The practice group is led by David R. Cohen, who joined Reed Smith in early May from K&L Gates, where he co-founded and served as co-chair of that firm's e-Discovery Analysis & Technology (e-DAT) practice. Mr. Cohen has more than 25 years of complex commercial litigation experience, with a long-term focus on e-discovery, automated litigation support and records management issues.
All members of the team were formerly part of the e-DAT Group at K&L Gates in Pittsburgh. The group includes 11 e-discovery attorneys, led by Senior Manager Beth Wurzel. These attorneys will provide document review services and other support to lawyers and clients firmwide on discovery matters, investigations, and other matters requiring large-scale record review and support. The attorneys will be joined by Administrative Assistant Tammie Parker, and experienced Litigation Support Analysts Patty Novak and Mandy Crawford, who focus on technical support for e-discovery and hard copy document reviews, document productions, and other litigation support. Ms. Novak and Ms. Crawford will join approximately 20 other litigation support professionals already employed by Reed Smith across the firm's platform.
"I am delighted to have so many of my valued former colleagues join me at Reed Smith," Mr. Cohen said. "Their arrival will further enhance the efficiency and effectiveness with which Reed Smith can service clients, and will allow us to reduce client expenses on e-discovery and litigation support, while also reducing risk exposure. Both of these goals are accomplished by combining advanced technology with the talents of this very experienced but low-cost group."
The senior manager, Ms. Wurzel, is a graduate of Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. She has experience in a variety of legal areas including insurance coverage, pharmaceutical claims, financial matters, intellectual property, construction, and government agency investigations. Prior to joining K&L Gates, Ms. Wurzel worked with an electronic discovery service provider, where she assisted corporate and law firm clients with document collection and review matters. Before that, she managed large-scale document review projects with another Pittsburgh law firm. The other experienced e-discovery lawyers joining Reed Smith include Andy Codelka, Ryan Del Greco, Frank Gilberti, III, Chris Kenny, Marcin Krieger, Jim Leety, Juliet Leopardi, Katie Salynski, Jeff Sradomski, and Brian Wood.
"Reed Smith has an exceptional platform upon which to develop a world-class e discovery practice," said George Stewart, managing partner of the firm's Pittsburgh office. "Most of this group has been working together for several years, and has proved themselves to be a cohesive team. We are very excited about adding this talent and experience to our practice group and look forward to the further growth opportunities at Reed Smith."
According to Mr. Cohen, the firm's e-Discovery & Records Practice team already has projects lined up at Reed Smith, with additional new assignments coming in the door. While the majority of the review work is to support litigation and investigation matters, the group also can perform electronic and hard-copy records-analysis for corporate transactions and other legal matters.
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm with more than 1,600 lawyers in 22 offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses, from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises. Its lawyers provide litigation and other dispute-resolution services in multi-jurisdictional and other high-stakes matters; deliver regulatory counsel; and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions. Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising, technology and media, shipping, energy trade and commodities, real estate, manufacturing, and education. For more information, visit reedsmith.com.
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