Ellington Financial and Arlington Asset Investment Corp. Announce Definitive Merger Agreement

Winston & Strawn LLP served as special counsel to Ellington Financial Inc. (NYSE: EFC) in connection with the underlying mortgage servicing right investments pertaining to Ellington Financial’s announced acquisition of Arlington Asset Investment Corp. (NYSE: AAIC), a real estate investment trust that invests primarily in mortgage-related and other assets. Upon completion of the acquisition, Ellington Financial is expected to have a pro forma equity capital base of more than US$1.5B.