NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sterlington PLLC announced today that Michael Smith, an international corporate lawyer who advises private equity funds, sovereign wealth funds, ultra-high-net-worth individuals, and corporations on transformative transactions and cross-border relations, has joined the firm as a partner. Smith is one of several high-profile lateral partners to join Sterlington in the last five months.
“Michael brings valuable experience and insight to clients navigating complex international transactions,” said Christopher S. Harrison, managing partner of Sterlington. “He’s joining at an exciting time for the firm as we continue to grow and strengthen our global capabilities.”
A veteran of Skadden in New York and Clifford Chance in London, Smith advises clients in North America, Europe, and the Middle East on capital markets transactions, cross-border M&A, fund formation, and Islamic finance. He has particular experience handling transactions straddling the U.S.-Canadian border for natural resource companies and other entities based in Canada.
In addition to advising foreign entities on their investments in the U.S., Smith regularly represents U.S.-based clients in transactions overseas. He previously helped to open the New York office of Patton Boggs, where he developed a significant practice focused on transactions in and out of the MENA region, becoming a recognized leader in Sharia-compliant finance.
“Sterlington has gathered an impressive collection of leading attorneys in their fields, which I’m proud to join,” said Smith. “We’re going through an important geopolitical moment that has placed a premium on the skills and network I’ve developed over my career, and Sterlington offers an ideal platform from which to advise clients on their most significant cross-border affairs.”
Smith joins a series of high-profile lateral partners who have joined Sterlington in the past five months. They include Robert Ray, the former federal prosecutor who succeeded Kenneth Starr as independent counsel; Jonathan Sherman, a decorated litigator who spent much of his career at Boies Schiller Flexner LLP; Courtney Rockett, another longtime Boies Schiller litigator; Jesse Sherrett, an international arbitration lawyer from A&O Shearman; and Paul Jebely, the top private aviation attorney to ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
Smith holds a BA (with honors) from Trinity College at the University of Toronto and earned his LLB from Queen’s University Law School. He served as a warfare officer in the Royal Canadian Navy and currently serves as a trustee to the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (USA), the globally recognized youth service, adventure, and skills development program.
