RPC boosts financial disputes practice with Reed Smith partner hire as firm continues recent expansion

Reynolds Porter Chamberlain (RPC) has bolstered its financial disputes practice with the hire of Reed Smith partner Tom Hibbert.

Hibbert, who spent 10 years as a partner with the City office of Reed Smith and legacy firm Richards Butler, will head the financial disputes practice at RPC when he joins later this week (4 December).

His position is a new role within RPC, with Hibbert set to lead a five-partner team dedicated to banking litigation.

The firm said the move came in response to an increase in litigation coming from investors in financial institutions as the recession continues.

RPC is one of only a small number of City firms willing to litigate against banks, with the firm also taking referrals from some of its larger rivals.

Hibbert's hire is part of a wider push by RPC to expand its business, with the firm bringing in 10 new partners since September 2008.

Managing partner Jonathan Watmough said: "We're in a growth phase and have a story to tell. This is part of a wider strategy for the firm. Tom is a superb fit with us because he is a leader in his field and his experience is second to none."

Other recent hires for RPC include former Berwin Leighton Paisner partner Jonathan Levy, who is leading the firm's tax disputes practice, as well as former Dechert corporate partner David Wallis and Eversheds insurance and reinsurance litigation partners Paul Castellani and David Webster.

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