International law firm Reed Smith (known in Hong Kong as Reed Smith Richards Butler) today announced the appointment of new partner Jason Toms to its global shipping group in Hong Kong. Jason joins with associate Joyce Cheung and both will join the firm’s Hong Kong office from Stephenson Harwood Hong Kong.
Jason is a litigation partner advising on all aspects of wet and dry shipping matters, with particular expertise in charterparty, transportation and shipping disputes and claims and collisions. Jason acts for shipowners, underwriters, charterers and freight forwarders, including being Hong Kong counsel for the world’s largest ocean freight forwarder and fifth largest air freight forwarder. He has acted on many of Hong Kong’s highest profile shipping (and litigation) cases including, for example, the collision and total loss of the “Neftegaz 67” (until recently Hong Kong’s worst maritime disaster in terms of loss of life).
“Our strong international platform and the cross-referral nature of our business offers candidates a unique opportunity to expand their practice.” commented Roger Parker, Reed Smith’s Europe, Middle East and Asia managing partner “Jason’s arrival is yet another example of our drive for new talent to expand our global offering to clients.”
Reed Smith has appointed five new lateral partners to its global shipping group over the last three years, in London, Washington D.C, New York and now Hong Kong. These new appointments are in addition to the five partner promotions the firm has made to the group in its London, Piraeus and Hong Kong offices.
The firm also announced the launch of its office in Singapore earlier this month, with the arrival of three new partners including Barry Stimpson and Simon Sloane who join the firm from Holman Fenwick Willan. Barry specialises in shipping and international trade. He has been based in the Far East for almost 14 years and has over 18 years’ experience handling commercial, shipping and offshore matters. Simon, an international arbitration and commercial dispute resolution specialist, has particular expertise in the energy and natural resources sector.
“In Hong Kong, our clients are continuing to seek wet and dry ‘Club’ shipping advice” commented Nick Shaw, partner and head of Reed Smith’s global shipping group. “We already have significant capability to service our growing mainland Chinese shipping practice led by Lianjun Li. Jason’s arrival will enhance our existing Club and dry shipping work in Hong Kong and complement our ‘wet’ work practice led by Ron Clark.”
“We’re delighted that Jason is joining us” said Hong Kong banking partner, Andrew Brown. “Not only is he a great addition to our shipping litigation team, it’s further support to our ship finance practice in the region at a time when clients are going to be looking increasingly for full service shipping capability across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the US.”
