Reed Smith Paris head jumps ship to Thomas Cooper & Stibbard

Boutique maritime law firm Thomas Cooper & Stibbard (TC&S) is set to launch a new office in the French capital after raiding Reed Smith’s Paris office.

The Paris shipping practice will open next month with Reed Smith’s managing partner Lars Lewis at the helm. He leaves Reed Smith, formerly Richards Butler, after holding the post of Paris managing partner for five years.

Lewis takes with him Reed Smith’s head of shipping in Paris partner Peter Iglikowski and shipping partner Christophe Hunkeler, leaving Reed Smith with just four shipping partners.

The Paris practice will be TC&S’s sixth international office adding to its bases in London, Singapore, Athens, Vancouver and Madrid.

Stephen Swabey, TC&S’ senior partner said his firm was fortunate to have some of the leading names in the Paris shipping market join.

“Establishing an office in Paris, a key jurisdiction for international dispute resolution, was an important part of our strategy to develop our shipping practice internationally,” added Swabey.