International law firm Reed Smith has further enhanced its position as one of the largest law firms in the Asian legal market with the opening of a new office in Singapore, effective immediately. Singapore marks the firm’s fourth location in Asia, having already established offices in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai.

“Singapore is emerging as one of the most important business centers in the world.” said Gregory B. Jordan, Reed Smith’s Global Managing Partner. “It is a natural place for Reed Smith, as one of the top firms for commodity trading and shipping.”

Reed Smith’s Singapore office will be led by Gautam Bhattacharyya, who will relocate from London, and will also comprise new partners Barry Stimpson, Simon Sloane and Philip Antcliffe. An additional lawyer from the firm’s London office has also relocated and the firm is in the process of adding several associates from the local market. All personnel will join upon satisfaction of regulatory and notice provisions.

Partners Barry Stimpson and Simon Sloane will join the firm from Holman Fenwick Willan. Mr. Stimpson's practice focuses on shipping and international trade. He has been based in the Far East for almost 14 years and has more than 18 years' experience handling commercial, shipping and offshore matters. Mr. Sloane practices in the area of international arbitration and commercial dispute resolution, with a concentration in the energy and natural resources sector.

One of the major drivers for Reed Smith’s expansion is the burgeoning business activities of its major institutional clients in the energy and natural resources sector, in Singapore.

“The migration of major players over recent years toward Asia and Singapore in particular has prompted the firm to follow its clients," said Kyri Evagora, Co-chair of Reed Smith’s Global Energy & Natural Resources Group. "Several lawyers from our market-leading commodities team, based in London, will be deployed as part of our immediate plans for the office to service and support our clients.”

Mr. Antcliffe rejoins Reed Smith as a partner, following his move to Citigroup in 2011. Prior to his move, he was an associate in the Energy & Natural Resources Group of Reed Smith’s London office.

Mr. Antcliffe advises clients on contracts which facilitate their commodity trading business. He typically counsels on the structure of sale, storage, transportation and financing arrangements; advises traders in relation to execution problems arising under those contracts; and litigates disputes that arise with counterparties. He does both contentious and non-contentious work.

“We’re excited to follow the lead of our clients in the region and continue our strategic drive into key sectors including energy, natural resources, commodities and international trade, shipping and logistics,” said Roger Parker, Reed Smith’s Managing Partner for Europe, the Middle East and Asia. “Simon, Barry and Philip each bring a deep understanding of the market and the industries in which they work. They will partner closely with teams across our global network to provide seamless service to clients.”

“The Singapore International Arbitration Centre is regarded by global corporates as one of the most important dispute resolution forums and is important for our work across our contentious practices,” said Mr. Bhattacharyya, Reed Smith’s Singapore Office Managing Partner. “Singapore has become a gateway for commerce with India, one of the world’s largest economies, and will greatly assist us in our current and future engagement with clients in that very important market.”

The firm has leased temporary office space in Singapore and will move into permanent space in Ocean Financial Centre in early 2013.

ENDS

About Gautam Bhattacharyya

Gautam's practice is in international commercial arbitration and litigation, especially in the fields of banking and financial services, energy and infrastructure, media and entertainment, and corporate and commercial law disputes. He also jointly heads the firm's cross-departmental India Group. He is named as a recommended litigation and arbitration practitioner in the independent legal directories Legal 500, Chambers & Partners, Chambers Global, Chambers Asia, Legal Experts, and the Asia-Pacific Legal 500.

About Barry Stimpson

Barry is qualified in England, Hong Kong and Australia. He is ranked in tier one as a leading individual in both Legal 500 Asia Pacific and Chambers and Partners Asia, in shipping and international shipping/Singapore, respectively.

About Simon Sloane

Simon practices in the area of international arbitration and commercial dispute resolution, with a concentration in the hotel & leisure, re/insurance, mining, construction and upstream oil & gas (offshore energy) sectors. He has worked and lived in Singapore since 2006, having previously worked in private practice in London, and has direct experience of the insurance industry as a former in-house counsel in both the United States and the UK.

Simon is ranked as a leading individual in the dispute resolution category of Legal 500 Asia Pacific. He is also ranked as a leading individual by Chambers and Partners Asia in international dispute resolution and international insurance, in the Singapore category.

About Philip Antcliffe

Philip was previously counsel to the Global Commodities Division at Citigroup, having joined from Reed Smith in 2011. Prior to that, he joined Richards Butler (as it was known before the Reed Smith Richards Butler merger in 2007) as a trainee in 2004. Upon qualification in 2006, he joined the firm as an associate in the Shipping Group and then joined the Energy & Natural Resources Group at Reed Smith in 2007.

About Reed Smith

Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm with more than 1,700 lawyers in 23 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 and natural resources, real estate, manufacturing, and education. For more information, visit reedsmith.com.

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