Andrew Smith

LawBrief

LawBite Customer Comments

The service was quick and exactly what I needed. Although a very simple matter requiring little work, I felt assured by the legal advice I was receiving and will certainly be taking advantage of the services available in the future. Duncan Kennedy

Andrew has been very supportive, knowledgeable and most of all fantastically patient all through our work together. I am looking forward to working with him again - many thanks for an amazing job!" The Skills Farm

Thank you sooo much, I now feel confident enough to incorporate my organisation thanks to great legal advice from Clive and Andrew. Really appreciate the support and will be using Lawbite again for any future legal needs for my business. I fully recommend them to anyone else starting a business. Thanks again guys!! Michelle Diez company

Experience

Andrew Smith has 17 years’ experience in banking and finance, corporate and commercial law.

Andrew qualified at Deacons, a top 10 firm in Sydney then worked in the Banking and Finance Unit at Addleshaw Goddard in London from 1997 to 2002 acting for banks on structured property finance deals and large projects. He was appointed partner at Ashfords gaining broad experience in commercial contracts, corporate finance and banking. In 2011 he started an ABS law firm for Prydis, a group of financial advisors and chartered accountants building a legal team to deal with a broad range of business and private client work.

Since 2012 Andrew has worked in the SME market in the West Country. His clients are generally owner managed and family businesses.

In Andrew's own words...

“It is vital not to look at a company in isolation but rather as a wealth generation vehicle for owners and families. I keep their interests in mind and try to always see the bigger picture. Helping smaller businesses can be tough as they cannot waste vital cash on professional fees so advisers need to work efficiently and cleverly. However seeing businesses grow and developing relationships with owners is the most satisfying part of being a lawyer.”

Education

BA Politics, English and History, University of New South Wales - 1988
LLB Law, University of Wollongong - 1995
Professional Admissions Course, College of Law NSW - 1996
Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test, BPP England - 2000

Achievements

Double major with Distinction in undergraduate degree
Contributed articles to ‘Journal of Property Law’ and ‘International Finance’
Recognised for a number of years in Legal 500
St Petrocks Homeless Charity Exeter (former Trustee, now adviser)
Exeter Phoenix Arts Charity (Trustee)

Other Interests

Andrew likes triathlon, surfing, camping (sometimes wild, never Health and Safety compliant) with his two teenage daughters and basic BBQ's with meat on bread and no fancy salad! He also loves Rod Liddle, the vicious satirical journalist in The Times.

Languages

Three failed attempts at French (useless) but looking forward to attempt cinq (see...!).