Howard acts for financial services providers on both the customer side, in terms of their procurement of capital assets and day to day supplies, and on the supply side in terms of their financial product offerings. Howard also acts for suppliers into the financial services sector, particularly those who supply large scale procurement solutions on an outsourced basis. Howard also has a success record in having represented clients in the area of Data Protection and has recently advised several clients on their GDPR compliance programmes.
He previously worked in-house at COLT Telecom and Standard Chartered Bank, where he was a global Head of Legal & Compliance for Commercial & Technology work. Howard spent five years working in Hong Kong and has an extensive network throughout Asia.
Cynthia O’Donoghue, partner and leader of the International Information Technology, Privacy and Data Security team commented on the appointment:
“Howard brings with him a great depth of knowledge on current issues such as GDPR, as well as a true specialism in fintech and financial services which align perfectly with our sector focus at Reed Smith. Our IP, Tech & Data practice continues to experience a growing demand from clients across the global network and we’re hugely excited to add to our busy team”.
Mark Melodia, partner and co-chair of the IP, Tech & Data group added:
“Over the past 18 months, we’ve made significant investment into our group to meet client demand including the addition of more than half a dozen lawyers in our German offices including partner Andreas Splittgerber and the promotion of Philip Thomas to partner in London. Howard’s expertise is complementary to our existing team, bolstering our financial services and fintech expertise, while also serving as a bridge for EU clients to key Asian markets, where we are also adding local data and technology law talent”.
Howard Womersley Smith, partner, added:
“With its financial sector focus, truly global platform and attention paid to partnering with clients to achieve their business goals, Reed Smith is a natural fit”.
ENDS
About Reed Smith
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