The firm achieved Tier 1 rankings for its construction practice in the UAE and its energy practice in Greece, reflecting its market-leading reputation in these areas. The firm also gained new rankings in banking and finance, construction, shipping finance, and dispute resolution in France and the UAE, demonstrating its growth and capabilities in these areas.
Among the Reed Smith lawyers who received individual recognition, three were included in The Legal 500’s Hall of Fame, which honours lawyers “widely regarded as being at the very top of the profession” who have received consistent recognition in the guide. They are Dimitris Assimakis (Greece Energy), Sachin Kerur (UAE Construction) and Michelle Nelson (UAE Construction). Six lawyers were named as Leading Partners, three as Next Generation Partners and six as Leading Associates, highlighting the firm's depth of talent across the EMEA region.
PRACTICE RECOGNITION
The Legal 500 EMEA 2025 recognised Reed Smith for the following countries and practices:
Belgium
- Competition: EU and Global
- EU Regulatory: Pharma, Medical Devices and Biotech
- Industry Focus: Transport
France
- Banking and Finance: Transactional Work (new ranking)
- Construction (new ranking)
- Derivatives and Structured Finance
- Dispute Resolution: Commercial Litigation
- Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration
- EU, Competition and Distribution
- Industry Focus: Energy
- Industry Focus: Healthcare and Life Sciences
- Intellectual Property: Patents
- Media and Entertainment: Music
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Private Equity: Venture/Growth Capital
- Real Estate
- Shipping
- Shipping Finance (new ranking)
- Tax
Germany
- Data Protection
- Information Technology and Digitalisation
Greece
- Energy (Tier 1)
- Projects and Privatisation
- Shipping Litigation
Kazakhstan
- Commercial, Corporate and M&A
- Dispute Resolution
UAE
- Banking and Finance: Corporate Finance (including Islamic Lending)
- Commercial, Corporate and M&A
- Construction (Tier 1)
- Dispute Resolution: Arbitration and International Litigation
- Dispute Resolution: Compliance and Investigations (new ranking)
- TMT
LAWYER RECOGNITION
The Legal 500 EMEA 2025 recognised the following Reed Smith lawyers:
- Dimitris Assimakis – Greece Energy (Hall of Fame) AND Greece Projects and Privatisation (Leading Partners)
- Ana Atallah – France Shipping (Leading Partner)
- Marie Crumière – France Insolvency (Next Generation Partner) (new ranking)
- Chris Edwards – UAE Construction (Leading Associate)
- Antoine Guillemot – France Shipping (Leading Associate)
- Sachin Kerur – UAE Construction (Hall of Fame)
- Minas Kitsilis – Greece Energy (Leading Associate)
- Aurelie Lopez – France Shipping (Leading Associate)
- Umbreen Meenai – UAE Banking and Finance: Corporate Finance (Including Islamic Lending) (Leading Associate)
- Michelle Nelson – UAE Construction (Hall of Fame)
- Jamie Ryder – UAE TMT (Next Generation Partner)
- Sultan Seidalin – Kazakhstan Commercial, Corporate and M&A (Leading Associate)
- Andreas Splittgerber – Germany Information Technology: Data Protection (Leading Partner)
- Andrew Tetley – France Shipping (Leading Partner) AND France Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration (Next Generation Partner)
- Sally-Ann Underhill – Greece Shipping Litigation (Leading Partner)
- Askar Zhansagimov – Kazakhstan Commercial, Corporate and M&A (Leading Partner)
According to The Legal 500, Leading Partners represent: “The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.” Next Generation Partners are: “Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.” The Legal 500 defines Leading Associates as having “regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.”