Morris, Manning & Martin Adds Five Attorneys

ATLANTA, GA--(Marketwire - May 18, 2009) - Partners C. Glenn Dunaway and Stephen B. Schrock, of counsel Chuck Connors, associates Karen Reschly and Rebecca Vandiver and senior paralegal Wenona Mills have joined Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP from Bryan Cave Powell Goldstein. They will establish the new the Timberland Investments and Forest Products Practice, which consists of an integrated team of experienced lawyers from multiple disciplines, pulling primarily from the corporate and commercial real estate groups.

"The firm's timber lawyers represent investors, owners and managers in timber transactions involving millions of acres of timberland throughout the U.S., South America, Europe and Africa," said Managing Partner Robert Saudek. "This type of expansion validates our belief that a smart growth strategy in a tight market is the right approach."

With the additions, Morris, Manning & Martin expands its considerable practices in the areas of real estate capital markets, REIT representation, fund formation and management, domestic and international tax, corporate representation and commercial real estate.

Partner C. Glenn Dunaway will lead the firm's core timberland corporate practice, while Stephen B. Schrock will lead the firm's core timberland real estate practice. Mr. Dunaway also has substantial experience with non-timber related real estate transactions, real estate fund formation and management as well as pension fund investments. Mr. Schrock has extensive experience in all facets of commercial real estate.

The Timberland Investments and Forest Products Practice brings tremendous experience in the areas of:

--  Capturing the tax advantages of timber investments, depletion issues,
    planning for exempt and foreign investors, "pass through" vehicles,
    deferral opportunities and various timber taxation operational issues
    ranging from the structuring of long-term supply agreements to the tax
    implications caused by the loss of mature timber from natural causes and
    infestation.
--  Advising clients with respect to acquisitions, sales, exchanges, joint
    ventures, complex cutting contracts and management agreements, leases of
    timber properties, acquisition of foreign timber rights, traditional
    mortgage financings, specialized installment note financings, private and
    public securitizations, debt financings and sale/leasebacks.
--  Advising clients as to the formation and operation of international
    timberland investment funds and representing institutional (including REITS
    and pension funds) and high net worth individual investors with respect to
    all phases of the formation and operation of international timberland
    investment funds and other such domestic and foreign timberland
    investments.
--  Timber Investment Management Organization (TIMO) representation
--  International tax planning for cross-border timberland transactions
    

Key facts about the firm:

--  Morris, Manning & Martin has one of the leading Real Estate Capital
    Markets (RECM) practices in the U.S., regularly assisting clients in
    raising billions of dollars for real estate ventures.
--  The Timberland Investments and Forest Products Practice will also
    bolster the firm's Green Industry and Energy practices, as many timber
    companies and TIMOs are actively seeking opportunities in the carbon credit
    and biofuel markets.
--  The firm recently opened offices in Beijing, China and Taipei, Taiwan.
    

About Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP

Morris, Manning & Martin (www.mmmlaw.com) is a full-service commercial law firm representing clients throughout the United States. Our mission is to be the firm of choice for clients seeking the most creative, comprehensive, and effective legal services available. Our legal solutions are delivered by industry-focused, diverse, involved lawyers who are dedicated to our clients' success, whether in a transaction, in court, or in the everyday course of business.

Morris, Manning & Martin enjoys national prominence for its healthcare, intellectual property, capital markets, environmental, green industry, insurance, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, and technology practices. The firm has offices in Atlanta, Savannah, Raleigh-Durham, Taipei, Beijing, and Washington, D.C.

Contact Information: Media Contact: Terri Thornton Thornton Communications (404) 932-4347