Aviation & Aerospace
Jacob Smit is a Special Counsel in Clyde & Co’s Sydney office, advising across the full spectrum of transport and trade law, including marine, aviation, energy, and regulatory matters.
Regional experience
Full Profile
A Special Counsel in Clyde & Co’s Sydney office, Jacob advises clients across the energy, marine, aviation, and natural resources sectors. With more than a decade of experience in both private practice and in-house roles, his practice spans the full spectrum of transport and trade law, from customs compliance, charterparties, shipbuilding contracts, and port operations to aviation hull and liability claims, class actions, coronial inquiries, and regulatory enforcement matters.
Jacob regularly counsels clients on sanctions, export controls, anti-bribery and corruption, business ethics, and human rights compliance, including modern slavery programs under the Australian Modern Slavery Act and international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Known for his strategic and pragmatic approach, Jacob helps clients resolve challenges efficiently while maintaining compliance and reputational integrity.
Experience
- Handles complex maritime and passenger claims with regulatory and jurisdictional issues.
- Advises on charterparties, port operations, and vessel incidents.
- Represents clients in marine pollution and safety investigations.
- Advises on sanctions, export controls, and trade compliance.
- Handles disputes involving offshore assets and service contracts.
- Manages investigations into environmental and customs compliance.
- Provides regulatory advice on energy and resources operations.
- Acts in aviation hull and liability claims across Asia-Pacific.
- Advises on air carriage, insurance, and product liability issues.
- Assists with regulatory and cross-border incident investigations.
- Leads investigations into bribery, fraud, and sanctions breaches.
- Advises on anti-corruption, whistleblowing, and ethics frameworks.
- Develops human rights and modern slavery programs.
- Provides crisis response in pollution and consumer matters.
- Acts in commercial, maritime, and regulatory proceedings.
- Advises on litigation strategy and evidence management.
- Resolves cross-border disputes and enforcement actions.