ABA Presidential Candidate Robert Grey Joins Hunton & Williams as Partner.

Business Editors

RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 2002

Hunton & Williams today announced that Robert J. Grey, Jr. has joined the law firm as a partner on the Regulated Industries and Government Relations Team.

Mr. Grey will practice out of the firm's Richmond and Washington, DC offices. He will focus on counseling businesses with matters before elected and appointed government officials and representing trade associations and corporate interests in the legislative arena. In addition, he will continue with his mediation practice involving corporate governance, labor and employment, significant litigation and public policy disputes.

"We are pleased to have Robert Grey at Hunton & Williams," said Thurston Moore, Managing Partner. "He enhances the depth of experience in administrative litigation and public affairs that has defined our firm. Additionally, his remarkable leadership in the legal profession carries on the Hunton & Williams legacy established by partner and ABA President Justice Lewis F. Powell, Jr."

In 1998, Mr. Grey became the first African-American Chair of the American Bar Association's policy-making body, the House of Delegates. He has declared his intention to seek the ABA's nomination for president in 2004, and, if elected, will become the Association's second African-American president, following former Detroit Mayor and Michigan Supreme Court Justice Dennis Archer.

"Robert has long been a respected leader within the ABA, most recently chairing the Committee on Research About the Future of the Legal Profession," noted Mr. Archer. "His contributions to the ABA will reinforce Hunton & Williams' exemplary involvement in public service, which was recognized in 1999 when it won the prestigious ABA Pro Bono Publico Award."

Mr. Grey's career of service to the ABA will be strengthened by his residency in the firm's DC office. In a speech delivered at the ABA annual meeting in Washington, DC this August to the Nominating Committee for the ABA Presidency, Mr. Grey stated, "Having visible leadership in Washington, DC will enhance the interaction between our government and the legal profession's pre-eminent thinkers. Recent events -- ranging from the screening of federal judicial nominees to the debate between civil liberties and national security -- highlight the importance of this relationship. In addition, such a dialogue is central to the Association's advancement of its legislative initiatives."

Mr. Grey identified several major challenges facing the legal profession:

-- Globalization of the Practice of Law: Business expansion around the world poses an assortment of new issues for lawyers serving global clients. Among these are predictable lack of uniformity in laws across nations, multi-disciplinary practice, cultural and political differences that impact legal matters and much more.

-- Pro Bono Work: Despite strong efforts by the legal profession, America's poor continue to have inadequate access to systems of civil justice and dispute resolution. The legal community needs to work to reverse the downward trend of average pro bono hours per lawyer and to find viable solutions to this problem.

-- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): As arbitration and mediation become more commonplace, it becomes increasingly important for the legal profession to critically examine the essential components of effective ADR and to educate government leaders and citizens about how and when it is appropriate.

-- Diversity: The demographics of the legal profession, including ethnic and gender make-up, influence the ability of people to gain access to legal services. Thus, according to Mr. Grey, it is particularly troublesome that minorities constitute less than three percent of law firm partners in most cities. Increasing diversity within the profession must continue to be a top goal for the ABA moving forward.

"I chose to join Hunton & Williams because of its strong tradition as a leader in the legal community," explained Mr. Grey. "Hunton ranked in the Top Ten of the AmLaw 100's Pro Bono listing; they have a leading international arbitration and dispute resolution practice; and, with 7.5% of their partnership representing minority groups, they are well ahead of their peers in creating a diversified community."

"Robert's vast experience and national contacts will be critical assets to our clients," said Jim Miller, head of the firm's Government Relations Team. "We are very fortunate to have him as part of our lobbying group."

Mr. Grey began his career in the nation's capitol in 1976 with the National Labor Relations Board. He then taught at Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Business, before moving to Richmond to practice law in 1978. He most recently was a partner with LeClair Ryan in Richmond.

Mr. Grey received his undergraduate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1973 and his J.D. from Washington & Lee in 1976. He is admitted to the Virginia State Bar and his application to practice is pending with the DC Bar.

Hunton & Williams provides legal services to corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals as well as a broad array of other entities. Since its establishment in 1901, Hunton & Williams has grown to over 850 attorneys serving clients in 80 countries from 17 offices around the world. While Hunton & Williams' practice has a particular emphasis on corporate transactions, corporate and structured finance, energy and environmental law, governmental relations and commercial litigation, the firm's expertise extends to more than 50 separate practice areas.