Reed Smith makes Paris hire as Simmons partner exodus continues

Fredj’s practice focuses on private equity and cross border M&A, particularly advising clients active in the renewable energy and life sciences sectors.

He has acted for domestic and international producers in wind farm portfolio acquisitions and provides M&A, regulatory and project development advice in the solar sector. In the life sciences sector, he has acted for UK and US pharmaceutical companies in French acquisitions and for French companies on US and international joint ventures.

Fredj joined Simmons from Salans in 2003 and was promoted to partner in 2008. Two of his corporate and M&A associates, Kenza Margaoui and Nadia Nevzi, have followed him to Reed Smith.

The additions push the lawyer headcount at Reed Smith’s Paris corporate team to 11. James Wilkinson, partner and head of Reed Smith’s European and Middle East corporate group, said the arrival of the new team will enable the firm to tap into the increasing demand for private equity advice in the renewable energy and life sciences sectors in France.

The past two months have seen Simmons suffer a string of departures from around its international network. Earlier this week the firm lost Hong Kong partner Sau-Wing Mak and consultant Kevin Tong to Australian firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques (27 September 2011) while last week London corporate lawyer Paul Exley defected to Jones Day (22 September 2011).

Earlier, Doha partner Samer Eido joined Allen & Overy (15 August 2011) and Frankfurt partner Jochen Seitz and counsel Peter Maier went to Mayer Brown (8 August 2011).