About us

Philander C. Knox and James H. Reed found the law firm Knox & Reed. Soon after, they begin representing the enterprises of the United States' leading industrialists – Carnegie, Frick, Mellon, Heinz, Westinghouse, and others – who are instrumental in transforming the nation.

Edwin W. Smith, George E. Shaw, and Samuel McClay join the firm and later become name partners.

James H. Reed represents Andrew Carnegie in the creation of United States Steel, the world's first billion-dollar corporation, and becomes a charter director. Philander C. Knox is confirmed as U.S. attorney general and later serves as a U.S. senator and secretary of state.

The firm helps Andrew and Richard Mellon establish the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research, which eventually merges with the Carnegie Institute of Technology – founded with James H. Reed's assistance – to form Carnegie Mellon University, a long-term firm client.

The partnership is renamed Reed Smith Shaw & McClay, a name it retains through the end of the 20th century.

The Great Depression and the New Deal create new and varied legal work, launching Reed Smith's recognized capability in modern securities practice.

The firm's labor practice earns a national reputation following a rash of strikes after World War II.

Reed Smith launches a series of expansionary moves, propelling its growth beyond Pittsburgh into the broader Mid-Atlantic region. The firm establishes an office in Washington, D.C., in 1971. It combines with Philadelphia's Townsend, Elliott & Munson in 1978.

A merger with Pierson, Ball & Dowd in Washington, D.C., provides Reed Smith with a leading national health care law practice, and adds nearly 70 lawyers to the firm.

Reed Smith establishes an office in Princeton, N.J., and becomes one of the fastest-growing law firms in the Garden State.

Reed Smith opens an office in New York City, which has since grown to become one of the firm's largest U.S. locations.

Reed Smith combines with Hazel & Thomas, a Virginia firm of 85 lawyers, positioning the firm to serve the growing tech sector in Northern Virginia.

The firm is renamed Reed Smith, laying the groundwork for a brand soon recognized for global reach. It also opens a Wilmington office to better serve financial institutions and corporate clients before Delaware courts.

Reed Smith joins forces with the UK law firm of Warner Cranston, establishing the firm's presence in Europe.

As it celebrates its 125th year, Reed Smith is a global top-50 law firm.

Reed Smith combines with the 215-lawyer, multi-office California law firm Crosby, Heafey, Roach & May.

Reed Smith establishes its continental Europe presence by opening offices in Munich and Paris, bolstering capabilities in life sciences and financial services.

Reed Smith merges with Richards Butler, adding more than 250 lawyers in London, Paris, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Greece. It also gains a significant Chicago presence by combining with the 130-lawyer firm Sachnoff & Weaver.

Reed Smith merges with the Hong Kong operations of Richards Butler, adding over 100 lawyers and establishing a leading Asian presence. It also opens a Silicon Valley office to further solidify its Bay Area footprint.

Reed Smith embraces a five-industry approach – energy and natural resources, entertainment and media, financial services, life sciences and health care, and transportation – that remains at the heart of its identity.

Reed Smith opens an office in Shanghai, extending its service capabilities in China.

Reed Smith expands its global footprint with new offices in Singapore and Kazakhstan.

Reed Smith expands its presence in Texas by opening an office in Houston, the energy capital of the world.

Reed Smith opens its second office in Germany by establishing a new location in Frankfurt, the nation's financial heart.

Reed Smith forms a Formal Law Alliance with Singapore's Resource Law LLC, broadening its offerings for multi-jurisdictional transactions, disputes, and cross-border matters involving Singapore law.

Reed Smith opens in Miami, establishing its presence in South Florida and strengthening its connections to Latin America.

Reed Smith creates Gravity Stack, a first-of-its-kind big law tech subsidiary delivering collective intelligence in law. It also launches Reed Smith Global Solutions in Leeds to enhance service delivery and opens an Austin office to bolster its leading life sciences and health care practice.

Reed Smith becomes the first international law firm in the UK to convert to an Alternative Business Structure, enabling services beyond traditional legal advice and external investment. It also opens a Dallas office, expanding its Texas presence with a third state location.

Reed Smith opens a Brussels office – the firm's 30th globally, and fifth in continental Europe – enhancing its global regulatory capabilities. The firm also transforms Reed Smith Global Solutions by incorporating legal services.

Reed Smith opens in Orange County, its 31st office and fifth in California.

Reed Smith expands with three new offices, opening in Atlanta, Denver, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With these additions, Reed Smith reaches 34 offices worldwide, underscoring the firm’s sustained momentum.