(June 17, 2010) – Ten practices of Reed Smith LLP, one of the 15 largest law firms in the world, have been ranked among the best in the nation in the U.S. edition of The Legal 500 2010. These practices are Intellectual Property – Trademarks; Labor & Employment Litigation; Labor Management Relations; Insurance – Policyholders; Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense – Aerospace/ Aviation; Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense – Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices; Marketing and Advertising; Technology – Data Protection and Privacy; Mergers & Acquisitions – Middle Market; and, Tax Controversy.
According to The Legal 500, the firm’s Global Trademark Portfolio Management Practice – ranked as Tier 1 nationally – “reflects an impressive list of multinational clients.” The Legal 500 quotes a client who reported this Reed Smith team “understands our business and provides a high quality of service,” and “has displayed no weaknesses in our long relationship with the firm.” Darren Cohen is recommended for his work, particularly with advertising agencies and on digital and social media issues for trademark owners and licenses.
The Product Liability – Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Practice was another of Reed Smith’s groups ranked in Tier 1 nationally. It garnered accolades for “combining strategic thinking and oral argument skills” and “blending the talents of product liability partners with other expertise relevant to the life sciences industry;” for its “breadth of expertise across many industries;” and, for its use of “smaller and tightly knit teams of highly qualified attorneys and legal assistants, which maximizes the case knowledge and keeps costs down.” Legal 500 observed the practice’s “life sciences track record looks increasing heavyweight.” The publication rates both Los Angeles-based Michael Brown and Ginger Heyman Pigott as “exceptional, responsive and top notch.” John Hooper in New York is “strongly recommended to anyone seeking a very practical approach to managing complex litigation matters, particularly those with national scope.” Oakland-based Colleen Davies and Steven Kohn, Los Angeles-based e-discovery expert Janet Kwuon, and Barbara Binis and Michael Scott in Philadelphia are also recommended.
Another Tier 1 national rating was awarded to the firm’s multidisciplinary advertising, technology and media group. The Legal 500 said “one of its lawyers’ greatest strengths is a willingness to advise and share their knowledge with the advertising community as a whole.” It cites New York-based Douglas Wood, “one of the acknowledged experts in advertising and marketing law,” and Joseph Rosenbaum as practice group leaders.
The Legal 500 U.S. describes the firm’s Labor & Employment Litigation Practice as handling cases “efficiently and with the right level of client involvement,” further describing the group as a “force to be reckoned with” in California. The publication adds, “the team that joined Reed Smith from Thelen at the end of 2008, led by Linda Husar and Thomas Hill, has “…added greater strength and depth to its already impressive litigation group.” Firmwide Practice Group Leader Karl Fritton, along with partner Casey Ryan, are highlighted as “highly recommended” members of the group.
The 2010 publication characterizes Reed Smith’s Labor Management Practice as a “global giant.” It notes the firm’s “stand out lawyers” in the group include, but are not limited to: Martha Hartle Munsch, “a specialist with immense experience in labor management relations and labor and employment litigation;” Eugene Connors, Casey Ryan, and William Bevan in Pittsburgh, and Karl Fritton in Philadelphia, all of whom are “known for their pragmatic approach to providing business solutions to legal problems.”
Reed Smith’s Insurance Recovery practice in the United States also earns high praise for offering clients “innovative and creative advice,” and its expertise is described as including asbestos coverage, commercial disputes, construction defect coverage, directors and officers insurance recovery, environmental liability policies, fidelity bond insurance, product liability and toxic tort claims, and professional liability matters. Practice group leader Douglas Cameron is recommended, along with partners John Shugrue and John Vishneski.
The firm’s Product Liability – Aerospace and Aviation practice garners recognition as an “excellent team.” Practice Group Leader Patrick Bradley was recommended, along with Ginger Heyman Pigott in Los Angeles, and counsel Courtney Bateman in Washington, D.C.
The Technology: Data Protection and Privacy Practice is also ranked among the nation’s best, under the direction of Practice Group Leader Mark Melodia, who is cited, along with D.C.-based Gina Cavalier, as “winning industry recognition.” Paul Bond in Princeton is also recognized.
Legal 500 2010 also gives high marks to Reed Smith’s M&A Practice serving mid-sized companies, noting that its “impressive depth and strong industry experience in biotechnology, health care, e-commerce, communications, and software development” are “offered by a ‘highly internationalised M&A team that has impressed clients.” Michael Smith, Kenneth Regensburg, Howard Shecter, Lori Lasher, Sergio Garcia, Gregory Shatan, and Mark Pedretti are recommended.
The firm’s Tax Controversy Practice is described as an “increasingly busy and leading state tax practice” by the publication. Individual lawyers cited include Lee Zoeller in Philadelphia, described as “a veteran of the precedent FedEx ‘in-state apportionment’ litigation who has ‘an impressive eye for detail;’” James Kleier, in San Francisco, “a widely respected and formidable advocate;” John Messenger in San Francisco; and Donald Griswold in Washington, D.C.
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm with nearly 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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