(February 4, 2008, Los Angeles, CA) Reed Smith’s West Coast Commercial Litigation Group gains another top performing partner with the addition of Henry C. Wang in the firm’s Los Angeles office, effective immediately. Reed Smith is one of 15 largest law firms in the world and has more than 800 lawyers in its firmwide litigation department.

Mr. Wang was formerly a partner in the Los Angeles office of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP.

“Henry is a talented litigator who will further strengthen the ranks our of commercial litigation practice in Southern California,” said Lorenzo Gasparetti, Head of Reed Smith’s west coast Litigation Practice.  “Henry has handled a wide-array of litigation matters, and his diverse litigation experience will compliment Reed Smith’s growing global litigation practice.”

With a practice focus on general business litigation, Mr. Wang has a significant range of experience handling matters involving intellectual property, real estate, employment law, First Amendment rights, product liability, unfair competition, bad faith denial of insurance benefits, and other complex business tort and contract actions.  He represents clients in courts at all levels, including the US Supreme Court, as well as advises clients on general legal issues in day-to-day business operations.

“I believe the practice development opportunities generated by Reed Smith’s global expansion, particularly its recent expansion into China are unlimited,” Mr. Wang said.  “I know my clients will benefit from Reed Smith’s global capabilities, and I look forward to introducing them to many of the fine lawyers at the firm.”

A native of Taiwan, Mr. Wang is fluent in Mandarin and English.  He earned his J.D. from Tulane University School of Law in 1997, after which he joined William & Montgomery in Chicago.  He relocated to California, where he joined Manatt in 1999, after a brief stint at Meserve, Mumper & Hughes. 

Mr. Wang is  a member of the Asian Business League of Southern California (Co-President in 2002; Board of Directors in 2000 - 2001) and the Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association (Board of Governors from 2004 - present), among other organizations.  In, 2005, 2006, and 2007, he was named a Southern California "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers magazine, and in 2006, he was recognized as one of the Best Under 40 Lawyers by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association.

Mr. Wang joins the west coast commercial litigation group with Mark Litvack, also from Manatt who joins Reed Smith today in the firm’s Century City office.

Reed Smith's U.S. Commercial Litigation and European/Middle East Commercial Disputes Groups defend a diverse array of inter- and intra-business claims, as well as defend business interests around the world against private party and consumer complaints.  Collectively the group’s attorneys practice in all civil and commercial courts in their national and local jurisdictions, have experience before most major international commercial tribunals and have conducted private arbitration proceedings worldwide.

About Reed Smith

Reed Smith is one of the 15 largest law firms in the world, with more than 1,600 lawyers in 23 offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.  Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises.  Its attorneys provide litigation services in multi-jurisdictional matters and other high stake disputes, deliver regulatory counsel, and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions.  Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising and media, shipping, international trade and commodities, real estate, manufacturing, and education.  For more information, visit reedsmith.com

U.S.: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Oakland, Princeton, Northern Virginia, Wilmington, Century City, Richmond

Europe: London, Paris, Munich, Birmingham, Greece

Middle East:  Abu Dhabi, Dubai

Asia: Hong Kong, Beijing