The rankings reflect Reed Smith’s reputation in banking, capital markets, corporate, data protection, dispute resolution, employment, finance, FinTech, insurance, international arbitration, investment funds, private equity, projects, regulatory, restructuring, shipping, TMT and white-collar crime.
Reed Smith was recommended in 15 practice areas in Hong Kong, four in China and 11 in Singapore. The firm earned new listings in China for Data protection: Foreign firms and TMT: Foreign firms; in Hong Kong for Capital markets (debt), Investment funds, Regulatory and TMT; and in Singapore for Banking and finance: Foreign firms and Fintech and Financial services regulatory: Foreign firms.
The full list of practice areas includes:
Asia-Pacific Regional
- International arbitration
China
- Corporate and M&A: Foreign firms
- Data protection: Foreign firms (new listing)
- Projects and energy: Foreign firms
- TMT: Foreign firms (new listing)
Hong Kong
- Asset finance (shipping finance)
- Banking and finance
- Capital markets (debt) (new listing)
- Capital markets (equity)
- Corporate (including M&A)
- Dispute resolution: International arbitration
- Dispute resolution: Litigation
- Insurance
- Investment funds (new listing)
- Labour and employment
- Private equity
- Regulatory (new listing)
- Restructuring and insolvency
- Shipping
- TMT (new listing)
India
- Foreign firms
Indonesia
- Foreign firms
Singapore
- Asset finance: Foreign firms
- Banking and finance: Foreign firms (new listing)
- Corporate and M&A: Foreign firms
- Corporate and M&A: Local firms
- Fintech and Financial services regulatory: Foreign firms (new listing)
- International arbitration
- Projects: Foreign firms
- Shipping: Foreign firms
- Shipping: Local firms
- TMT: Foreign firms
- White-collar crime: Foreign firms
South Korea
- Shipping: Foreign firms
Reed Smith operates under the name Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP in Hong Kong. In Singapore, the firm is in a Formal Law Alliance with Resource Law LLC, with whom it shares its offices.
Lawyer rankings
For a second year, Reed Smith partner Bryan Tan earned a Hall of Fame designation. Partners Johnny Lim, who ranked in two categories, Barbara Li (for China Data protection) and Michael Sinn received rankings for the first time. Singapore associate Jun Qi Chin received a Rising Star nomination for the first time.
See below for the full list of the firm’s ranked lawyers:
- Calvin Chan, Singapore White-collar crime - Foreign firms (Leading Individual)
- Jun Qi Chin, Singapore Fintech and financial services (Rising Star)
- Timothy Cooke, Singapore International arbitration: Foreign firms (Leading Individual)
- Denise Jong, Hong Kong Corporate (including M&A) (Leading Individual)
- Peter Lee, Hong Kong Asset finance: Shipping finance (Leading Individual)
- Barbara Li, China Data protection: Foreign firms (Leading Individual) and China Fintech: Foreign firms (Leading Individual)
- Lianjun Li, Hong Kong Shipping (Leading Individual)
- Johnny Lim, Indonesia: Foreign firms (Leading Individual) and Singapore Projects: Foreign firms (Next Generation Partner)
- Donald Sham, Hong Kong Dispute resolution: International arbitration (Next Generation Partner)
- Michael Sinn, Hong Kong Banking and finance (Next Generation Partner)
- Simon Spells, Singapore Asset finance: Foreign firms (Leading Individual)
- Bryan Tan, Singapore TMT: Foreign firms (Hall of Fame)
- Zeldar Wang, China Shipping: Foreign firms (Next Generation Partner)
Hall of Fame entrants “must be widely regarded as being at the very top of the profession, and to have been consistently ranked as leading individuals by the Legal 500 for a number of years,” and in a change from previous rankings, inclusion now does not depend on having a requisite number of years as a leading individual.
Leading Individuals are defined as “true market leaders, with long-established reputations in their sector, lead roles in multiple recent significant matters, and exceptional, widespread recognition and endorsement from peers in the market and clients alike.”
Next Generation Partners have five years or fewer at partner level, significant recognition from clients and peers in the market, and recent lead roles on multiple matters.
Rising Stars are defined as associate-level lawyers who appear frequently in significant matters and make major contributions, according to the Legal 500 website.
Client quotes
“Reed Smith’s strength lies in their diverse expertise across various legal areas. With the extensive experience, they are well-equipped to handle a wide range of legal matters. This breadth of knowledge allows them to provide comprehensive and well-rounded solutions.”
“Reed Smith is the ‘go-to’ law firm for syndicated loan transactions. They are incredibly commercial, responsive and able to provide market colour to us, hence facilitate a smooth, efficient and effective negotiation among all the parties.”
“The Reed Smith International Arbitration team, headed up by Timothy Cooke, is a class act. They work efficiently and promptly and deliver absolutely top-class results. The diversity in their team is excellent, as is their depth. Their ability to handle cross-border arbitration matters, involving emerging market jurisdictions such as Vietnam, is superb.”
“Reed Smith LLP has a long track record of handling complex, high-value corporate transactions, including acting on M&A, take-privates, business reorganisations and restructurings.”
“What truly sets Reed Smith apart is their unique blend of legal prowess and global perspective. The team’s in-depth understanding of international project dynamics, coupled with their proficiency in navigating complex legal landscapes, positions them as leaders in the field.”
“Reed Smith is the first pick law firm for shipping matters and maritime law issues where the governing law is English law.”
“Resource Law is a nimble, capable law firm with a quality bench of experienced practitioners. The firm’s expertise covers a broad range of practices and industries, which helps clients address a broad range of legal issues.”
Reed Smith also featured prominently in The Legal 500 Greater China 2024 rankings, published in November, which endorsed the firm in 19 practice categories.