japan-Virginia Society, a business-focused non-profit.