Reed Smith adds to Californian office

Law firm Reed Smith has expanded its Silicon Valley office by hiring George Willman as partner.

Willman, who joins the Palo Alto office, is a former software and telecommunications engineer who has counselled technology companies, focusing on patents.

Willman will join the firm’s corporate & securities group.

Catharina Min, managing partner at the Silicon Valley office, said Willman’s appointment would be a “fundamental building block” for the team.

“We welcome the opportunity to work with him to further expand and enhance our Valley presence,” Min said.

Willman, formerly of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, is a registered patent attorney and has assisted clients with obtaining patents, and has counselled on avoiding infringement and developing international patent portfolios.

“As my technology practice has diversified and become international in scope, I’m excited about bringing my clients onto a truly global platform,” said Willman.

“I was especially attracted to Reed Smith’s focus on cross-border work in and out of its Valley office; the firm is perfectly positioned to be one of the region’s leaders,” Willman added.

Reed Smith is a global law firm with more than 1,800 lawyers in 25 offices throughout the US, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.