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Paul, Weiss Enhances Corporate Practice with Addition of Leading Transactional Partners

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP announced today that six prominent transactional lawyers have joined the firm as partners. Gregory A. Ezring, Brad J. Finkelstein, Brad R. Okun, John M. Scott, Monica K. Thurmond and Mark B. Wlazlo have joined Paul, Weiss, focusing on capital markets, finance, mergers and acquisitions, and tax. All will be resident in the firm's New York office. Paul, Weiss also announced that transactional lawyer Brian P. Finnegan has joined the firm as counsel.

"We are excited to welcome these talented lawyers whose practices complement and enhance our firm's transactional capabilities," said Brad S. Karp, chair of Paul, Weiss. "They have preeminent reputations in the marketplace, and their substantial experience advising leading private equity funds and their portfolio companies, as well as public and private companies, will be an asset to the firm."

"These new lawyers will greatly benefit our clients, which have come to expect cutting-edge and exceptional corporate work from our firm," said Robert B. Schumer, chair of Paul, Weiss's Corporate Department. "Their arrival will reinforce and strengthen our transactional capabilities and continue the growth trajectory of our transactional practices."

Gregory A. Ezring joins Paul, Weiss's Finance and Securities Groups. Mr. Ezring's practice focuses on the representation of private equity funds and corporations in leveraged finance transactions and public debt and equity transactions, as well as underwriters in public and private high-yield debt and equity securities offerings. Mr. Ezring was co-leader of the corporate finance/capital markets group in O'Melveny & Myers LLP's Transactions Department. Mr. Ezring received a B.S. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1985 and a J.D. from New York University School of Law in 1988.

Brad J. Finkelstein joins Paul, Weiss's Finance Group. His practice focuses on private equity-related corporate finance transactions, principally in connection with leveraged buyouts. Mr. Finkelstein represents private equity megafunds and their portfolio companies in first and second lien senior secured debt financings, high yield bridge financings, and private mezzanine debt and preferred stock financings. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School of Business, in 1991 and his J.D. from Columbia University Law School in 1997, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone scholar.

Brad R. Okun joins Paul, Weiss's Tax Department. Formerly the managing partner of O'Melveny's New York office, Mr. Okun focuses on the complex tax law aspects of mergers and acquisitions, restructurings and corporate finance. Mr. Okun received a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1982, summa cum laude, and a J.D. from Harvard University in 1985, cum laude.

John M. Scott joins Paul, Weiss's Mergers & Acquisitions Group. Mr. Scott focuses primarily on M&A transactions for private equity megafunds and their portfolio companies and strategic investors. Mr. Scott received a B.A. from New York University in 1982, and a J.D. from Georgetown University in 1987, cum laude.

Monica K. Thurmond joins Paul, Weiss's Capital Markets & Securities Group. Ms. Thurmond represents issuers in capital markets and leveraged finance transactions, including IPOs and high yield debt offerings. She has represented both issuers and investment banking firms in a variety of public and private equity and debt securities offerings, including initial public offerings, as well as high yield and convertible debt offerings. Ms. Thurmond received her B.A. from the University of Virginia in 1992 and is a 1996 graduate of William & Mary Law School, where she was Order of the Coif and a member of the Law Review.

Mark B. Wlazlo joins Paul, Weiss's Finance Group. Mr. Wlazlo represents private equity megafunds and their portfolio companies in leveraged finance transactions. He earned his B.S. from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, magna cum laude, and his J.D., magna cum laude, from New York University in 2002, where he was Order of the Coif, a Pomeroy Scholar and a Butler Scholar.

Brian P. Finnegan joins Paul, Weiss's M&A Group. Mr. Finnegan represents private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in a wide variety of transactions. He earned his B.A. from American University, his M.B.A. from National University and his J.D. from George Washington University.

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