Law firm Reed Smith launches in Atlanta with nearly 40 lawyers

Adds comments from Greenberg Traurig spokesperson in paragraph 4, corrects Reed Smith founding city in paragraph 2, adds comments from Julie Hardin in paragraph 7

By David Thomas

Jan 30 (Reuters) - U.S. law firm Reed Smith said on Thursday that it has launched an office in Atlanta after hiring 37 lawyers there, mainly from a smaller regional firm, marking the largest legal group move of the year so far.

The move is a blow to Atlanta-based Morris, Manning & Martin, which has lost about 20% of its partnership in its home Atlanta office in the departures. Thirteen partners from the firm are joining Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-founded Reed Smith, which has about 1,600 lawyers globally.

Morris Manning managing partner Simon Malko said in a statement that the firm is financially healthy and committed to growth.

Reed Smith also hired two Atlanta partners from Greenberg Traurig, including Cindy Davis, who led the firm's banking and financial services practice. A spokesperson for Greenberg Traurig said the firm wished Davis and shareholder Daniel Richards well.

The departing Morris Manning partners include the co-leaders of its emerging companies and venture capital practice and its private equity practice, Nick Foreste and Scott Allen.

Foreste will co-chair Reed Smith's emerging company and venture capital practice while Amie Singer, a private equity partner from Morris Manning, will lead the new Atlanta office, Reed Smith said.

Reed Smith has a long list of clients who "have a strong presence" in the U.S. Southeast region, said Americas managing partner Julie Hardin, calling Atlanta a growing business hub that has seen an influx of private equity.

The mass hire is the largest by a major law firm since Polsinelli scooped up 47 lawyers, including at least 20 partners, from Holland & Knight last summer, allowing Polsinelli to establish a new office in Philadelphia.