This posting was written by Jacqui Hatfield.

The Reed Smith Eurozone Response Group recently published an alert, designed to encourage clients to engage in euro contingency planning to deal with the myriad of risks associated with the euro, the eurozone, the EU and EU financial institutions. The timing of the alert is based upon the recent Greek elections, the increased threat of a Greek exit from the eurozone, the intensifying sovereign debt crisis in Italy and Spain and the corresponding pressure on their domestic banks.

Reed Smith is well positioned to help clients engage in euro contingency planning as we established a Eurozone Response Group in Q3 of 2011, made up of partners in practice areas likely to be needed to assist clients in preparing for the various scenarios and who are also dedicated to euro-related developments. One of those partners is the head of the Financial Services Regulatory Group in the UK & EME, Jacqui Hatfield, who co-authored the client alert.

Jacqui Hatfield is a partner in the Financial Services Regulatory Group at Reed Smith LLP, resident in the London office. Jacqui heads up the Financial Services Advisory Group which sits within the Financial Industry Group. She has a wealth of experience across the broad spectrum of the FSA regulated community. Her clients range from asset managers, brokers, banks, fund managers, fund platforms, exchanges, insurance companies, brokers, energy traders and corporate finance boutiques.