14 June 2004, Charlotte - U.S. Attorney Robert J. Conrad, Jr. has joined Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP as a partner in the Charlotte office.

Mr. Conrad had been a federal prosecutor in Charlotte since 1989. During that period, The Charlotte Observer noted: "he's gained the respect of his colleagues and adversaries as being a tough but fair prosecutor," and that Mr. Conrad "was known as one of the state's most effective prosecutors." Mr. Conrad attracted national attention in 2000 after then-U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno selected him to head the U.S. Justice Department's investigation into campaign fund-raising abuses.

"Mayer, Brown is one of the top law firms in the world," said Mr. Conrad. "I am looking forward to working with some outstanding litigators."

Under Mr. Conrad's leadership, the U.S. Attorneys Office's prosecution of corporate fraud and other white collar matters dramatically increased in both numbers and complexity of cases. The office also successfully prosecuted a Hezbollah terrorist cell in 2002, led by Kenneth Bell, who joined Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw's Charlotte office as a partner in May 2003. After the nation's first trial of its kind, federal prosecutors obtained convictions for providing support to a terrorist organization, RICO, money laundering and conspiracy. One of the defendants was sentenced to 155 years in prison.

"Bob is an outstanding lawyer, leader and person," said Frank Blanchfield, partner in charge of Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw's Charlotte office. "We are very pleased that he is joining us.

"In 1998, Mr. Conrad became one of the first federal prosecutors in North Carolina to obtain the death penalty since capital punishment for federal crimes was reinstated in 1988.

During his tenure at the Department of Justice, Mr. Conrad was highly regarded by two Attorneys General. In 2000, in the course of his duties as Chief of the Department of Justice's Campaign Financing Task Force, Mr. Conrad examined the President and Vice-President of the United States under oath. His service was praised at a press conference by then Attorney General Janet Reno: "I can tell you my regard for Bob Conrad has only increased as I have dealt with him on this issue. [H]e is one person who deserves a great deal of credit for the success of the investigation. I am impressed with his judgment ... and his knowledge of the law. He is an excellent prosecutor." Mr. Conrad played an important role in the current administration as well, serving on Attorney General John Ashcroft's Advisory Committee, and was considered by top level department officials as one of the most influential U.S. Attorneys in the country.

Mr. Conrad served as United States Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina for more than three years, and prior to that he had been an Assistant U.S. Attorney since 1989. He is a graduate of Clemson University and the University of Virginia Law School. Mr. Conrad was an academic All American point guard at Clemson and is a member of Clemson's Athletic Hall of Fame.

Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw is among the 10 largest law firms in the world with more than 1,300 lawyers practicing in seven U.S. cities (Chicago, Charlotte, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Palo Alto, and Washington) and six European cities (Brussels, Cologne, Frankfurt, London, Manchester, and Paris). The firm also has an independent correspondent relationship with Jáuregui, Navarrete, Nader y Rojas, one of Mexico City's most respected law firms.