(December 15, 2011) - International law firm Reed Smith today announced the addition of Perry Yam to its partnership as head of its Europe & Middle East (EME) Private Equity practice. Mr. Yam joins the firm from SJ Berwin, where he was a partner in the firm's corporate department.
"Perry's appointment represents a significant step forward for our private equity practice in London, with his renowned expertise able to take our corporate and transactional practice to new heights," said James Wilkinson, head of Reed Smith's EME Corporate Group. "Creating a comprehensive, global private equity offering is a vital component of our long-term strategy for the corporate group, and Perry clearly has the energy and experience to the lead the development of a stronger European team around our existing capability in London and Paris to complement our already robust U.S. and Asian offering."
Mr. Yam's experience spans all facets of the private equity industry, including institutional buyout transactions, buy-and-build strategies, exits/fundraising on AIM and other investment markets, and public-to-private transactions. He has acted for a number of private equity houses operating in the mid-market, advising on transactions in a wide range of sectors including technology, health care and life sciences, financial services, and leisure.
"Reed Smith's global footprint, including 23 offices across four continents, puts the firm at the forefront of the marketplace the world over, and particularly within the nexus of global financial transactions emanating from New York, London and Hong Kong," said Roger Parker, Reed Smith's EME Managing Partner. "The addition of Perry as a significant pillar of our global private equity offering will further bolster that position. His experience advising firms and management teams within the financial services, technology, and health care and life sciences sectors is perfectly aligned with three of our four key industry groups, providing powerful synergies across the firm, and representing a significant step forward for our global corporate capability within these core sectors."
Mr. Yam is a 1992 graduate of Lancaster Gate College of Law in London, joining SJ Berwin that year as a trainee. Upon qualification in 1994, he joined that firm's private equity team. For the first 11 months of 1997, he was an associate at Nicholson Graham & Jones, then he returned to SJ Berwin, where he became a partner in 2001.
"I look forward to joining the team at Reed Smith, and leading the charge to further build and enhance its private equity capability across Europe and around the globe," Mr. Yam said. "As the industry continues to look further afield for new opportunities, helping to establish a truly global private equity offering at Reed Smith represents an exciting and rewarding challenge, and is a natural next step in my career."
Mr. Yam also has a well-respected venture capital practice, advising on both technology and life science investments. The Legal 500 describes him as "the most prolific advisor to VC Funds in London."
"Perry is well-qualified to lead the build-out of our EME team," said David Boutcher, a partner in Reed Smith's EME Corporate Group resident in the firm's London office. "He will play a key leadership role, including working with firm management to recruit additional talent to our European private equity practice. His substantial network of contacts with private equity professionals in firms throughout London will be an important asset."
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm with more than 1,600 lawyers in 23 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 and natural resource, real estate, manufacturing, and education. For more information, visit reedsmith.com.
U.S.: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Oakland, Princeton, Northern Virginia, Wilmington, Silicon Valley, Century City, Richmond
Europe: London, Paris, Munich, Greece
Middle East: Abu Dhabi, Dubai
Asia: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai