Global law firm selects Leeds City Region for new location

Tamara Box, managing partner Europe & Middle East at Reed Smith said, �With its strong talent pool, high quality real estate, growing technology offering and 2-hour connection with London; 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.�

Reed Smith Global Solutions will consist of a legal offering as well as a business services function. The legal offering will see the creation of a Records & E-Discovery practice drawing on the firm�s highly successful offering in the US, as well as the hiring of associates and paralegals in key practice and industry groups to expand the firm�s offering throughout the UK. The business services function will draw on the firm�s success in launching its Global Customer Centre (GCC) in Pittsburgh in 2009 which provides accounting, human resources, information technology, business intake and conflict analysis, and central docketing services. With the addition of a second location providing dedicated support across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, the firm will be able to continue to enhance global service standards. Over time, the firm intends to integrate both the US and EMEA offerings into the Global Solutions network.

Kevan Skelton, director of global recruiting said, �Our people are our biggest asset and we are committed to growing our base in Leeds through strategic local hires with disruption to our existing teams kept to a minimum. We have several existing vacancies throughout the business in our legal and business services functions which will form the start of our hiring and over time we will continue to assess new vacancies and whether they can be fulfilled in Leeds, London, or another Reed Smith location.�

Councillor Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council commented, �This is excellent news that demonstrates recognition from a significant global law firm that Leeds is fast-becoming the pre-eminent UK centre for legal services outside of the capital. Our diverse range of professional talent, high quality Grade A office accommodation and strong travel links to London makes Leeds a highly attractive option.""

�We�re a forward-thinking, dynamic city at the geographic centre of the Northern Powerhouse and we very much embrace innovative new business approaches like Reed Smith�s.�

One of the key aims of Reed Smith Global Solutions is to drive modern and collaborative working practices. In Leeds, individuals from different backgrounds and professions will have the opportunity to work alongside each other to find new approaches to problem solving. The goal is to create not only a place where people want to work, but also an environment that facilitates continual improvement of our practices.

Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership added, �It�s a vote of confidence in the City Region that global legal brand Reed Smith has chosen to launch Reed Smith Global Solutions in Leeds. Our legal sector is growing at a faster rate than any other city in the UK. This announcement adds to that momentum and the vibrancy of our professional services eco-system. I look forward to seeing Reed Smith develop its presence here through the adoption of innovative working practices, investment in tech, and employment of great people from our talent pipeline.�