(February 13, 2008) — The Hong Kong office of Reed Smith LLP, one of the world’s 15 largest law firms, has been recommended for both patent prosecution and contentious work in Managing Intellectual Property’s listing of the “2008 Patent Firms of the Year.”
In one of the most detailed and authoritative surveys of the global IP market, Managing IP bases its rankings on peer recommendations, rather than objective criteria, via interviews with hundreds of IP practitioners and in-house counsel in more than 65 jurisdictions worldwide.
“It is always gratifying to be recognized by ones clients and peers,” said Hong Kong-based IP partner Steven Birt. “Our inclusion in this survey shows that we are gaining a solid reputation for patent prosecution and patent litigation in Asia.”
Mr. Birt, himself, has been acknowledged six times in consecutive years as a Leading IP Lawyer in the Asia Pacific Legal 500 survey, five times in consecutive years in the AsiaLaw Leading Lawyers survey, and recommended by his peers in the Chambers Asia Leading Lawyers for Business 2008.
Following a merger effective January 1, 2008, the firm currently operates in China as Richards Butler in Association with Reed Smith LLP. With more than 100 attorneys in Hong Kong and Beijing, the firm now has one of the largest footprints of any international law firm in Asia. Reed Smith also plans to open an office in Shanghai, pending approval from the PRC.
“We are pleased to see that our reputation for excellence in patents work is growing in Asia,” said Tracy Zurzolo Quinn, Reed Smith’s firmwide Intellectual Property Group Leader. “We now have a deep bench of top-tier IP attorneys on four continents.” Reed Smith’s IP Practice Group also has more than 100 attorneys and patent agents in each of its major offices worldwide.
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is one of the 15 largest law firms in the world, with more than 1,600 lawyers in 23 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 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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