(May 4, 2010, Pittsburgh, PA) – Reed Smith LLP continues to expand its Corporate & Securities Group, with the addition of Dwight Howes as a partner in the firm’s Pittsburgh Office.
A former partner and seasoned corporate and transactional lawyer in the Pittsburgh office of McGuire Woods, Mr. Howes is well-versed in the development of the natural gas resources, currently touted as the next driver for economic development in Western Pennsylvania.
“Dwight’s extensive oil and gas background, coupled with his knowledge of the Marcellus Shale and its potential, will afford current and prospective clients a unique benefit when making decisions about their regional business growth strategies related to the Shale’s development,” said George Stewart, Managing Partner of Reed Smith’s Pittsburgh office. “His expertise in international commercial law, and his longstanding interest counseling corporations and promoting effective corporate ethics, also will be a significant asset to the firm’s clients.”
Mr. Howes’ diverse practice focuses on supply chain management issues; energy, including coal and natural gas transactions, purchase of uranium concentrates, conversion and enrichment services, and fuel fabrication agreements for nuclear power plant operators; power plant construction projects; mergers and acquisitions; international transactions; corporate governance issues, including ethics and compliance programs; and pipeline safety regulations, programs, and enforcement issues. His supply chain practice has included numerous IT-related acquisitions, including Oracle and SAP installations, outsourcing agreements, software licensing issues, and software development agreements. As part of his energy practice, he has represented a consortium promoting the use of natural gas-fueled vehicles and has represented clients in the purchase of advanced coal co-firing and fluidized bed technology and selective catalytic reduction.
“Reed Smith’s global reach and its strong reputation for client service, coupled with its legacy of regional excellence, made my decision to join the firm an easy one,” said Mr. Howes.
Mr. Howes also has conducted Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigations in South America; negotiated energy transactions in South and Central America, Australia and Asia; and handled numerous supply chain related transactions in Asia, Europe and South America.
A 1985 graduate of The George Washington University Law School in 1985, he is an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association, where he serves on the Commercial, Energy and International Arbitrator Panels.
Mr. Howes joined McGuire Woods in 2000, when that firm opened its Pittsburgh office. At that time he was a Deputy General Counsel with Consolidated Natural Gas Company, which was acquired by Dominion Resources. Prior to that, he worked in a variety of legislative positions, including serving as Legislative Director to the late Senior John Heinz. During his service to Sen. Heinz, Mr. Howes was actively involved in securities-related legislative initiatives as a result of the Senator’s position on the Banking Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Securities and Exchange Commission. His service coincided with a number of high profile insider trading cases in the 1980s, which prompted considerable attention and review from the Senate Banking Committee. As a result of his expertise in this area, Mr. Howes has represented clients facing investigations from stock exchanges and the SEC on a variety of matters, including insider trading. He has provided corporate training on complying with insider trading laws since 1995.
Mr. Howes is a member of the Maine, District of Columbia, and Pennsylvania state bars.
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm with nearly 1,600 lawyers in 22 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 lawyers provide litigation and other dispute resolution services in multi-jurisdictional and other high-stakes matters; 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, technology and media, shipping, energy trade and commodities, real estate, manufacturing, and education. For more information, visit reedsmith.com.
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