Global law firm Reed Smith has announced the appointment of Claude Brown to its partnership. Claude will join the firm’s structured finance team from Clifford Chance, where he is Head of Structured Solutions.
Claude specialises in derivatives, commodity derivatives and prime brokerage. His derivatives practice focuses on the development of financing and fund structures, structured note, structured repos, CDS structures, repackaging structures and secured loan financings. In the commodity derivatives space, Claude advises clients on commodity trading documentation, commodity financing transactions, and documenting derivatives transactions in the clean energy sector, and for energy trading companies. Claude’s work also involves representing banks and hedge funds regarding their prime brokerage businesses.
Reed Smith has expanded its London structured finance and derivatives practice, as well as its energy and commodities practices, over the past two years and has appointed a number of high-profile partners, including: Tamara Box, Helena Nathanson, Chris Borg, Nick Stainthorpe, Peter Zaman, Brett Hillis and (most recently) Rashpaul Bahia. Moreover, the firm recently opened new offices in Houston and Singapore, renowned as key centres for energy and commodities trading.
Nola Beirne, vice chair of Reed Smith’s Financial Industry Group for EME, commented:
“We’re thrilled to have someone of Claude’s strong standing join our 250-strong team of lawyers in the financial industry group at Reed Smith. We’re looking forward to welcoming him to the team.”
Tamara Box, global head of Structured Finance at Reed Smith commented:
“Since the launch of the firm’s structured finance practice in London last year, we’ve continued to drive expansion in this area - in London and abroad. A number of high-profile partners have joined us as part of this strategic initiative to boost to the firm's capabilities in structured finance, regulation, derivatives and energy and commodities. Claude’s arrival further enhances the firm’s growing offering in all these areas and capitalises on the already strong overlap between our finance and energy businesses.”
Kyri Evagora, co-chair of Reed Smith’s Energy and Natural Resources Group, commented:
“We are very excited to have Claude join Reed Smith. He will be an important player in the further growth of our leading global commodities practice.”
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About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a global law firm, with 25 offices and more than 1,800 lawyers in offices across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States.
For further information please visit www.reedsmith.com or contact Jeyda Star (PR Manager EME) on +44 (0)20 3116 2571.