International law firm Reed Smith announced Perry Yam will join the firm as a partner to launch a European and Middle East private equity practice. He will be the head of the practice.
Yam joins the firm from SJ Berwin, where he was a partner in the firm’s corporate department.
James Wilkinson, head of Reed Smith’s EME Corporate Group was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “Perry’s appointment represents a significant step forward for our private equity practice in London, with his renowned expertise able to take our corporate and transactional practice to new heights. Creating a comprehensive, global private equity offering is a vital component of our long-term strategy for the corporate group, and Perry clearly has the energy and experience to the lead the development of a stronger European team around our existing capability in London and Paris to complement our already robust U.S. and Asian offering.”
Yam has a well-respected venture capital practice, and he advises on both technology and life science investments. The Legal 500 describes him as “the most prolific advisor to VC Funds in London.” Too, Yam has a broad range of experience, spanning all facets of the private equity industry, including institutional buyout transactions, buy-and-build strategies, exits/fundraising on AIM and other investment markets, and public-to-private transactions. He has acted for a number of private equity houses operating in the mid-market, advising on transactions in a wide range of sectors including technology, health care and life sciences, financial services, and leisure.
Roger Parker, Reed Smith’s EME Managing Partner was quoted as saying: “Reed Smith’s global footprint, including 23 offices across four continents, puts the firm at the forefront of the marketplace the world over, and particularly within the nexus of global financial transactions emanating from New York, London and Hong Kong. The addition of Perry as a significant pillar of our global private equity offering will further bolster that position. His experience advising firms and management teams within the financial services, technology, and health care and life sciences sectors is perfectly aligned with three of our four key industry groups, providing powerful synergies across the firm, and representing a significant step forward for our global corporate capability within these core sectors.”
Yam was quoted as saying: “I look forward to joining the team at Reed Smith, and leading the charge to further build and enhance its private equity capability across Europe and around the globe. As the industry continues to look further afield for new opportunities, helping to establish a truly global private equity offering at Reed Smith represents an exciting and rewarding challenge, and is a natural next step in my career.”
Global law firm Reed Smith has over 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.