Drinker Biddle & Reath adds Sylvan M. Cohen and Robert Freedman, formerly of Cohen, Shapiro, Polisher, Shiekman & Cohen.

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 9, 1995--The Philadelphia law firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath announced today that two distinguished Philadelphia lawyers, formerly associated with Cohen, Shapiro, Polisher, Shiekman & Cohen, will join its practice in early November.

The firm's two new colleagues are Sylvan M. Cohen, former chairman of Cohen Shapiro, and Robert Freedman, former chairman of Cohen Shapiro's Real Estate Department.

Discussions with Messrs. Cohen and Freedman finalized at the end of last week with their decision to join Drinker. These new additions are being reported on the heels of Drinker's recent announcement that it has expanded its environmental and corporate practices with the addition of 21 lawyers, all of whom were formerly associated with Cohen Shapiro.

Sylvan Cohen, former chairman and one of the founders of Cohen Shapiro, is a highly experienced real estate lawyer as well as a prominent member of the Philadelphia business community. His career has been dedicated to keeping pace with the needs of his clients, as tax and other legislation affects the way they do business.

Over the years, he has held numerous notable positions in Philadelphia business and legal circles, including serving as past president and current trustee of the International Council of Shopping Centers ("ICSC").

He was past president of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT") and serves currently as chairman and chief executive officer of the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust ("PREIT"), one of the oldest and best performing REITs in the country.

Cohen is a director of FPA Corp., a trustee of EQK Realty Investors I, and a trustee of Arbor Property Trust. He is also a past chairman of the Philadelphia Bar Association's Board of Governors, and served as chairman of numerous Bar Association committees.

Cohen's civic contribution to Philadelphia deserves special recognition. A long-time supporter of the Delaware Valley, Cohen is a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees of the Planned Giving and Endowment Committee of the United Way and has chaired that committee for many years.

He is a former president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and has served as director of numerous civic, communal and philanthropic institutions. Cohen has dedicated much of his time to his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania, and serves as a member of the Board of Overseers of the Law School.

He has received many professional recognition awards throughout his career, including the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School Real Estate Center Achievement Award. Commenting on his recent decision to join Drinker, Sylvan Cohen said: "I am honored to join the distinguished firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath and look forward to many years of affiliation."

Robert Freedman, former chairman of the Real Estate Department at Cohen Shapiro, is also an experienced real estate lawyer. Freedman has been involved in scores of major commercial real estate transactions in the United States for developers, retailers, lenders, REITs, and investors.

His professional activities include serving as an associate member of NAREIT and a member of ICSC as well as a trustee of PREIT, which he has represented since its organization in 1960. Also a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Freedman has been a frequent lecturer on legal studies at the Wharton School's Graduate Division.

Active in the Jewish community, Freedman served as a trustee of the National Museum of American Jewish History, and a Friend of the Yivo Institute for Jewish Research, a scholarly institution in New York. He has also served on numerous committees and councils serving the real estate community.

Commenting on these recent additions to the firm, Drinker Chairman Morgan R. Jones said: "We are honored that these distinguished lawyers have decided to join our firm. We share a strong commitment to our clients and to the Philadelphia area, and they bring a wealth of experience to the firm. We look forward to a long working relationship with these fine gentlemen."

With the addition of Messrs. Cohen and Freedman as well as the recent expansion of the environmental and corporate practices, the firm now has over 225 attorneys, strengthening its position as one of the largest law firms in Philadelphia. The firm has a full-service legal practice with its headquarters in Philadelphia, and offices in Princeton, N.J., Berwyn, Pa. and Washington, D.C.

CONTACT: Drinker Biddle & Reath, Philadelphia

Morgan R. Jones, 215/988-2792