Anti-Defamation League Lauds Andrew Guilford; Former State Bar President Honored With 2002 Jurisprudence Award.

Business Editors/Legal Writers

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 24, 2002

The Orange County/Long Beach regional chapter of the Anti-Defamation League has announced it will present Andrew Guilford with its 2002 Jurisprudence Award. Guilford, a partner in Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton's Business Trial Practice group in Orange County, served as President of the State Bar of California during the 1999-2000 term.

"We need the good work of the Anti-Defamation League now, more than ever," commented Guilford. "I am very proud to be selected for this honor, and I urge people from all walks of life to join with the ADL in defending our democratic ideals."

Guilford is being recognized for his pro bono contributions and his exemplary contributions to the legal profession and community, particularly relating to diversity, tolerance, and pro bono legal services for indigents. This award is the latest honor for Guilford, who was selected by the 2001 Orange County Trial Lawyers Association as Orange County Business Trial Lawyer of the Year. In September 2001, he was selected as one of California's 100 Most Influential Lawyers by the Daily Journal for the second time in his career. A former President of the Orange County Bar Association, Guilford's trial practice includes business issues relating to technology, unfair competition, professional liability, Constitutional rights, real estate, and finance.

This award is the third recent honor recognizing Sheppard Mullin lawyers for their public service achievements. The San Diego County Bar Association has named Sheppard Mullin the recipient of its Law Firm of the Year Award. Sheppard Mullin is the first-ever recipient of the award, one of the 2002 Public Service Awards to be presented by the SDBCA on May 3. In addition, San Francisco partner Joseph Petrillo will be honored by the Treasure Island Homeless Development Initiative Thursday night, April 25. On TIHDI's behalf, San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown will honor Petrillo "for his extraordinary dedication and commitment to building a new San Francisco neighborhood from the ground up."

The Anti-Defamation League is one of the oldest and largest civil rights/human relations organizations in the nation. The ADL is dedicated to fighting anti-Semitism, racism, prejudice, and bigotry of all kinds while defending democratic ideals and safeguarding civil rights. Since 1993, the Orange County/Long Beach Region of the ADL has recognized leaders within the legal community for exemplary contributions to their profession. Attorneys are chosen each year -- one from the corporate ranks and one from the private sector -- to recognize their outstanding civic activities and their continued dedication to the mission of the ADL.

The ADL's gala awards dinner will take place Thursday night, April 25, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Beach. Sports agent Leigh Steinberg will be honored with the private sector Jurisprudence Award.

Sheppard Mullin has more than 330 attorneys among its seven offices in Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, Orange County, Del Mar Heights, San Diego, San Francisco and Santa Barbara. The full-service firm provides counsel in Corporate, Trial Practice, Finance, Bankruptcy, Labor and Employment, Intellectual Property, Real Estate, Land Use, Environmental, Construction, Tax, Employee Benefits, Trusts & Estates, Antitrust & Trade Regulation, Government Contracts, and Business Crimes. The firm is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2002.