Reed Smith

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Overview

The long search by City outfit Richards Butler for a transatlantic merger partner formally came to an end at the start of 2007, when the combination between the mid-tier firm and fast-growing US national Reed Smith went live. The Pittsburgh-based firm has been in expansive for some time, with the Richards Butler deal just one in a series of major tie-ups that boosted revenue to a new high of $644m (£328m) for 2007.

Also in 2007, the firm merged with mid-sized Chicago firm Sachnoff & Weaver and in late 2007 Reed Smith got its hands on the highly profitable Hong Kong arm of the former Richards Butler, which for a time had threatened to opt out of the merger deal.

In January 2008 the firm added a 55-lawyer team from Anderson Kill & Olick, most of whom joined in New York, which came after merger talks between the two firms in mid-2007 failed due to conflicts issues.

In April 2008, the firm announced that it was ditching the Richards Butler tag from its UK and Middle East operations, as well as shedding the Rambaud Charot name from its French practice.

History

Culture

Key departments

In the UK, Richards Butler was best known for its shipping and litigation practices, having at one stage been among the few firms willing to litigate against banks. That stance has changed somewhat, however, since the Reed Smith tie-up (with some exceptions).

National/international coverage

Key clients

Leading partners

Former Richards Butler chief Roger Parker (pictured above) is the public face of Reed Smith in the UK, having taken on a post-merger role of European managing partner.

Career prospects

Reed Smith made up a total of 31 new partners globally at the end of 2007, although with just three of those coming in the City, legacy Richards Butler associates might not be feeling too optimistic about their chances of making partner in the near future.

Salaries

Recruitment

Work-life balance

Diversity

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