Reed Smith moves to boost shipping teams

Reed Smith Richards Butler is upping its focus on its international shipping practice with the relocation of a lawyer apiece to Dubai and Hong Kong.

Partner Adam Morgan, a former head of Richards Butler's shipping practice, will move from London to Dubai at the beginning of April while admiralty manager Ron Clark is to relocate from London to Hong Kong in May.

Nick Shaw, head of the firm's shipping practice, said: "The Middle East and Asia Pacific are both of significant strategic importance to our clients in the shipping sector. Adam and Ron's relocation will not only enable us to strengthen and broaden our existing relationships but also enhance our offering to new clients in these regions as part of a global expansion programme during the course of this year."

Morgan's practice focuses on the acquisition and financing of new and second hand ships and aircraft. He also deals with the sale, purchase, construction, financing and operation of super yachts.

Prior to training as a lawyer Clark qualified as a master mariner and in 1991 became a marine surveyor for the UK Government. His relocation to Hong Kong comes after the January merger of Richards Butler Hong Kong with the rest of the Reed Smith Richards Butler network. The Hong Kong arm had opted to remain independent when the US's Reed Smith merged with UK firm Richards Butler a year earlier.