Corporate Attorney Ernest M. Stern Joins Seyfarth Shaw’s Washington, D.C. Office

Washington, D.C. (July 26, 2006) - - Seyfarth Shaw LLP, one of America’s leading full service law firms, announced that Ernest M. Stern has joined the firm's Washington, D.C. office as partner in its Corporate and Finance Practice Group. Previously, Stern was partner with Schiff Hardin LLP where he was head of that firm’s Business and Technology Practice Group.

Stern's practice is focused on corporate and securities transactions with an emphasis on high-technology clients. He has significant experience in public and private equity and debt financings, as well as venture capital investments and domestic and overseas mergers and acquisitions transactions. He represents hedge funds, publicly traded companies and emerging companies as well as various brokers/dealers and investment advisers.

"Ernie will be a tremendous asset to Seyfarth Shaw because of his substantial technology and corporate experience," stated Allan J. Reich, chair of the firm’s Corporate and Finance group. "He is a highly respected attorney who continues to provide sophisticated corporate legal counsel to a large number of the technology companies headquartered in the D.C. region. We are pleased and excited to welcome Ernie into the firm’s partnership and our growing corporate practice."

Seyfarth Shaw’s Corporate and Finance attorneys possess the broad, in-depth experience necessary to serve a diverse client base, ranging from start-up ventures to middle market companies to large multinational corporations. Since corporate matters frequently involve aspects of many legal disciplines, our corporate attorneys regularly draw on the resources of the firm’s other practice areas such as taxation, real estate, environmental, employee benefits, intellectual property, labor and employment and bankruptcy to deliver coordinated, seamless service to our clients. Their skills and commitment to service span many industries including consumer products, distribution, e-commerce, energy, financial services, health care, information technology, insurance, manufacturing, media, pharmaceuticals, professional services, retail, technology, telecommunications and transportation. The firm’s corporate and finance practice is focused in areas such as mergers and acquisitions, securities, investment management, corporate counseling, commercial transactions, financing, international business and tax planning.

"We are delighted that Ernie has joined the firm," noted Joseph R. Damato, managing partner of Seyfarth Shaw’s Washington, D.C. office. "He is an accomplished attorney recognized in the D.C. community for the sound counsel he provides promising tech companies in financial transactions that allow them to expand their businesses in a competitive marketplace. He truly is a welcome addition to the firm."

Stern routinely speaks and writes on legal subjects relating to going public, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital financing and regulatory and compliance issues involving NASDAQ and other securities exchanges. He chaired the Emerging Business Committee of the D.C. bar and is a member of the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association and the Northern Virginia Technology council. He received his A.B. (summa cum laude) from Bowdoin College and he earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

"I am extremely pleased to join Seyfarth Shaw for the opportunity to expand my practice in a supportive and growing environment," stated Stern. "This firm is committed to client service and recognizes the importance of solid client relationships that prosper over time. I look forward to this next phase of my career."

Seyfarth Shaw has over 650 attorneys located in nine offices throughout the United States including Chicago, New York, Boston, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sacramento as well as Brussels, Belgium. Seyfarth Shaw provides a broad range of legal services in the areas of labor and employment, employee benefits, litigation and business services. The firm’s practice reflects virtually every industry and segment of the country’s business community. Clients include over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, newspapers and other media, hotels, health care organizations, airlines and railroads. The firm also represents a number of federal, state, and local governmental and educational entities. For more information, please visit www.seyfarth.com.

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