Sheppard Mullin Del Mar Heights Office Moves to Accommodate Influx of New Attorneys

SAN DIEGO, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- October 30, 2006 -- The Del Mar Heights office of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP has moved, after five years at a previous Del Mar Heights address, to a new location at 12275 El Camino Real which will enhance the firm's ability to serve the needs of northern San Diego County clients. This full service office is home to more than 45 attorneys, with room for further growth and expansion.

"We are a growing office and continue to add attorneys, especially in the IP and Corporate practice groups. Our new location demonstrates the firm's long-term commitment to North County San Diego, which is directly related to the region's strength as Southern California's premier technology corridor," said Dick Kintz, managing partner of the Del Mar Heights office.

Guy Halgren, managing partner of the firm, commented, "We are exceptionally pleased by the growth of our office, which reflects the flourishing local economy. In addition to our downtown San Diego office, the new location in Del Mar Heights will boost the firm's presence in the area and continue to be a resource for clients."

The new office, at 12275 El Camino Real, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92130, was established in part to accommodate the expanding Del Mar IP practice that Sheppard Mullin has strategically built over the last two years, as well as the office's strong Corporate practice. Additions to the office's IP practice, this year alone, include: Mauricio Flores from McDermott, Will & Emery in Orange County, David Heisey from Luce Forward in San Diego, Daniel Yannuzzi from Morrison & Foerster in San Diego and Michael Eisenberg from Fulwider Patton in Los Angeles. As a member of the Corporate practice group, Tony Eppert joined the Del Mar office last month as head of the firmwide Executive Compensation practice. Eppert joined the firm from Morrison & Foerster in San Diego.

About Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is a full service AmLaw 100 firm with more than 480 attorneys in nine offices located throughout California and in New York and Washington, D.C. The firm's California offices are located in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Century City, Orange County, Del Mar Heights and San Diego. Sheppard Mullin provides legal expertise and counsel to U.S. and international clients in a wide range of practice areas, including Antitrust, Corporate and Securities; Entertainment, Media and Communications; Finance and Bankruptcy; Government Contracts; Intellectual Property; Labor and Employment; Litigation; Real Estate/Land Use; Tax/Employee Benefits/Trusts & Estates; and White Collar Defense. The firm was founded in 1927. For more information, please visit www.sheppardmullin.com.

Contact Information: CONTACT: Dick Kintz (858) 720-8919 Ralph Richardson (213) 617-5542