Pittsburgh-headquartered law firm Reed Smith has opened an office in Singapore, as it seeks to tap into the increasing activity in energy and natural resources in the region.

The office is the firm’s fourth in Asia, following outposts in Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai.

“We’re excited to follow the lead of our clients in the region, and continue our strategic drive into key sectors including energy, natural resources, commodities and international trade, shipping and logistics,” said Roger Parker, Reed Smith’s managing partner for Europe, the Middle East and Asia, in statement.

Partner Gautam Bhattacharyya will relocate from London to head the office, which will also include new partners Barry Stimpson, Simon Sloane and Philip Antcliffe. Stimpson and Sloane join from Holman Fenwick Willan, while Antcliffe rejoins the firm after a stint at Citigroup.

Bhattacharyya specialises in international commercial arbitration and litigation, especially in the fields of banking and financial services, energy and infrastructure, media and entertainment, and corporate and commercial law disputes. Stimpson focuses on shipping and international trade, with more than 18 years of experience in handling commercial, shipping and offshore matters, while international arbitration and commercial dispute resolution specialist Sloane has expertise in the energy and natural resources sector. Antcliffe advises clients on contracts which facilitate their commodity trading business.

Reed Smith will also be relocating another lawyer from the firm’s London office, and adding more associates in Singapore.

____________________________________________________________________________

Singapore summer: Firms that have announced office openings in the past six months

Folllow us on Twitter: @ALB_Magazine.

Other related stories are:

• New partner for Reed Smith Shanghai
• Reed Smith Shanghai nabs Pfizer counsel
• Reed Smith poaches Gateley construction head in Dubai