Paul Hastings Expands Capital Markets and M+A Practice With Addition Of Basil Hwang To Hong Kong Office

October 17, 2006

Paul Hastings Expands Capital Markets and M+A Practice With Addition Of Basil Hwang To Hong Kong Office

Hong Kong (October 17, 2006) - Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP (Paul Hastings), a leading international law firm, is pleased to announce that Basil Hwang, previously with the Hong Kong office of O'Melveny & Meyers LLP, has joined the firm's Corporate Department as partner, resident in the Hong Kong office. Basil's practice focuses on mergers & acquisitions, private equity transactions, and securities offerings.

"Paul Hastings has rapidly established a leading M&A and capital markets practice in Asia. Over the last few months we have added Basil and a number of other high profile attorneys who bring added depth to our market- leading practice," said Neil Torpey, Hong Kong Office Chair. "Basil's addition is another step in our strategy to further expand our capital markets, M+A and private equity business in the region, which is already known for handling the market's most complex transactions. "He will be an invaluable asset to the Hong Kong corporate team."

Basil has advised investment fund and company clients on dozens of private equity transactions and acquisitions in Greater China, including the 120 million acquisition of 3721.com by Yahoo!Inc. He has also advised clients on numerous high-profile securities offerings, including Nasdaq, Hong Kong and Singapore listings; Rule 144A equity and debt offerings; and listed Eurobond offerings. His experience in this area includes representing Shanda Interactive Entertainment in its highly successful Nasdaq IPO.

Basil received his law degree, with honors, from the National University of Singapore. He is admitted as an advocate and solicitor in Singapore, as a solicitor in England and Wales and as a solicitor Hong Kong.

Paul Hastings Corporate Department: Teams of Paul Hastings' corporate attorneys provide clients with the sophisticated, cross-border legal and business expertise they need to acquire, finance and operate companies. The firm's Securities and Capital Markets, M&A, Lending, Project Finance, Private Equity, Investment Management and Securitization practices are nationally and internationally ranked. Paul Hastings' attorneys are experienced in every aspect of modern transactional practice in virtually every industry and service sector. Clients include major financial institutions as well as domestic and international public and private companies.

Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker LLP, founded in 1951, is a leading international law firm with over 1,100 attorneys in 17 offices. The firm serves a diverse client base including many of the top financial institutions and Fortune 500 companies, supports clients in all of their legal needs and offers deep capabilities in Banking and Finance, Capital Markets, Corporate/M+A, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Intellectual Property, Project Finance, Investment Management, Real Estate, Labor and Employment and Tax Advisory Services. For additional information, please visit our website at www.paulhastings.com..