FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CMPR INVOLVED IN TRANSACTIONS IN EXCESS OF $1.7 BILLION IN 2000

During 2000, the business law firm of Carle, Mackie, Power & Ross LLP was involved in the closing of transactions with a total value in excess of $1,700,000,000.

Vineyard

Non-vineyard

                Significant public transactions include:

·         $652m portfolio restructuring transaction for Principal Financial Group

·         $425m of low income housing tax credit transactions

·         Advising UK shareholders on US securities issues in connection with the $200m sale of Bradford Particle Design plc to Inhale Therapeutic Systems Inc.

·         Advising management board members in connection with the $190m sale of RH Phillips Inc. to Vincor

·         $80m of Fannie Mae and FHA transactions

·         Advising in connection with the $12.5m sale of Healthpro Solutions, Inc. to Medical Manager Corporation

·         Advising Sonoma Compost Company in connection with $1.3m bond financing

Partners John Mackie and Richard Power add:  “This strong performance in 2000 reflects our commitment to meeting an increasing local demand for more sophisticated legal services as well as to our national and international reputation.  We continue to develop strength in depth in our core practice areas of corporate and commercial, real estate, tax, litigation and employment.”

For more information contact John Mackie or Richard Power at (707) 526-4200 or visit our website at www.cmprlaw.com.

      Notes for Editors

1.   Financial transactions include acting for lenders and financial institutions and investors in connection with low income housing tax credit transactions, Fannie Mae and FHA loans and other financial transactions including lending and financial restructuring.

2.     Corporate finance transactions include mergers and acquisitions and equity and debt financing transactions.

3.    Vineyard real estate transactions include sales and purchases of vineyard land, long term vineyard leases, land use and vineyard and winery financing.

4.     Non-vineyard real estate transactions include sales and purchases of other commercial real estate and associated financing.

      Carle, Mackie Power & Ross, LLP is a full service business law firm based in Santa Rosa representing a wide variety of businesses and public agencies. The firm handles all aspects of business law including formation and organizational matters, mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financing, tax, real estate, employment, environmental, intellectual property and litigation.