Global Presence – Local Solutions
Staying competitive locally and internationally, while managing and mitigating risk, are the key challenges to businesses operating in an ever-changing environment. Global commerce has inevitably led to global disputes. With more than 800 knowledgeable, skilled and focused litigation lawyers in our offices throughout the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, Reed Smith has the experience and capabilities to meet these challenges. We were recognized for our size and the extent of our abilities by The 2012 American Lawyer, as we were ranked 3rd among U.S.-based law firms for being among the "Biggest 10 Litigation Departments by Number of Lawyers."
In the BTI Litigation Outlook 2013, Reed Smith was ranked as best-suited to help in litigation in seven of eight practice areas. We were named as a "Powerhouse" in Intellectual Property, Complex Commercial and Routine Commercial; as a "Standout" in Class Action and Tort and Complex Employment; and to the "Honor Roll" in Securities and Finance and Product Liability. Additionally, we earned a spot on the "Honor Roll of the Most Feared Litigation Firms," consisting of law firms that others would "rather not see as lead opposing counsel in a litigation case."
We are trusted legal advisers to leading international businesses around the world, helping clients navigate the complexities of operating in this fast-paced and constantly evolving marketplace. Our clients include financial services firms, insurers, life science companies, health care providers, retailers, media companies, technology companies and entrepreneurs, energy companies, transport and logistics operators, communications companies, manufacturers, universities, nonprofits, real estate developers, and municipalities, that rely on our experienced global litigation team for their most complex and high-stakes litigation matters.
Our work covers the spectrum of contentious advice, from advisory work, negotiation and alternative dispute resolution, to representing clients in arbitration tribunals and courts at all levels around the world. We have an excellent track record of successfully dealing with high-profile disputes that involve large-scale, multi-party and multi-jurisdictional issues, as well as the skill and experience to handle both domestic and international arbitrations before tribunals appointed by all of the major arbitration bodies. We do not look at disputes in isolation, but work with clients to identify and manage the reputational, regulatory, governmental and operational implications.
Specifically in the United States, our practice is focused on advising businesses regarding critical disputes and mass tort litigation, and our lawyers have an impressive record of sharply limiting and disposing of class actions and mass litigations. In Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we have an extremely wide-ranging disputes practice, with an emphasis on high-value, complex international disputes in a variety of sectors and industries. Our lawyers work together, across various geographical and industry lines, to provide the best advice and representation to our clients. Our specialty practice and industry areas include:
Appellate, Aviation Litigation, Commercial Litigation and Disputes, Construction and Engineering, Financial Services Litigation, Employment & Labor, Energy & Natural Resources Dispute Resolution, Government Investigations & White Collar Criminal Defense, Insurance Recovery, International Arbitration, Intellectual Property Litigation, Product Liability, Securities Litigation & Enforcement, and Shipping.
Reed Smith’s Value Proposition
In this challenging environment, clients seek cost certainty. We aim to provide reliable estimates and budgets to achieve as much certainty as is practicable and to develop appropriate strategies for handling disputes. Alternative fee arrangements (AFAs) account for a substantial – and growing – part of our business, including in relation to disputes matters.
Our innovative use of resources, technology and staffing, including through the Staff Attorney Group, helps to further ensure that we maintain efficient project management and pricing. In addition, and to keep ahead of increasingly complex litigation discovery obligations, our Records & E-Discovery team enables us to help clients effectively manage their records to meet compliance obligations, operational needs, and e-discovery requirements.