Daphne O'Connor Named Head of Arnold & Porter's Denver Office

DENVER, July 2, 2007 -- Arnold & Porter LLP announced today that Daphne O'Connor, a partner specializing in product liability and mass tort litigation, has been named head of the firm's Denver office.  She is the first female partner to hold that position.

"Daphne has demonstrated leadership in her work with our clients and in our firm," said Thomas Milch, the firm's Chair.  "I am confident that she will provide excellent direction and management of our Denver office."

Daphne O'Connor joined Arnold & Porter in 1994.  Her practice focuses on complex product liability litigation, including developing and implementing strategy, litigating cases throughout the country and trying cases in federal and state courts.  Ms. O'Connor currently serves on the Board of the Colorado Lawyers Committee and as Co-Chair of the Mental Health Task Force of the Colorado Lawyers Committee.  She also serves on the Colorado Supreme Court Pro Bono Initiative Committee and is an Alumni Board Member of University of Colorado Law School.

Ms. O'Connor succeeds Brian Leitch as the partner in charge of the firm's Denver office.  Mr. Leitch will be joining Perseus LLC, a merchant bank and private equity fund management company.  Mr. Milch said, "Brian has been a terrific leader in Denver and has been dedicated to top-quality work for our clients there.  We wish him the best in his new position."

Commenting on her new position as the head of the Denver office, Ms. O'Connor said, "Arnold & Porter has a well-established presence in Denver, and has developed an excellent reputation for providing sophisticated solutions for our clients.  I look forward to continuing and expanding upon that tradition."

Arnold & Porter's Denver office has been an integral part of the firm's national and international practice for more than 25 years.  Its lawyers focus primarily on national litigation, including product liability and pharmaceutical litigation, environmental litigation, appellate work and complex bankruptcies and business reorganizations.  Chambers USA 2007 recently ranked Arnold & Porter as a leading firm in litigation in Denver, noting its "strong reputation at a national level for litigation work."  The Denver office also frequently works on federal lands law and resort and recreational development.  In keeping with Arnold & Porter's tradition of public service, the Denver office's pro bono efforts are extensive.  In May 2007, the office was named Law Firm of the Year by the Colorado Lawyers Committee and also received the Pro Bono Commitment Achievement Award from the Colorado Supreme Court for it's pro bono work in 2006.  In addition, the firm received the "Best Companies for Working Families" Award by Colorado Parent magazine in 2006.  Arnold & Porter was described as "having its priorities in order when it comes to supporting a balance between work and family responsibilities."

Arnold & Porter LLP, an international law firm of approximately 600 attorneys, has offices in Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, London and Brussels.  The firm, founded in 1946, maintains more than 25 practice areas spanning a broad spectrum of the law, with a primary focus on litigation, transactional matters and regulatory issues.