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Reed Smith

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Reed Smith, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 10 August 2025
Reed Smith LLP
Company typeLimited liability partnership
IndustryLegal services
Founded1 January 1877; 149 years ago (1877-01-01) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
FounderPhilander C. Knox, James H. Reed
Headquarters
Pittsburgh
,
United States
Area served
United States, Europe, Middle East, Asia
ProductsLegal services
Number of employees
1500+
Websitereedsmith.com

Reed Smith LLP operates as an international law firm employing more than 1,500 lawyers distributed across 30 offices located in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

History

Established in Pittsburgh in 1877 by Philander C. Knox and James H. Reed, Reed Smith expanded alongside industrial magnate Andrew Carnegie as well as prominent clients like Heinz (company), Andrew Mellon, and Henry Clay Frick. During the New Deal period, the firm enhanced its expertise in securities law, with partner Ralph H. Demmler appointed as chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Although connected to the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, Reed Smith effectively defended against legal claims stemming from the 1889 Johnstown Flood, setting significant legal standards regarding liability for natural catastrophes.

Beginning in the 1970s, Reed Smith embarked on targeted mergers to establish itself as a global leader. Notable developments included launching a Washington, DC office in the 1970s; merging with Pierson, Ball & Dowd in 1989 to incorporate a health care specialty; and joining with Philadelphia’s Townsend Elliott & Munson (dating back to 1842) in 1978. The firm further extended its footprint into New York and New Jersey during the 1990s and absorbed Northern Virginia’s Hazel & Thomas.

International expansion gained momentum in the 2000s: acquiring UK-based Warner Cranston in 2001 created a transatlantic platform; offices were inaugurated in Paris and Munich by 2005; a Delaware office was added; and merging with California’s Crosby, Heafey, Roach & May placed Reed Smith among the top twenty U.S. firms. The 2007 integration with UK firm Richards Butler broadened its presence into France, Greece, the Middle East, and Hong Kong. Industry analysts identify Reed Smith's UK stock market clientele as some of the largest among American law firms.

The firm represents significant multinational clients including thirteen of the largest commercial and savings banks worldwide; twenty-five leading oil and gas corporations; and the top three pharmaceutical distribution companies.

In response to increased demand, Reed Smith inaugurated a second German office in Frankfurt in 2015. The following year saw a partnership with Singapore’s Resource Law to enhance its Asian operations, complemented by opening a Miami office in 2017.

Recent strategic recruitments include Lewis Zirogiannis, former chief compliance officer at General Electric, joining as partner for global regulatory enforcement based in San Francisco (2018), alongside hiring a life sciences team from Norton Rose Fulbright coupled with establishing an Austin office (2018). In January 2020, technology and M&A specialist Craig Lilly transitioned from Greenberg Traurig to reinforce Reed Smith’s Silicon Valley corporate practice.

Recognition

Chambers USA highlights Reed Smith’s expertise across bankruptcy, insurance, finance, M&A, labor and employment law, and general litigation within sectors such as entertainment, media, life sciences, shipping, and finance—earning 43 rankings in Chambers USA. In Chambers UK, the firm is highly rated for shipping, media and entertainment, commodities trading, insurance, and corporate M&A. Additionally, Chambers Global acknowledges its achievements in shipping litigation and climate change initiatives.

Noteworthy accolades include:

  • Positioned among the top 20 strongest global law firm brands according to the 2018 Acritas Global Elite Law Firm Brand Index.
  • Recipient of The American Lawyer’s leading Pro Bono Award in 2018.
  • Included in BTI Global Elite 2018 for significant influence on corporate counsel branding.
  • Winner of the i-law Maritime Law Award at Lloyd's List Global Awards; its global Shipping Group leader was named Lloyd's List's premier maritime lawyer of 2018.
  • Ranked fifth in Vault’s Best Law Firms within the Mid-Atlantic region.
  • Placed twenty-fifth on the 2018 AmLaw 100 list based on gross revenue and key financial indicators.
  • Achieved top-tier rankings across seven categories within Legal 500 German 2018 Listings; twelve German partners received recommendations.
  • Ranked sixth among U.S. law firms operating in London.
  • Garnered eighteen practice area rankings and forty-two lawyer endorsements in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2018.
  • Recognized as a Top Ten Family Friendly Firm by Yale Law Women in 2018.
  • Awarded Chambers USA Product Liability "Best Firm" honor in 2017; ranked tenth by Vault for this specialty.
  • Listed among Law360’s top Global 20 Firms in 2017.
  • Private Equity Team of the Year at British Legal Awards 2017.
  • Fifteenth largest U.S. law firm by attorney headcount (1,536) per National Law Journal's NLJ 500 (2017).
  • Ranked seventeenth on Law360’s Global 20 Firms list (2016).
  • Fifth place for client satisfaction among U.S. international firms according to Legal Week (2013).
  • Eighth on Am Law 50 Social Index for social media engagement (2013).
  • Advanced eight positions to enter Top 20 U.S. brands on Acritas Sharplegal US Law Firm Brand Index (2014).
  • Nineteenth place on AmLaw 100 for gross revenue (2010).
  • First among law firms for client relationship strength per BTI Client Relationship Scorecard (2009).

Reed Smith has been a consistent presence on rankings featuring America’s Best Corporate Law Firms along with elite global legal brands. Market research firms such as Law360 and BTI Consulting list it among the top twenty international law firms.

Financially, during fiscal year 2018-19 Reed Smith reported a revenue increase of five percent reaching $1.17 billion alongside a seven percent growth in profit per partner amounting to $1.26 million. Its London office stands as its largest worldwide location, ranking sixth among U.S.-based law firms operating within the UK market. In 2017, top-earning partners received profit shares up to $3.3 million (£2.5 million).

Significant cases and deals

  • Provided competition clearance assistance in the US and EU for Hong Kong-based shipping company OOCL during its $6.3 billion acquisition by China's COSCO Shipping.
  • Counseled United Group B.V. on its $3 billion divestiture to private equity firm BC Partners, transferring ownership from Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.
  • Achieved dismissal of a $6 billion False Claims Act lawsuit initiated by the US Department of Justice on behalf of healthcare provider HCR Manor Care.
  • Offered legal guidance to Netflix in litigation against a Colorado municipality concerning a $116,000 sales tax obligation.
  • Represented Textainer Group Holdings, the largest global lessor of intermodal containers, in expanding its revolving credit facility from $700 million to $1.5 billion.
  • Advised Deutsche Bank on the disposition of a $1 billion portfolio consisting of shipping loans.
  • Acts as counsel for Russian firm Concord Management and Consulting regarding the 2018 indictment linked to alleged interference in the 2016 and 2018 US elections.
  • Successfully defended musician Curtis Jackson (50 Cent) in copyright infringement disputes.
  • Represented French luxury brand Lancôme, a division of L'Oréal Luxury Products, in legal matters involving actress Uma Thurman.
  • Served as legal representative for global financial services entity The Bank of New York Mellon acting as trustee for bonds issued by Puerto Rico’s governmental bodies amid their $70 billion debt restructuring process.
  • Represented a multinational financial services corporation in Jefferson County, Alabama’s municipal bankruptcy case, involving debt exceeding $4 billion—the largest municipal bankruptcy in US history.
  • Defended BNY Mellon against a bondholder lawsuit amounting to $539 million related to Argentina’s bond default litigation.
  • Assisted Toyota Motor Credit Corp. in obtaining $15 billion financing through a syndicated credit facility arrangement.
  • Provided counsel to the UK Civil Aviation Authority pension scheme on a £1.6 billion buy-in transaction with insurer Rothesay Life.
  • Successfully defended Nintendo against various patent infringement claims brought by Motion Games.

Distinguished personnel

Notable lawyers who have been associated with Reed Smith include:

Popular culture

Laurence Leamer's book The Price of Justice features the firm, emphasizing its involvement in notable legal battles.

Offices

By January 2018, Reed Smith had established 28 offices spanning three continents. Although its first offices were in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, the London branch has grown to become the firm's largest, housing more than 350 lawyers.

Additionally, Reed Smith operates a Global Customer Centre located in Pittsburgh, which oversees round-the-clock administrative functions across the firm, including IT support and business services.

See also

External links

Related profiles

RReed Smith Richards ButlerSSkadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & FlomAA&O ShearmanBBarlow Lyde & Gilbert
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