Nixon Peabody is Principal Sponsor of National Diversity Conference; Event is Considered One of the Most Significant Diversity Conferences in the Nation and Includes Special Focus on Diversity in the Legal Profession

Business Wire, May 2, 2006

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Nixon Peabody LLP, one of the largest multi-practice law firms in the United States, is principal sponsor of the 2006 Diversity Conference, widely considered the most significant diversity conference in the nation. Hosted by the Workforce Diversity Network, this year's conference, "The Case for Diversity: It's Everybody's Business" runs May 22 to May 24 in Rochester, NY, and is expected to draw hundreds of business leaders from around the nation. The three-day conference will include an exclusive, half day legal symposium devoted specifically to: "Diversity - the New Imperative: How In-house Counsel and Law Firms Can Meet the Challenge." E[acute accent]Nixon Peabody's sponsorship of the diversity conference comes on the heels of the firm being named one of the "100 Best Companies To Work For(R)" by FORTUNE magazine. As part of this recognition, the firm received "high marks" for its diversity. E[acute accent]The conference offers an extensive agenda covering a range of issues from using generational diversity to attract and retain the best talent to building an inclusive global organization. The Legal Symposium includes sessions on law firm best practices as well as an examination of the challenges facing law firms today. Included among the speakers are:

E[acute accent]--Darryl Henderson, an accomplished human resources executive who has designed and implemented a diversity initiative covering more than 160,000 employees

E[acute accent]--Cathy Bao Bean, an author with experience in gaining cultural perspective through different sets of circumstances and determining what cultural shape you are in

E[acute accent]--Steve Robbins, Ph.D., a national resource on diversity, inclusion and cultural competence and consultant to businesses, educational institutions and not-for-profits

E[acute accent]Legal Symposium speakers:

E[acute accent]--Taswell Papier, 2006 World Lawyer of the Year and Partner with Sonnenberg Hoffmann Galombik of South Africa, who has been recognized for his efforts in providing the poor with free access to justice and has spent large parts of his career fighting apartheid and its legacy.

E[acute accent]--The Honorable Mr. Justice Michael H. Tulloch, Superior Court of Justice of Canada, who has participated in numerous commissions including reviews on Civilian Oversight on Policing, Legal Aid Plan, and the Criminal Code Review

E[acute accent]--Lauren Stiller Rikleen of Boston law firm, Bowditch and Dewey, who has been widely recognized for advancing women's success in a male-dominated legal field and for authoring the newly released book, "Ending the Gauntlet: Removing Law Firm Barriers to Women's Success."

E[acute accent]--Carl Cooper, Chief Diversity Officer of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham, who has been widely recognized as one of the first management-committee level chief diversity officers at a major law firm.

E[acute accent]Various attorneys and staff from Nixon Peabody will also discuss how the firm's commitment to diversity and inclusion was a key factor in its selection by FORTUNE magazine as one of the "100 Best Companies To Work For(R)." E[acute accent]The 2006 Diversity Conference is the sixth and largest conference presented by the Workforce Diversity Network, which has organized some of the nation's most well-attended workforce diversity conferences. More than 2,500 people representing organizations from across the country have attended previous conferences. For more information on the 2006 Diversity Conference, visit www.workforcediversitynetwork.com or refer to the attached file.

E[acute accent]About The Workforce Diversity Network

E[acute accent]The Workforce Diversity Network (WDN) is the nation's leading network of professionals and organizations dedicated to professional development, understanding, promotion and management of diversity as an essential part of business success. Founded in 2005, the WDN was built upon the unique and successful model of the Greater Rochester Diversity Council, which has presented some of the nation's largest-attended conferences on workforce diversity. Its mission is to be a catalyst to enhance professional development, understanding, promotion and management of diversity as an essential part of business success.

E[acute accent]About Nixon Peabody LLP

E[acute accent]Nixon Peabody LLP is one of the largest law firms in the United States with approximately 600 attorneys collaborating across 15 major practice areas in 16 office locations, including Boston, New York, Rochester, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. The firm's size, diversity and advanced technological resources enable it to offer comprehensive legal services to individuals and organizations of all sizes in local, state, national and international matters. Nixon Peabody has been recognized by FORTUNE(R) magazine as a "100 Best Companies To Work For(R)" in 2006.