Summer of Strategic Hires; Nossaman Adds Two Lateral Partners

SAN FRANCISCO (September 8, 2005) - Today, Nossaman Guthner Knox & Elliott LLP, announced the addition of two lateral partners, Alexander Hamilton in San Francisco and Lloyd W. Pellman in Los Angeles. Mr. Hamilton's practice focuses on transactional real estate and construction law. He joins the firm from Benjamin, Weill & Mazer. Mr. Pellman joins the firm's litigation department. Previously with Brown Winfield & Canzoneri, Inc.; his practice focuses on municipal and governmental law.

The new partners join on the heels of lateral partner hire Patrick Hanly in Sacramento as well as the addition of several associates, all in recent months. "We continue to focus on select strategic hires that build on the strengths of our core practice areas and our client base. Pellman and Hamilton do both," said Nossaman Managing Partner, Scott DeVries.

Mr. Pellman received his J.D. from Loyola Law School and a B.S. in education from Ohio State University. He served in the Los Angeles County Counsels office for over 30 years and most recently, from August 1998 to April of 2004, as County Counsel. For 20 years, Mr. Pellman served as counsel to the Los Angeles County Local Agency Formation Commission. In addition, he currently serves on both the Executive Committee and Board of Directors for the California General Counsel Forum, a non-profit organization he co-founded.

Mr. Hamilton attended the University of Houston Law Center where he earned his J.D. and attended the University of Texas at Austin where he earned a B.B.A. in accounting. Mr. Hamilton's previous work experience includes work as in-house counsel at GATX Real Estate and as a partner at McLennon & Hamilton, LLP. He is also the author of the Miller and Starr California Real Estate Forms, a five volume real estate forms and practice guide published by the West Group. The wide use of the set both in print and online are the result of Mr. Hamilton's expertise in commercial leasing, real estate purchase and sales and construction law.

"Nossaman's strength in real estate and its broad California geographic presence make the firm an ideal fit. It is gratifying to be joining a peer group as well respected as that of my fellow partners," said Mr. Hamilton.

Mr. Pellman added, "I am thrilled to be joining a group of lawyers who provide outstanding legal services to such a variety of public and private clients. Having spent virtually all my career in serving the County of Los Angeles, the Metropolitan Transportation Agency and other related agencies, I believe Nossaman's government law practice is one of the very best in California."