Winston & Strawn Announces Leadership Changes - Thomas P. Fitzgerald Named Managing Partner-Elect

CHICAGO, February 6, 2006 — Winston & Strawn LLP announced today that its executive committee has unanimously approved the selection of Thomas P. Fitzgerald as managing partner of the firm. The executive committee also named Rex L. Sessions to lead the labor and employment practice group. Fitzgerald will assume the role of managing partner in August of this year when James M. Neis, the firm's current managing partner steps down.

"Jim did an excellent job leading the firm, and leaves big shoes to fill," said Winston & Strawn chairman James R. Thompson. "There was universal agreement that Tom displayed all the qualities necessary to lead this firm."

Neis has served as managing partner since 1993. Under his leadership, the firm grew to nine offices and from 464 attorneys to nearly 900 attorneys, and its annual revenues have increased from $144 million to $575 million. Neis, a corporate lawyer, will return to the full-time practice of law this August.

Employing a methodical and highly democratic process, a governance committee was appointed by the firm's executive committee to solicit applications for the next managing partner when Neis announced that he would step down to open the leadership ranks of the firm to younger attorneys. Dan K. Webb, chair of Winston & Strawn's litigation practice for the past 21 years and recognized as one of the nation's top trial lawyers, chaired the governance committee which over the course of several months conducted an extensive review of all of the candidates for managing partner. Just over a week ago, the governance committee announced its recommendation for the new managing partner, as well as for the new chairs of the litigation and labor and employment departments.

According to Neis, "The task of the governance committee was quite difficult, given the outstanding candidates for the job. In the end, however, the leadership of the firm could not be in better hands. Tom enjoys the confidence and trust of our partners."

Thomas Fitzgerald, 51, is a partner in the firm's tax practice. He counsels clients on tax issues related to corporate transactions as well as tax controversy matters. He joined Winston & Strawn as an associate in 1979, and has served on the firm's executive committee, chaired the compensation committee and has served on numerous other firm committees. He is an active member of the planning committee of the University of Chicago Annual Tax Conference; serves on the board of directors for Leaders Bank in Oak Brook, Illinois; and is a member of the Notre Dame Law School Alumni board of directors. Fitzgerald is a graduate of Notre Dame Law School and earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame. He is an Oak Brook, Illinois, resident.

Rex Sessions, 46, the new chairman of Winston & Strawn's labor and employment practice, has broad experience in all areas of labor and employment relations law. He serves on the firm's compensation and diversity committees and acts as employment law counsel to the firm. Sessions is active in civic and charitable organizations and serves on the National Finance Industry Employment Law Committee; the board and executive committee of the Chicago Children's Museum; the board of directors of Scholarship Chicago; and the board of directors of Junior Achievement of Chicago. Sessions graduated from the University of Michigan Law School and earned his bachelor's degree from Northwestern University. He lives in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood.

Winston & Strawn LLP is an international commercial law firm with more than 850 attorneys in nine offices, including Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Paris, Geneva and Moscow.