New York, March 26, 2007 – For the third consecutive year, Baker & McKenzie was nominated as “Law Firm of the Year” by Institutional Investor’s Total Securitization Awards. The nomination honors the Firm’s U.S. securitization team as “the ‘go-to firm’ for developing legal innovations in various areas of the securitization markets--including complex and cross-border deals.”

The Firm is also recognized for its “thought leadership” and “groundbreaking” structures and its extensive work in intellectual property financings, CDOs, timeshare loan financings, cross-border DPRs, cross-border CMBS, government lease receivables and many other esoteric asset transactions.

The Total Securitization Awards credit the top institutions in the securitization industry. Nominations are based on feedback from leading industry professionals and an advisory board comprised of industry leaders, whose recommendations, along with the results of a survey of rating agencies, bankers and financial firms conducted by the publication, are reviewed by the editorial staff for a final determination of winners. Award winners will be announced in New York on April 26, 2007.

Commenting on the nomination, Richard D. Rudder, co-head of the Global Securitization Practice Group, said: “This is the third year in a row that we have been recognized by Institutional Investor for our securitization capabilities. It is a great honor, and a testament to the fact that members of our team have been pioneers in the development of a variety of important asset classes.”