(November 18, 2005 – Oakland, CA) LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – Reed Smith LLP, a top 25 global law firm, has been named winner of the Inner City Economic Development Award by Inner City Advisors (ICA), an organization that works with selected inner city businesses requiring consulting services in areas such as business development, technology, infrastructure management and other areas of support. The recognition was presented yesterday evening at the Fourth Annual Business Reception & Benefit Auction in Oakland, California.
Jack Nelson, the California Market Managing Partner for Reed Smith, received the award on behalf of the firm. “It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by an organization that plays such a vital role in helping emerging inner city businesses gain access to consultants and professional services that might otherwise be unavailable,” Nelson said. “The work provided to ICA by my Reed Smith colleagues is another example of how we honor our commitment to strengthen the communities in which we work and live,” he added.
Jose Corona, the Managing Director of Inner City Advisors, lauded the firm’s contributions of legal guidance to inner city Oakland businesses. “Reed Smith’s long-time support of Inner City Advisors and the firm’s overall commitment to giving back to the community with pro bono legal services made them a standout in this year’s selection process,” Corona said. “Reed Smith’s efforts helped continue to propel Inner City Advisors toward its mission of stimulating economic development through advice to entrepreneurs in the inner city.”
In its selection process for the Inner City Economic Development Award, Inner City Advisors considered criteria such as:
* Contribution to furthering ICA’s mission – building sustainable businesses that lead to job creation and wealth creation in the inner city
* The level of commitment and involvement with inner city residents, businesses and/or community groups
* Staff involvement in giving back to the community
* Activity in ICA-sponsored work and functions.
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Reed Smith LLP is a top-25 international law firm with 1,000 lawyers located in 18 cities worldwide (14 in the U.S. and four in Europe). The firm represents clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to mid-market and emerging companies. Clients include financial services firms, life sciences companies, health care providers, technology companies and entrepreneurs, power generators and suppliers, manufacturers, real estate companies, universities, and non-profit organizations throughout the United States and 40 countries. For more information, visit www.reedsmith.com.
