The inclusion of these Reed Smith practitioners reflects the firm’s commitment to developing lawyers who combine market-leading skill with civic engagement.
Henry Birkbeck
Henry Birkbeck, counsel in the firm’s Entertainment and Media Industry Group, advises across the full life cycle of audio-visual projects. He structures and negotiates production and finance deals for films, high-end TV, video games and podcasts, acting for studios, SVOD platforms, broadcasters, developers and institutional lenders. He also acts for clients on rights acquisitions and development financing and has led bank and mezzanine facilities for several international, award-winning titles. His background in broader finance, gained at a Magic Circle firm, allows him to bridge creative and financial objectives with commercial acuity.
Laura-May Scott
Laura-May Scott, partner in the Global Commercial Disputes Group, is a seasoned litigator whose practice spans complex banking disputes. She represents global financial institutions and corporates advising them on pre-action strategy through to trial and is often instructed on cases at the High Court and Court of Appeal. Laura-May is also an insurance recovery specialist in the Insurance Recovery Group acting exclusively for policyholders. She secures coverage in finance, marine cargo, D&O, political risk and trade-credit lines dealing with disputes with insurers and advising on insurance program design and wordings. Her praise from clients for meticulous skill underscores her reputation and she is repeatedly ranked in Legal 500 UK and Chambers & Partners for insurance litigation (acting for policyholders), noted as being “very able,” “impressive” and “always on top of the detail.”
Tom Morgan
Tom Morgan, a senior associate in the Global Commercial Disputes Group, handles high-stakes insurance recovery and commercial litigation across the English courts, including the UK Supreme Court, as well as in international arbitration. Recognized by Legal 500 as a “very strong performer,” he advises policyholders and corporates on contentious coverage and contractual claims, bringing analytical rigor and cross-sector insight to every mandate. Tom also leads Reed Smith’s Environmental Working Group, steering pro bono partnerships with environmental charities.
Brummell’s independent judging panel assesses technical excellence, client impact and contributions beyond billable work. Visit the Brummell Ones to Watch page.