Ethan W. Smith

Ethan Smith is the co-founder and CEO of Starfield & Smith, P.C., where he specializes in government-guaranteed lending and conventional commercial lending. He represents a broad spectrum of SBA lenders nationwide, from large national institutions to small community banks and credit unions and serves as designated closing counsel for several Certified Development Companies (CDCs).

Ethan has built a robust practice representing lenders before the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) on guarantee-related matters and leads the firm’s SBA compliance audit and consulting team. A recognized authority in government-guaranteed lending, he is a frequent writer and speaker on SBA lending issues nationwide.

His legal expertise has earned him Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent® rating, the highest recognition for legal ability and ethical standards. He has also been repeatedly named a “Rising Star” and “Super Lawyer” by Philadelphia Magazine.

Ethan currently serves as General Counsel for the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (NAGGL), the national trade association for SBA 7(a) lenders. He previously served as a Director of NAGGL from 2018 to 2024 and was recognized as NAGGL’s 2024 Government Relations Executive of the Year for his lobbying efforts in support of the SBA 7(a) program. He was also honored as NAGGL’s 2017 Instructor of the Year for his contributions to SBA lender education. Additionally, he has served as an expert witness in SBA and real estate-related litigation.

As a closing attorney for commercial lenders, Ethan prepares loan documents and conducts compliance reviews for SBA 7(a), SBA 504, USDA B&I, and conventional commercial loans. He has closed hundreds of government-guaranteed and conventional commercial financing transactions, including SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, warehouse lines of credit for SBA lenders, and asset-based, commercial real estate, and factoring facilities. Many of these transactions involve complex, multi-jurisdictional issues and collateral structures. He has also served as SBA counsel on several securitizations of SBA loan portfolios.

Additionally, Ethan advises lenders on SBA licensing (SBLC and NFRL), compliance, regulatory enforcement, and guarantee purchase matters, providing strategic legal counsel to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.