Reed Smith Expands Maritime Practice

Reed Smith LLP said it is expanding its shipping practice through the addition of Lars Forsberg as a partner in the firm’s New York office.

Forsberg comes to Reed Smith from the New York office of Holland & Knight where he was a partner.

Forsberg began his legal career at Burlingham Underwood & Lord, where he helped establish that firm’s Saudi Arabia office and gained exposure to and knowledge of Middle Eastern issues and opportunities.

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He represented Shell Oil in the 1978 Amoco Cadiz casualty, and has worked on other high-profile bankruptcy, workout and restructuring matters in a maritime context.

Jonathan Benner and Matthew Thomas, two other experienced maritime lawyers, joined Reed Smith’s Washington, D.C., office as partners in October, and will collaborate with Forsberg in building out the firm’s shipping practice in the United States.

Forsberg currently handles purchase and sale matters for commercial vessels and large private yachts, which involves construction contracts and contentious matters ranging from cargo claims to shipyard disputes. He has extensive experience in federal trial litigation, including multi-district cases. He has also acted as counsel in numerous arbitrations and alternative dispute resolutions involving commercial disputes and maritime matters.

-- Contact Peter T. Leach at pleach@joc.com.