Reed Smith LLP, one of the 15 largest law firms in the world, today announced the addition of four partners who handle high stakes state tax controversies for Fortune 500 companies and others across the U.S. Lee Zoeller, Kyle Sollie, David Kraus and Frank Gallo will join the firm’s Philadelphia office, effective today.

“The momentum we have recently achieved in our nationwide tax controversy practice with an outstanding group of attorneys in California gets another giant boost with the addition of this high-powered team on the East Coast,” said Gregory B. Jordan, firmwide Managing Partner of Reed Smith. “Landing Lee and his team in Philadelphia reflects our continued interest in strategically growing in our major markets.”

The group has worked together for many years and built a substantial practice representing a diverse group of large companies in state tax controversy matters with a particular focus on the East coast.

Mr. Zoeller joined Dechert in 1989. He was formerly chair of that firm’s state tax practice group. His practice is devoted to the litigation of state tax controversies before administrative appeals boards, tax tribunals, and state courts throughout the country. He is a 1989 graduate of The Dickinson School of Law and earned a B.A. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1986.

Mr. Sollie joined Dechert in 1996. His practice is devoted entirely to state tax litigation and appeals throughout the US, with a particular emphasis on the Mid-Atlantic and New England states. Mr. Sollie is a 1996 graduate of Villanova University School of Law and earned a B.A. from Temple University in 1993.

Mr. Kraus joined Dechert in 1987. His practice is devoted to tax planning and compliance, as well as state tax appeals and litigation. Mr. Kraus is a 1985 graduate of Boston University School of Law and earned a B.A. from Dickinson College in 1982.

Mr. Gallo joined Dechert in 1997. He focuses his practice on state tax planning and controversy matters, specializing in income/franchise and sales and use taxes. Mr. Gallo is a 1996 graduate of Villanova University School of Law and earned a B.S.A. from Villanova University in 1993.

“Dechert is an outstanding firm and it has been a privilege to practice law with so many terrific people for 17 years, but in order to more effectively serve the state tax needs of our clients across the country, the case for moving to Reed Smith was compelling,” said Mr. Zoeller. “Joining forces with Reed Smith’s state tax lawyers in California who share a common focus on client relationships and service will create one of the premier state tax practices in the country.”

Reed Smith launched its Tax Controversy Group with Jim Kleier, Brian Toman and John Messenger who joined from the San Francisco office of Preston Gates & Ellis in May 2005. The Group added its first Philadelphia-based member -- Phillip A. Pillar, former Mid-Atlantic Director of the Tax Controversy and Risk Management Services practice at Ernst & Young LLP -- in June 2005.

The Tax Controversy Group has counseled and litigated on behalf of businesses, individuals, and governments with respect to franchise, income, sales, use, property, business and occupation, and other excise taxes. Reed Smith’s tax controversy practice has a broad range of capabilities focused on state tax issues associated with e commerce, telecommunications and other high technology issues, as well as regularly advising clients on strategies to minimize the impact of diverse and complex state taxes on business transactions in various industries.

“Adding this group in Philadelphia gives Reed Smith critical mass on the East Coast in an important and growing practice area for the firm,” said Claudia Springer, managing partner of Reed Smith’s Philadelphia office. “We are simply thrilled to have Lee and his team joining us.”

About Reed Smith

Reed Smith is one of the 15 largest law firms in the world, with more than 1,500 lawyers in 21 offices throughout the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises. Its attorneys provide litigation services in multi-jurisdictional matters and other high stake disputes, deliver regulatory counsel, and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions. Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising and media, shipping, international trade and commodities, real estate, and education. For more information, visit reedsmith.com

http://www.reedsmith.com

Troutman Sanders LLP reported Monday it will open an office in Shanghai, making it the only Atlanta-based law firm with an office in mainland China, the world's fastest-growing economy.

The opening of the Shanghai office continues Troutman Sanders' expansion in the Pacific Rim, where the law firm operates a Hong Kong office that opened in 1997. Combined, the two offices will employ about 40 people.

"China's economy is booming, and many of our global clients are working in or planning to expand into this growing region," said Robert W. Webb Jr., chairman and managing partner of Troutman Sanders, during a press conference at the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

He said the expansion will help clients in the Asia-Pacific region, who need legal assistance with mergers and acquisitions, foreign direct investment, private equity and venture capital, corporate law.

Webb joined Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin last fall on the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce's trade mission to China.

"The opening of a Troutman Sanders office in Shanghai is an important step in Atlanta's ongoing efforts to strengthen business ties with China," Franklin said. "It is a great example of what can be accomplished when local business leaders work together to tell Atlanta's story, as they did during the September trip to China. We will continue that cooperation as we work to expand Atlanta's global reach."

http://www.troutmansanders.com

Fisher & Phillips LLP has hired an associate to work with the law firm’s growing immigration business practice. Jessica Cook has been practicing law for two years focusing on business immigration, labor and employment law, and general civil litigation with the firm Woods Rogers PLC in Roanoke, Virginia. Ms. Cook is a Virginia native.

Ms. Cook earned her law degree from William & Mary in 2004 and graduated summa cum laude from Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama.

Fisher & Phillips Partner David Whitlock, who heads the firm’s business immigration practice, said, “Jessica brings important business immigration law experience to the firm at a time when we are seeing a marked increase in the work our clients need. Our clients and the firm are fortunate to be able to attract someone who can immediately have an impact in a field of law that is increasingly important to business owners.”

The firm’s immigration business practice includes extensive visa work, handling both temporary and permanent visa cases, as well as advice regarding compliance with the I-9, discrimination, and document abuse provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. The firm also handles litigation arising under that statute.

About Fisher & Phillips

Fisher & Phillips LLP (www.laborlawyers.com) is one of the largest national law firms in the field of labor and employment law, with 200 attorneys in 17 offices. Founded in 1943, it was one of the first U.S. law firms to concentrate its practice exclusively upon representation of employers in labor and employment matters. In addition to its Atlanta headquarters, the firm also has offices in Charlotte, Chicago, Columbia, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Irvine, Kansas City, Las Vegas, New Jersey, New Orleans, Orlando, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, and Tampa.

http://www.laborlawyers.com

“As was the case with our recent relocation of our New York office in Midtown Manhattan, we’re looking forward to moving to a dynamic new space that can accommodate our future growth,” said Brad Malt, chairman of Ropes & Gray. “Like Midtown, Back Bay offers an appealing mix of central location, cultural and recreational amenities, and convenience for our clients, attorneys and staff alike. International Place is a great building and has been a wonderful location for us since 1989, but we are excited by this development.”

The Prudential Center is a 3.2 million square foot urban center, comprised of 2.6 million square feet of office space and 620,000 square feet of retail space. The complex provides direct access to the Massachusetts Turnpike and on-site access to the MBTA Green Line, as well as the largest parking garage in New England, with space for 3,660 cars. The 52-story Prudential Tower features spectacular views of Boston, Cambridge and the surrounding areas. In 2006, Prudential Center was the recipient of the Urban Land Institute Award for Excellence as best mixed-use project on an international basis. Additionally, the Prudential Tower was the recipient of the 2006 BOMA Best Building of the Year Award.

Under the deal, O2 will link the “Airwave” network used by the police and other emergency services to London Underground's own “Connect” digital radio system, to allow police officers to have radio coverage when working in any of the Tube's tunnels and stations.

This complex transaction involved seven parties and required two separate and independent PFI contracts to be linked up in an innovative way. O2 Airwave provides the UK's secure digital communications network for emergency and public safety organisations, known as “Airwave”, which is used by all officers across police forces in Great Britain including the British Transport Police. To date, this network has only provided coverage in London Underground surface stations and cut-and-cover tunnels, but not in deep stations and tunnels across the Tube network. Independently, Citylink, a consortium of a number of telecoms providers is rolling out “Connect”, a new digital radio system for London Underground for use by London Underground personnel. Under the series of contracts now signed, the two systems will be linked together to provide coverage for police and other emergency services’ radios right across the London Underground network. Once in place, Airwave users, including police officers or ambulance crews, will have seamless radio coverage as they enter all Underground stations from above ground or when they travel on trains.

The Morrison & Foerster team was led by partner Alistair Maughan, technology procurement specialist and head of Morrison & Foerster’s Global Sourcing Group, and Reinhard Schu, a senior associate in Morrison & Foerster’s Global Sourcing Group. Mr. Maughan has been PITO’s legal adviser on the Airwave project since 1996.

www.mofo.com

• Sarah J. Atkinson – Corporate, Securities, and Finance

• Mark A. Kornfeld – Litigation
• Tedd W. Van Buskirk – Litigation

• Robin K. Everett – Intellectual Property

• Alexander J. Park – Corporate, Securities, and Finance
• Robert N. Rabecs – Health
• Deborah K. Staudinger – Lending, Bankruptcy, and Creditors’ Rights
• James M. Wickett – Legislative