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Morris, Manning & Martin and Fleury Malheiros, Gasparini, De Cresci E Nogueira De Lima Form Strategic Alliance in Brazil, MM

03.25.2010

Atlanta-based law firm Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP (MMM) and São Paulo- based law firm Fleury Malheiros, Gasparini, De Cresci e Nogueira de Lima Advogados (FGCN) announced today that they have formed a strategic alliance by entering into a cooperative agreement. The alliance is the result of the existing synergies between the firms in the timberland investment area. It is anticipated, however, that expansion opportunities for other practice areas exist, most notably for real estate, corporate, fund and tax work.

This alliance will allow FGCN and MMM lawyers to collaborate closely to serve clients around the globe. FGCN will remain an independent firm, but will work closely with MMM to advise U.S. companies conducting business in Brazil, as well as Brazilian companies looking to expand or do business abroad. The cooperative agreement gives MMM a key ally in one of the world’s most dynamic and growing economic markets. MMM is the first major Atlanta law firm to take advantage of this market for their clients.

“Allying with FGCN is an important step in our global strategy,” said Louise Wells, Managing Partner of MMM. “We have entered the age of a true global economy. Our firm, anticipating the needs of our clients now and in the years to come, is committed to ensuring we are at the forefront of strategies for growth for our clients and the firm. We are very excited about this alliance, which we believe provides the firm with a strong South American platform to represent U.S. and global companies in this region of the world and further opens the door to new business opportunities for our clients.”

MMM’s alliance with FGCN gives a particular advantage to the firm’s Timberland Investments and Forest Products Practice, which is one of the largest and most experienced practices of its type in the world. As U.S. domestic and international timberland investors and owners expand their geographic investment horizons, MMM’s lawyers are regularly called upon by clients to assist them with investments in Brazil. Led by partners Glenn Dunaway and Stephen Schrock, MMM’s Timberland Investments and Forest Products Practice has represented their clients in nearly $1 billion of fund formation and transactional deals in the U.S., Brazil and other countries since the group joined the firm in May 2009 from another major law firm.

“Our timber practice group chose to join MMM for many reasons, but some of the most important factors were the firm’s entrepreneurial nature and business acumen, as well as its extensive real estate, tax, environmental, REIT and fund practices,” Dunaway said. “The alliance with FGCN adds yet another important layer to our practice. It also demonstrates the foresight of MMM and allows us to better assist our clients in the Brazilian and South American markets.”

“Our firm has been working with Glenn, Steve and other members of their timberland team for several years on a case by case basis,” said Aldo de Cresci Neto, one of the founding partners of FGCN. “With the formal cooperative agreement, I believe that we will be in a better position to utilize our respective legal experiences and resources to service existing and new clients in timberland, real estate and corporate transactions.”

About Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP and Fleury Malheiros, Gasparini, De Cresci e Nogueira de Lima Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP (www.mmmlaw.com) is a full-service commercial law firm representing domestic and international clients throughout the United States. Our mission is to be the firm of choice for clients seeking the most creative, comprehensive and effective legal services available. Our legal solutions are delivered by industry-focused, diverse, involved lawyers who are dedicated to our clients’ success, whether in a transaction, in court or in the everyday course of business. MMM enjoys national prominence for its healthcare, intellectual property, capital markets, environmental, green industry, insurance, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, timberland and forest products and technology practices. MMM has offices in Atlanta, Raleigh-Durham, Savannah, Taipei, Beijing and Washington, D.C. and now an alliance with FGCN in São Paulo, Brazil.

Fleury Malheiros, Gasparini, De Cresci e Nogueira de Lima Advogados (www.fgcn.com.br) is committed to high quality and efficient legal services. Our clients rely on a team of expert attorneys graduated from the most prestigious institutions in Brazil and abroad. The extensive experience enjoyed by the members of FGCN makes it a reference-firm in Brazil, where it operates in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia and in the most important cities throughout the country.

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Media Contact: Terri Thornton, Thornton Communications (404) 932-4347 terri@territhornton.com