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Dechert LLP Strengthens Securitization Practice

NEW YORK (September 8, 2003) - Dechert LLP announced today that Geoffrey K. Hurley, a leading structured finance lawyer, has joined the firm's finance and real estate group in New York.

Mr. Hurley, a lawyer with more than 25 years of securitization experience, is well known for his work in connection with commercial mortgage-backed securities offerings as well as his often innovative work relating to the securitization of a wide range of non-mortgage financial assets.

"Geoff has been part of the structured finance industry since its inception and he brings an unparalleled range of securitization expertise to our growing finance and real estate group," said Malcolm S. Dorris, head of the firm's securitization practice. "His addition will serve to deepen our overall capital markets capabilities and allow us to expand into other areas where we can be of service to our clients."

Mr. Hurley joins Dechert from Latham & Watkins where he was a partner in the firm's structured finance group. He was formerly a partner at Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy and, earlier in his career, co-founded Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom's structured finance practice.

Dechert's finance and real estate practice continues to be one of the firm's fastest growing areas, both domestically and internationally. Since 2002, the firm has welcomed partners Joseph Philip Forte, a pioneer in commercial real estate securitization and former head of Thacher, Profitt & Wood's real estate practice, Ellen M. Goodwin, and Joseph B. Heil. "Dechert's securitization and real estate practice is strategically important to the firm's future growth and an area where we are focusing efforts on expanding our capabilities and enhancing our market position," said Dechert chairman and chief executive officer Barton J. Winokur

Dechert LLP adds James R. Bryant III to Expand Real Estate Finance and Securitization Practices

- Opens Charlotte, North Carolina Office -

New York (January 5, 2004) - Dechert LLP today announced that James R. (Jamie) Bryant III will join the firm as a Charlotte-based partner in its Finance and Real Estate Group effective January 5, 2004. With this association, Dechert will open its 16th global location in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Mr. Bryant, previously a partner with Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw, brings substantial expertise in capital markets real estate financing and, in particular, commercial mortgage-backed securitization transactions. His long-term relationships with major banks headquartered in the region, and with civic and legal institutions in Charlotte, provide Dechert with a strong new presence in this expanding important market. Bryant currently serves on the Boards of Directors of the Mecklenburg County Bar Foundation and The University of North Carolina School of Law Banking Law Institute. He has previously held leadership positions with the United Family Services of the Greater Carolinas and the American National Red Cross, among others.

"Jamie offers Dechert additional strength in our growing capital markets practice," said John J. Gillies, Jr., a senior member of the firm's Finance and Real Estate Group's Executive Committee. "He will enable us to expand our market position in a number of important areas including asset-and mortgage-backed securitization, CDOs, private equity and M&A."

Well-known in the Charlotte financial community, Bryant will enhance Dechert's broadening real estate finance practice supporting current Dechert clients in the area and developing relationships with other financial institutions that are increasingly drawn to Charlotte. "I am delighted to be a part of expanding the firm's existing business relationships in Charlotte," stated Bryant. "I look forward to working closely with my new colleagues."

Dechert Chairman Barton J. Winokur noted that Bryant's experience and relationships with financial institutions in Charlotte offer Dechert a unique advantage in inaugurating a new office that will enhance its financial institutions practice. "Jamie Bryant is an outstanding lawyer. We welcome him to Dechert and are glad for the opportunity to establish a foothold in a region that is clearly one of the most important financial centers in the nation and one where we already have important clients."

Dechert's Charlotte office will be located in the 40th floor of the Bank of America Corporate Center at 100 North Tryon Street. In 2003, the firm also opened two offices in California. One in Palo Alto after 28 lawyers from Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly joined the firm in June, as well as another office in San Francisco, in January, focused on real estate financing.

Timothy J. Boyce to Strenghten the Firm's Real Estate and Capital Markets Prescence in Charlotte

New York (May 3, 2004) - Dechert LLP today announced that finance and real estate partner Timothy J. Boyce has relocated his practice from Hartford to the firm's new Charlotte office effective immediately. The office, which opened in January of this year, focuses on capital markets finance.

"Tim's addition serves as a visible sign of the firm's commitment to making this office a success. We plan to continue to recruit aggressively in the region and expect to significantly increase our bench strength in Charlotte in the upcoming months. I welcome Tim's substantial expertise and I look forward to working closely with him on building our practice here and introducing him to the Charlotte business community," said Jamie Bryant, the office's Managing Partner.

Tim represents mortgage loan originators as well as commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) loan servicers, b-note purchasers, and mezzanine lenders. He is a member of the American College of Real Estate Attorneys and writes and lectures frequently on real estate-related topics.

In addition to Tim, the Charlotte office has also recently welcomed Counsel, David A. Zybala, formerly Chief Real Estate Counsel at Bank of America, and associate Bruce G. Luna II. Dechert's Charlotte office is located on the 40th floor of the Bank of America Corporate Center at 100 North Tryon Street.

Dechert Continues to Build up it's Securitization Practice Receiving Big Boost with Addittion of Partner Steven J Molitor and Team from Morgan Lewis & Bockius

New York (June 8, 2004) - Dechert LLP today announced that Steven J. Molitor, former chair of Morgan Lewis & Bockius' securitization practice, has joined the firm along with seven former Morgan Lewis securitization lawyers including counsel Joseph V. Gatti and Eric P. Iversen, and five associates.

Molitor, who is resident in the firm's New York and Philadelphia offices, focuses on the securitization of financial assets and has represented clients in connection with hundreds of public mortgage- and asset-backed securitization transactions.

"Steve and his accomplished team bring substantial public securitization expertise to our growing finance and real estate group," said Malcolm S. Dorris, head of the Dechert's securitization practice. "Their cumulative experience will strengthen our overall capital markets capabilities and give us greater depth and sophistication with respect to public securitization transactions."

Counsel Eric P. Iversen, a lawyer with a broad range of securitization and resecuritization experience, is located in the firm's New York office. Counsel Joseph V. Gatti, whose public and private securitization work includes substantial experience in related bankruptcy and workout issues, is located in Washington, D.C. Four of the five associates will be resident in Philadelphia, with one resident in New York.

Dechert's finance and real estate practice continues to be one of the firm's fastest growing areas, both domestically and internationally. Since 2002, the firm has welcomed partners Joseph Philip Forte and Ellen Goodwin from Thacher, Profitt & Wood, Joseph B. Heil from Precept, Inc., Geoffrey Hurley from Latham & Watkins and Jamie Bryant from Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw.

"Dechert's securitization and real estate practice is strategically important to the firm's future growth and is an area where we are focusing efforts on expanding our capabilities and enhancing our market positions," stated Dechert Chairman, Barton J. Winokur.

"Dechert's visibility as a recognized leader in this marketplace was a tremendous impetus in our decision to join the firm," stated Molitor. He added, "Aligning ourselves with Dechert is a great opportunity to join a firm that has a solid commitment to securitization."

Dechert Continues Charlotte Expansion with Addition of John Timperio as Partner

Charlotte (June 28, 2004) -- Dechert LLP today announced that John Timperio has joined the firm as partner in the Finance and Real Estate Group and is based in the firm's Charlotte office. Prior to joining Dechert, Timperio was a partner at Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw.

"John is widely recognized as a rising star in the collateralized debt obligation/collateralized loan obligation arena," stated Jamie Bryant, managing partner of Dechert's Charlotte office. "He is highly regarded in the Charlotte banking and finance community and reinforces the strength of our growing presence in Charlotte."

Established in January of this year to focus on capital markets finance, Dechert's Charlotte office has been rapidly expanding. Last month, Dechert partner Timothy J. Boyce relocated his practice from Hartford, and earlier, counsel David A. Zybala, formerly chief real estate counsel at Bank of America, joined the office. In addition, Dechert recently announced that Steven J. Molitor, former chair of Morgan Lewis & Bockius' securitization practice, joined the firm along with seven former Morgan Lewis securitization lawyers, including counsel Joseph V. Gatti and Eric P. Iversen, and five associates.

"John's addition to the firm's Charlotte office will significantly support our growing practice and commitment to this important financial center," stated Barton J. Winokur, Dechert chairman. He added, "The inclusion of John, and Steve and his team, underscores our continuing focus on Dechert's securitization practice."

In addition to his work in the CDO/CLO market, Timperio will work with Jamie Bryant and the rest of the Charlotte team to further expand the office's overall capital markets practice.

"In a short time, Dechert has become a recognized and reputable presence in Charlotte," stated Timperio. "I am delighted to have the opportunity to rejoin Jamie, a former colleague, and work closely with him and my other new colleagues to further advance our initiatives in this practice area."

Charlotte (June 28, 2004) -- Dechert LLP today announced that John Timperio has joined the firm as partner in the Finance and Real Estate Group and is based in the firm's Charlotte office. Prior to joining Dechert, Timperio was a partner at Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw. ""John is widely recognized as a rising star in the collateralized debt obligation/collateralized loan obligation arena,"" stated Jamie Bryant, managing partner of Dechert's Charlotte office. ""He is highly regarded in the Charlotte banking and finance community and reinforces the strength of our growing presence in Charlotte."" Established in January of this year to focus on capital markets finance, Dechert's Charlotte office has been rapidly expanding. Last month, Dechert partner Timothy J. Boyce relocated his practice from Hartford, and earlier, counsel David A. Zybala, formerly chief real estate counsel at Bank of America, joined the office. In addition, Dechert recently announced that Steven J. Molitor, former chair of Morgan Lewis & Bockius' securitization practice, joined the firm along with seven former Morgan Lewis securitization lawyers, including counsel Joseph V. Gatti and Eric P. Iversen, and five associates. ""John's addition to the firm's Charlotte office will significantly support our growing practice and commitment to this important financial center,"" stated Barton J. Winokur, Dechert chairman. He added, ""The inclusion of John, and Steve and his team, underscores our continuing focus on Dechert's securitization practice."" In addition to his work in the CDO/CLO market, Timperio will work with Jamie Bryant and the rest of the Charlotte team to further expand the office's overall capital markets practice. ""In a short time, Dechert has become a recognized and reputable presence in Charlotte,"" stated Timperio. ""I am delighted to have the opportunity to rejoin Jamie, a former colleague, and work closely with him and my other new colleagues to further advance our initiatives in this practice area.""