March 23, 2017 - Having led the group’s growth, for more than a decade, Kyri Evagora is relocating to the United States to continue the development and growth of our practice in the Americas. The period during which Kyri has led the group has been one of extraordinary growth and transformation for many of our clients, punctuated by the financial crisis, and more recently by the decline – and now gradual recovery – in commodity prices. Through listening to and tracking our clients, as they have grown and diversified, we have been able to expand from only a dozen or so London-based lawyers to 150+ lawyers across the world. Today, the group is positioned with unparalleled strength to serve our clients in all their sectors and markets, putting Reed Smith firmly among the world’s leading energy and natural resources practices.
Kyri has been instrumental in listening to our clients, and building out the team in London, Singapore, Houston and Washington DC. In response to client feedback, and in order to further enhance the support we are able to offer our clients in the United States, from the start of May, Kyri will be based in New York, and will spend time in Houston, Washington DC and Chicago – all strategic locations for our clients. At the same time, Kyri has stepped up to become Vice Chair of Reed Smith’s Business and Finance Department, and will be working closely with the firm’s Senior Management Team in the oversight and leadership of 800+ lawyers worldwide. Kyri will continue to undertake client work, and to manage a portfolio of important client relationships.
At the same time, London-based Prajakt Samant will take over from Kyri as Global Chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Practice. Praj has more than 16 years’ experience representing a wide range of energy and commodity companies, banks, exchanges, and hedge funds in a variety of transactional, cross-border regulatory, compliance and risk management matters within the energy and natural resources sphere. Praj will be supported by the existing Vice Chairs – Craig Enochs (Houston) and Nicolle Snyder Bagnell (Pittsburgh).
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm with more than 1,700 lawyers in 26 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, entertainment and media, shipping and transport, energy and natural resources, real estate, manufacturing and technology, and education. For more information, visit reedsmith.com.
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