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Law Firm Merger - Reed Smith and Richards Butler
Law Firm News |
2007/01/04
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For Reed Smith and Richards Butler, there were no surprises this holiday season as the well-planned merger of the two firms proceeded according to plan, culminating in a New Year's Day launch of combined operations in the U.S., the UK, Europe and the Middle East. The union creates one of the 15 largest law firms in the world, with more than 1,300 lawyers across three continents.
"Today is truly an historic occasion as we mark the combination of two successful firms," said Gregory B. Jordan, Reed Smith's firmwide managing partner. "We are now exceptionally well-positioned to meet our clients' needs around the globe with an expanded presence in London and Paris, and new capabilities in the Middle East added to our already strong and still growing U.S. operations."
Roger Parker, former managing partner of Richards Butler, noted that the combination's progress from announcement to completion was a smooth one.
"It is evident that the time, energy and resource we have devoted to planning for this day have resulted in a smooth transition across the board," he said. "Everything we hoped to achieve with this launch is developing as expected. Our focus now is on ensuring every current client and all potential clients are aware of the tremendous array of services, people and supports we are now able to provide in 20 locations around the world."
Accompanying the celebration of the merger are former Richards Butler personnel announcements that reflect the significant integration of leadership and management roles the combined firms have already achieved.
Mr. Parker will serve as managing partner for Europe and the Middle East, and will join the firm's senior management team. Paul F. Johnston and Richard Swinburn, formerly of Richards Butler, will join Reed Smith's Ian B. Fagelson in representing the firm's European offices on the Executive Committee. Scott Pearman becomes a deputy department head in the firm's Business & Regulatory Department, and Charles Hewetson becomes a deputy department head in the Litigation Department.
Kyri Evagora in Energy, Trade & Commodities; Nick J. Shaw in Shipping; Stephen Edwards in Advertising, Media & Technology; and Belinda Paisley in European Litigation become firmwide practice group leaders.
New office managing partners in markets outside the U.S. include Vincent R. Gordon in Abu Dhabi, Sean L. Angle in Dubai, and John L. Reece in Piraeus.
Reed Smith personnel who continue as office and market managing partners include Chris A. Hill in Birmingham, England; Tim G. Foster in London; Benoit Charot in Paris; and Stefan Kugler in Munich.
Plans are currently underway for strengthening the relationship between the firm's two offices in London, which includes the Reed Smith office in Minerva House and the Richards Butler office in Beaufort House, both of which will operate in London as Reed Smith Richards Butler. Pending the final decision on future space for the firm, personnel from both offices will change locations to create a mix in each.
The merger transition and integration was led by Michael Pollack, Reed Smith's Director of Strategic Planning and a member of the senior management team who has relocated to London, and Mr. Parker. With the Richards Butler merger complete, the firm turns its attention to achieving the same seamless combination with Chicago-based Sachnoff & Weaver, already approved by the partners of both firms and scheduled to go into effect March 1. |
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