WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reed Smith today announced that Lesley C. Reynolds, a partner in the firm’s Life Sciences Health Industry Group, has taken over as office managing partner of its Washington, D.C., office. Reynolds succeeds A. Scott Bolden, who served in this role twice – from 2008 through 2014, and again from January 2018 through 2021.

A seasoned health care regulatory lawyer, Reynolds has almost two decades of experience in compliance and litigation matters, focusing on False Claims Act cases and complex litigation. She advises hospitals, managed care organizations, pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, medical schools and other health care organizations in a wide range of regulatory compliance matters. Since joining Reed Smith in 2018, she has had a significant impact on efforts to attract new lawyers to the LSHI group and the D.C. office.

“Lesley’s leadership has been a significant factor in the success of the Life Science Health Industry Group,” said Doug Cameron, the firm’s managing partner – Americas. “She has also had a key role in attracting top talent to our D.C. office. Not only is she highly regarded within the firm, but she is also a recognized leader in the regional legal community. We are thrilled she has agreed to step into the managing partner position.”

In addition to addressing the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, Reynolds’ priorities include continuing to build the D.C. office footprint and raising the firm profile, attracting talented laterals and new associates, and finding creative ways to continue to provide clients the highest levels of service. She also is focused on attracting, retaining and promoting diverse attorneys and continuing to advance the firm’s Racial Equity Action Plan.

“Under Scott’s thoughtful and effective leadership, the firm’s D.C. office has flourished,” Reynolds said. “I am grateful to step into the management role, following such a strong and talented leader. I’m very excited to help the office and firm navigate a unique environment, created by the pandemic. Chief among my priorities will be to maintain the office’s cohesive and unified culture, while we continue to work in different ways in what is a changing legal landscape.”

In addition to her practice, Reynolds devotes significant time to mentoring associates. She also is active in the community and has served in leadership roles in numerous professional organizations, including the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association, the D.C. Bar and the American Bar Association’s health law sections, and the ABA’s tort trial and insurance practice section. Furthermore, she is a member of the board of directors of Ferring Holding Inc., where she chairs the board’s ethics and compliance committee and is a member of the Audit Committee.

Bolden joined Reed Smith in 1991, after serving four years as an Assistant District Attorney in the New York County District Attorney’s Office. In addition to leading the D.C. office, Bolden is a founding member of the firm’s Racial Equity Task Force and served on the firmwide Executive Committee. A widely renowned trial and white-collar defense lawyer, Bolden assists clients nationwide in navigating crises that present significant legal, business and reputational risks. He will continue devoting his time to his prominent white-collar defense practice for his individual, corporate and pro bono clients.

“Scott’s leadership in the D.C. office has been critical during periods of growth for the firm, and most recently, during the unprecedented challenges brought on by the pandemic,” Cameron said. “We are grateful for his foresight, resilience, creative leadership, steady guidance and dedication. His contributions to the firm will have a long-term positive impact on our firm culture and future success.”