The Alta Group

Paul Bent is a seasoned equipment leasing executive, with over 30 years experience as an investment banker, equipment leasing CEO, and transaction attorney. Paul has participated in all facets of leasing and corporate financing. As a principal of the firm, he provides Alta clients with insight and advice in assessing both strategic and tactical business plans and alternatives, developing and implementing leasing programs and structures, reviewing business and documentation practices, and analyzing asset-based financing alternatives. He serves as an industry expert in legal matters involving leasing, complex corporate financings, transaction structuring, and contract interpretation; and he provides services as a neutral mediator and arbitrator in difficult disputes over leasing and corporate finance, with emphasis on maintaining relationships and avoiding litigation.

Based in Long Beach, California, Paul has direct and hands-on experience in developing, arranging, facilitating, managing, negotiating and closing leases, structured corporate financings, and related business transactions. As an investment banker and a transaction attorney, he has analyzed, negotiated and participated in hundreds of transactions for clients throughout the world. In addition to serving as a principal of The Alta Group, he is the founder, president and general counsel of GoodSmith & Co., Incorporated, a corporate financial services firm specializing in large-ticket leasing, leveraged leasing, and asset-based corporate financing.

"The details of equipment leasing and financing transactions provide the key to successful deal making.  As in most aspects of business, a commanding knowledge of the technical issues determines the ultimate outcome of every crucial decision and plan."

Whether in developing or analyzing new financing transactions, serving as a neutral party in resolving transactions gone awry, or providing business advice and expert opinions in transactions already in litigation, Paul Bent offers Alta clients the benefit of decades of real world experience in corporate finance.

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