Impeachment Counsel and Prominent Colleagues to Join Manatt, Phelps & Phillips; Abbe Lowell, Steve Ryan Move To California-Based Firm.

WASHINGTON, D.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 11, 1999--

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP Wednesday announced the addition of Abbe D. Lowell, Stephen M. Ryan, and a group of attorneys from Washington, D.C.'s Brand, Lowell & Ryan, PC as part of the firm's continuing growth in 1999.

Lowell, co-founder and managing partner of Brand, Lowell & Ryan, has a well-recognized national and international white-collar crime and complex civil case litigation and trial practice, as well as a high-profile government investigation practice. He most recently served as Chief Minority Investigative Counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives during the impeachment proceedings of President Bill Clinton where he addressed the Judiciary Committee in public sessions on three separate occasions.

During the past ten years, Lowell has successfully tried criminal and civil cases in federal and state courts across the United States, has argued appeals in federal circuits, state courts, and the United States Supreme Court, and has represented elected officials before the Federal Election Commission, as well as the House and Senate ethics committees.

In his career, Lowell also has served as Assistant to the U.S. Attorney General, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, and Special Counselor to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Firm Chairman and Founder Charles T. Manatt said: "Abbe Lowell has a depth of experience, record of success, and reputation as one of the very best trial attorneys in the country. With his addition to the outstanding attorneys in the firm, we will continue to provide clients with counsel that is second to none."

Steve Ryan's practice is on the cutting edge of U.S. high technology (information, environment, and manufacturing) companies as their interests intersect with federal, state, and foreign governments. Ryan has developed a national reputation for avoiding or solving client problems in the boardroom, the courtroom, or the legislative committee hearing room.

Prior to joining Brand, Lowell & Ryan in 1990, Ryan served as General Counsel to the Senate Government Affairs Committee under the leadership of Senator John Glenn. His government service also includes his role as Counsel to the President's Commission on Organized Crime and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.

Manatt D.C. Office Managing Partner June DeHart said: "Steve Ryan defines the state of the art attorney for guiding emerging information and other companies through the obstacles of government and competition."

Lowell said of the move, "Manatt, Phelps & Phillips has established itself as one of the premier law firms in the country. The quality and diversity of clients and practices areas at Manatt, as well its locations, innovative management and growth offer the ideal match for all of us."

Also joining the firm from Brand, Lowell & Ryan are Pamela J. Marple, a senior litigator, who served as Chief Counsel to the Minority on the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee and as Trial Attorney in the Federal Programs Branch of the Department of Justice's Civil Division; Holly A. Roth, a government practice attorney, formerly with Unisys; Barbara Timmer, a government practice attorney, who was General Counsel to the House Banking Committee; and other associate and support staff.

These additions bring the number of professionals in the Washington office to 50. Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP is a national law firm with more than 200 professionals in principal offices in Los Angeles, Palo Alto and Sacramento, Calif., Washington, D.C., Nashville, and affiliate offices in Mexico.