London (23-March-2009) - The London office of international law firm Faegre & Benson LLP announces three major additions with the appointment of Paul Finlan and Gary Laitner who both joined the firm's corporate team as partners on 23 March and the appointment of Linda Crow who joins the firm's corporate team on 30 March as special counsel. All three join Faegre & Benson from the London office of US law firm Crowell & Moring.

The new appointments further demonstrate Faegre & Benson's continued expansion strategy in its core areas of practice.

Paul has extensive cross-border merger and acquisition experience and advises on corporate finance transactions including acquisitions, disposals and joint ventures. He frequently represents clients in the UK, US, Russia and Germany. Gary has considerable experience in cross-border merger and acquisition work both domestically and internationally. Linda works across all types of domestic and cross-border corporate finance transactions as well as advising company directors on corporate recovery. Linda's considerable experience in the food and beverage sector will compliment Faegre & Benson's strong food, agriculture and biofuels industry expertise.

Commenting on the three new appointments, Thomas G. Morgan, Chairman of Faegre & Benson's management committee, said:

"We are delighted to announce these new additions. Paul, Gary and Linda are tremendous lawyers, and are key additions to our London office as we continue to execute our integrated, practice-area focused strategy. Building on the appointments of other first-rate lawyers we have already made in the London office this year, we are now even better positioned to serve our clients' UK and international legal needs. We welcome Paul, Gary and Linda to the Faegre & Benson family."

In the last two months Scott Leonard-Morgan, formerly at Heller Ehrman, joined the Faegre & Benson corporate practice in London, while Richard Curtin and Sarah McLennan both joined the firm's finance and restructuring practice from Hextalls LLP. John Duffy, formerly at DLA Piper, also recently joined the firm's real estate practice.

Paul commented on the appointments:

"Faegre & Benson is an ideal fit for Gary, Linda and me, both in terms of the firm's culture, strong international client-base and its corporate expertise. We look forward to joining the team and to continuing to grow its profile domestically and internationally."