Chicago, Ill. (February 27, 2008) – Marking the latest step in its strategic expansion into key legal markets, Ropes & Gray, a leading national law firm, today announced the opening of a new office in Chicago. Joining the firm as partners are James T. Lidbury, Jonathan M. Grandon and Deborah A. Monson, all formerly partners at Mayer Brown in Chicago. Lidbury and Grandon’s practices focus on mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, and corporate and securities matters. Monson’s practice focuses on investment management, including hedge funds and commodities matters.

"This is an exciting development for Ropes & Gray," said R. Bradford Malt, chairman of Ropes & Gray. "We see in Chicago and the entire Midwest region a significant opportunity to continue our strategic growth into attractive markets. We expect that this office will grow rapidly in the near term. David Chapin and John Ayer, two Boston-based private equity partners, will be spending significant time in the Chicago office to facilitate integration and practice development."

"Jim and Jon are widely recognized for the quality of their transaction work, and they have an outstanding reputation for client service, advising an array of clients on a broad range of M&A-related work, governance issues and strategic initiatives," added Malt. "We are also delighted that Debbie will be joining our preeminent investment management practice. They are all remarkably talented lawyers who will contribute substantially to our new office. We look forward to working with our new colleagues in this exciting new endeavor."

"Jon, Debbie and I welcome the opportunity to join Ropes & Gray, and we look forward to capitalizing on the many opportunities to bring superior service to clients here in Chicago and across the country," said Lidbury. "Our initial focus will be on serving the needs of clients throughout the country and on building a full-service team of outstanding lawyers in Chicago in keeping with Ropes & Gray’s culture of excellence, collegiality and unstinting client service.”

Before joining Mayer Brown in 1994, Lidbury was an attorney in the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission’s Division of Corporate Finance. He was named recently to the 2008 BTI Transactions “Super All-Star Team” as one of the top three M&A lawyers in the United States. The 2007 edition of the respected Chambers USA guide cited Jim's "fantastic disposition, intellect and judgment," and said "his peers appreciate his 'reasonable and cooperative' approach." He earned his undergraduate and law degrees from Northwestern University. He is admitted to practice in Illinois, New York and the District of Columbia.

Grandon joined Mayer Brown in 2004. He earned his undergraduate degree from Columbia University and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Before joining Mayer Brown, Grandon was an associate at Simpson Thacher in New York. He is admitted to practice in Illinois and New York.

Monson joined Mayer Brown in 1994. She earned her undergraduate degree from Princeton University and law degree from the University of Michigan. Before joining Mayer Brown, Monson was an attorney at Schiff Hardin & Waite in Chicago. She is admitted to practice in Illinois.

With the new Chicago office, Ropes & Gray now has seven locations in preeminent centers of business and finance. In October 2007, Ropes & Gray opened an office in Tokyo, Japan.

Ropes & Gray LLP provides comprehensive legal services to leading businesses and individuals around the world. Clients benefit from expertise combined with unwavering standards for integrity, service, and responsiveness. With offices in preeminent centers of finance, technology and government, Ropes & Gray is ideally positioned to address today’s most pressing legal and business issues. Capabilities include antitrust, bankruptcy and business restructuring, corporate mergers and acquisitions, employee benefits, environmental, health care, intellectual property and technology, international, investment management, labor and employment, life sciences, litigation, private equity and venture capital, private client services, real estate and tax.

Contacts:

John D. Tuerck
Director of Communications
Ropes & Gray LLP
617.951.7817

Chris Tofalli
Chris Tofalli Public Relations
914.834.4334

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