The new division will support the firm's EMEA network
Reed Smith is expecting to launch Reed Smith Global Solutions in early July.
The support hub will initially open in the UK and will support the Pennsylvania-headquartered global firm’s Europe, Middle East, and Asia network.
Tasked to find “new approaches to problem solving,” the new division will include lawyers, analysts, and business-services professionals. Reed Smith said that it will recruit locally to staff the new hub.
Reed Smith is eyeing Leeds for its new venture because of its strong talent pool, high-quality real estate, growing technology offering, and two-hour connection with London, said Tamara Box, the firm’s Europe and Middle East managing partner.
“Leeds is the perfect location from which to launch our billion-dollar start-up. Reed Smith Global Solutions represents our commitment to the evolution of our working practices and to delivering high quality services, which are essential for the firm to remain competitive in today’s crowded marketplace,” she said.
The start-up will consist of a legal offering and a business services function. These include a records and e-discovery practice, as well as the hiring of associates and paralegals in key practice and industry groups to boost the firm’s services across the UK.
Reed Smith first launched a global customer centre – which provides accounting, human resources, information technology, business intake and conflict analysis, and central docketing services – in Pittsburgh in 2003.
That centre will eventually be merged with Reed Smith Global Solutions, the firm said.
