Squire Sanders Completes Combination With Hammonds

New Top-25 Legal Practice Puts Premium on Cost-Effective Global Counsel

WASHINGTON, January 1, 2011 - Squire, Sanders & Dempsey has completed its combination with Hammonds
LLP, launching a cost-effective global legal practice of approximately 1,275
lawyers working in 37 offices throughout the world.

"This combination, which dramatically expands our global practice,
ensures that Squire Sanders will keep stride with our clients, who we know
need to stay a step ahead to take full advantage of opportunities and remain
competitive in this era of rapid economic change," said James J. Maiwurm,
Squire Sanders chair and global chief executive officer.

The combination talks between Squire Sanders and Hammonds were announced
in August, and partners from each legacy firm overwhelmingly approved the
combination in November.

Squire Sanders will be among the top 25 legal practices based on The
American Lawyer's "2010 Global 100" and among the 15 largest US-based legal
practices based on The National Law Journal's "NLJ 250."

The addition of legacy Hammonds lawyers gives Squire Sanders enhanced
capability in all key practices relevant to complex and cross-border
transactions and dispute resolution. Practices that double in strength
include corporate transactions, finance and governance; labor and employment;
litigation; and restructuring and insolvency. Other expanded practices
include environmental, safety and health; EU regulatory; intellectual
property; pensions; real estate; and taxation and benefits. Squire Sanders
also adds significant industry experience in sectors such as banking and
financial services, chemicals, energy and utilities, information technology,
maritime, media and advertising, and sports and entertainment.

Squire Sanders' new global board includes eight legacy Squire Sanders
partners and five legacy Hammonds partners, including former Hammonds
Managing Partner Peter Crossley, who now is Squire Sanders' managing partner
for Europe.

The practice will be known as Squire, Sanders & Dempsey in most markets
around the globe and as Squire Sanders Hammonds in nine legacy Hammonds
markets.

"We believe this combination is a catalyst for lasting positive change
for us and for the clients we serve. We are off to a very strong start, in
terms of both providing clients with expanded service in more key business
markets and working as a united practice," added Crossley.

"This is a great day for Squire Sanders, and we look forward to teaming
with our new colleagues to support our clients with consistently innovative
and cost-effective legal counsel," Maiwurm said.

About Squire Sanders - Founded in 1890, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey has
lawyers in 37 offices and 17 countries around the world and now includes the
nearly 500 lawyers from leading UK legal practice Hammonds. With one of the
strongest integrated global platforms and our longstanding "one-firm firm"
philosophy, Squire Sanders provides seamless legal counsel worldwide.

Squire, Sanders & Dempsey refers to an international legal practice which
operates worldwide through a number of separate legal entities. Please visit
www.ssd.com for more information.

    Contact:
    Drez Jennings
    Squire, Sanders & Dempsey (US) LLP
    +1-216-802-7301
    drez.jennings@ssd.com

    Nicola Woodmass
    Squire, Sanders & Dempsey (UK) LLP
    +44-0-121-222-3690
    nicola.woodmass@ssd.com

Drez Jennings, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey (US) LLP, +1-216-802-7301, drez.jennings at ssd.com; or Nicola Woodmass, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey (UK) LLP, +44-0-121-222-3690, nicola.woodmass at ssd.com