April 14, 2014, Chicago – Reed Smith LLP today welcomed James Hnilo as a partner in its Chicago office. Previously a Chicago-based General Counsel of UBS Global Asset Management’s Alternative and Quantitative Investments hedge fund group consisting of hedge fund manager O’Connor and hedge fund of fund manager Alternative Investment Solutions, Hnilo is the newest member of Reed Smith’s Financial Industry Group (FIG).

“Jim brings an in-demand skill set and a unique career background to our group,” said Perry Napolitano, Global Co-Chair of Reed Smith’s FIG. “Few attorneys have been the general counsel of a hedge fund and a fund of funds business simultaneously. We have numerous financial services clients who will benefit from his knowledge and experience. This is an enormous opportunity for the firm and a great platform for Jim.”

Hnilo joined UBS in 1997, serving first as an attorney for UBS Global Asset Management. He was named Chief Compliance Officer for the hedge fund business in 2000 and became the general counsel of UBS’ hedge fund and separate fund of funds business in 2003. His experience extends to many areas in financial services, including Corporate & Securities, Compliance, Corporate Governance, Litigation and Labor & Employment.

“I have a great deal of experience identifying and navigating issues facing hedge fund managers as well as hedge fund investors and wanted to transition the combination of skills to a law firm that values and prioritizes client relationships,” said Hnilo. “Reed Smith is a premier relationship- and growth-oriented firm that is comfortable with creativity and innovation from which the hedge fund community can benefit. I believe there will be significant opportunities to provide my hedge fund management capabilities to Reed Smith’s current clients as well as to develop my numerous contacts into clients for the firm.”

Hnilo graduated from John Marshall Law School in 1997.

“Jim brings this office and the Financial Industry Group a particularly valuable perspective since his background involves not just law but business judgment,” said Mike LoVallo, Managing Partner of Reed Smith’s Chicago office. “His existing network of connections throughout the global hedge fund community will be invaluable as he leverages our existing global platform and infrastructure to build a thriving private practice here.”

Now with more than 300 lawyers worldwide, Reed Smith’s Financial Industry Group leverages the considerable skills of its financial litigation, finance and lending, investment management, financial regulatory, commercial restructuring and bankruptcy, and M&A practices to serve clients around the world. It represents nine of the 10 top U.S. banks, as well as the top 10 banks in Europe and the top 10 banks in Asia.

About Reed Smith

Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm with more than 1,800 lawyers in 25 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.

U.S.: New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Houston, Princeton, Northern Virginia, Wilmington, Silicon Valley, Century City, Richmond

Europe: London, Paris, Munich, Greece

Middle East: Abu Dhabi, Dubai

Asia: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, Kazakhstan