DLA Piper Forms Strategic Alliance with Former LaSalle Bank Chairman Norman Bobins

Business Wire, Feb 14, 2008

Chicago Banking Icon to Support Growth and Development of DLA Piper's Banking and Financial Services Practice

CHICAGO -- DLA Piper announced today that it has formed a strategic alliance with former LaSalle Bank Chairman Norman R. Bobins, who will help lead the expansion of the firm's presence in the banking and financial services industry.

Bobins, who retired in December after a 40-year banking career, is chairman emeritus of LaSalle Bank Corporation, and previously served as chairman, president and chief executive officer of LaSalle Bank and head of ABN AMRO's North American businesses.

As a consultant to DLA Piper, Bobins will provide strategic counsel surrounding the development and expansion of the firm's Banking and Financial Services practice, while also serving as a resource to the firm's existing clients. Bobins has formed Norman Bobins Consultants, LLC, to provide consulting services to DLA Piper and other organizations focused on the banking and financial services industries.

"DLA Piper has relationships with some of the largest financial institutions in the world, and the arrival of a Chicago business icon not only complements our existing Banking and Financial Services practice in the U.S., but the growth of our global Corporate and Finance practice as well," said Lee I. Miller, joint chief executive officer for DLA Piper.

"We are excited to welcome one of the financial services industry's premier executives to the firm," added John T. Cusack, global co-chair of DLA Piper's Finance Practice. "Norman brings an unrivaled network and knowledge of the industry, which will be important assets as we expand and deepen our services in this area."

"Following my recent retirement, I've been exploring a number of opportunities to leverage my experience in the financial services industry in a meaningful way," Bobins explained. "When my long-time friend from DLA Piper, David Glickstein, approached me with an opportunity to consult with the firm, I quickly recognized that its platform and strategy for growth in the financial and corporate sectors provided an attractive match with my background and experience."

A Banking and Financial Services Leader

DLA Piper's Banking and Financial Services practice group regularly represents a diverse array of financial organizations ranging from community institutions to global banking giants.

With over 140 lawyers in the U.S. who have direct experience in financial services matters, the Banking and Financial Services practice is fully integrated with other practices focused on related areas of interest to sophisticated banking companies, including capital markets, fund formations, securities law, tax, litigation, financial restructuring and bankruptcy, labor, and government affairs. The group also draws on the collective experience of more than 3,600 lawyers in the firm's 64 offices worldwide.

About Norman Bobins

During his more than 25 years of service at LaSalle Bank, Bobins' leadership helped grow LaSalle's total assets to approximately $217 billion prior to its recent and historic sale to Bank of America. Beyond his storied career at LaSalle, Bobins remains actively involved in the Chicago business community. His corporate involvement includes the board of directors for Global Hyatt Corporation, Nicor, Inc., Metal Management, Inc., and AAR, Corp., as well as a directorship at RREEF America REIT II, Inc. He is also non-executive chairman of the board for Transco, Inc.

Active in an array of civic organizations, Bobins currently serves on the Board of Education for the City of Chicago, where he is currently serving his fourth term. He is also a member of the board of trustees for WTTW Communications, Inc., The Field Museum, and The Art Institute of Chicago, and is Chairman Emeritus of the Illinois Business Roundtable. Bobins is also the former chairman of the board of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.

Bobins earned his BS from the University of Wisconsin in 1964 and his MBA from the University of Chicago in 1967.

About DLA Piper (www.dlapiper.com)

DLA Piper has 3,600 lawyers in 25 countries and 64 offices throughout the U.S., U.K., Continental Europe, Middle East and Asia. It has leading practices in corporate, finance, human resources, litigation, real estate, regulatory and legislative, tax, and technology, media and communications. Former Senate Majority Leader George J. Mitchell is chairman of DLA Piper. In certain jurisdictions, this information may be considered attorney advertising.