(September 10, 2007, Chicago) –– Only five months after entering a combination with Sachnoff & Weaver, Reed Smith LLP, one of the 15 largest law firms in the world, has hired five new lateral partners in Chicago, including Christopher P. Bennett, who will join the Corporate & Securities Group, effective immediately. Mr. Bennett was formerly a senior associate at the Chicago office of Latham & Watkins.
Reed Smith has a significant corporate practice, working with many of the leading financial services firms in the large capital markets of the world. In addition, the firm’s New York office is experiencing a marked uptick in demand for private equity experience, and Mr. Bennett's capabilities in this area will be helpful in meeting that demand.
“Chris provides additional strength to our corporate finance and capital markets practice, with ‘first chair’ experience in representing lead underwriters and issuers in IPOs, follow-on offerings and SEC compliance matters,” said Stewart Dolin, co-head of Reed Smith’s Corporate & Securities Practice Group. “We envision him rising to a leadership role in the firm on a national and global level in the coming years.”
Mr. Bennett’s practice focuses on corporate securities, public company representation, private equity investments, and mergers and acquisitions. He has experience in a wide variety of transactions, including public and private securities offerings, private equity investments, and corporate acquisitions and divestitures. His practice principally includes representation of investment banks and issuers in public and private offerings of equity and debt securities. His practice also includes representation of private equity funds and issuers in private equity investments.
Mr. Bennett has represented investment banks such as Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Merrill Lynch, Bear Stearns, Credit Suisse, Lehman Brothers, Banc of America Securities and UBS in primary and secondary public and private securities offerings. He has also represented public companies with market caps ranging from $400 million to more than $4 billion in connection with primary and secondary public and private securities offerings and SEC compliance matters.
“Chris has the background and experience to play an important role in handling sophisticated transactional and securities matters,” said Michael A. LoVallo, Managing Partner of Reed Smith’s Chicago office. “We are particularly impressed by his strong entrepreneurial skills and excellent relationships with clients, and his approach to business development. His combination of legal experience and market knowledge will be a valuable asset to this office and our global corporate practice.”
Mr. Bennett earned his B.A. and J.D. from The University of Missouri in 1994 and 1999, respectively.
“I am very excited to join Reed Smith and believe the firm has tremendous leadership and the potential to continue growing in key financial markets,” Mr. Bennett said. “I look forward to working closely with my colleagues in Chicago and in other Reed Smith offices, including our New York office, to strengthen Reed Smith’s Corporate & Securities practice.”
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is one of the 15 largest law firms in the world, with more than 1,500 lawyers in 21 offices throughout the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises. Its attorneys provide litigation services in multi-jurisdictional matters and other high stake disputes, 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 and media, shipping, international trade and commodities, real estate, manufacturing, and education. For more information, visit reedsmith.com
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