London (January 18, 2005)  Morrison & Foerster is continuing the rapid expansion of its London operation with the election of two corporate partners, Paul Claydon and James Gubbins, formerly of Weil, Gotshal & Manges, London.

Paul Claydon, who is joining Morrison & Foerster as Head of its Corporate Group in London, is a leading specialist in corporate finance, private equity, and mergers and acquisitions. He has a particular expertise in the life science sector where he is well recognised as having a premier practice. James Gubbins has worked closely with Paul Claydon for many years and is also a highly regarded corporate and life sciences specialist.

These appointments follow the arrival of commercial life sciences partner Julian Thurston last April and are on the heels of the recent additions of outsourcing and technology specialists Alistair Maughan, David Skinner and Andrew Smith, and private equity partner Ed Lukins.

The two new partners will become part of Morrison & Foerster's worldwide Business Department, joining more than 490 lawyers in several practice groups across the firm's 19 offices.

Julian Thurston commented: Ever since late 1980s, when travelled down West Coast US visiting biotech companies, I have believed that combination corporate lawyers working together with focused strategic partnering and licensing partners is optimum model for provision of transactional legal services to the life science sector.

Kristian Wiggert, managing partner of Morrison & Foerster's London office, said: "We are excited that Paul and James are joining us, not only because of their preeminence in the corporate life sciences field but also because, with their arrival, our corporate bench strength in London will be such that we will be able to handle the largest and most sophisticated capital markets and M&A transactions, including cross-border transactions with our US and Asian offices.

"Paul and James have handled several such high profile transactions during the past few years and we have no doubt they will continue to do so at Morrison & Foerster."

Keith Wetmore, Chair of Morrison & Foerster, said: "Over the past 12 months we have been fortunate to attract many key partners who are premier in their respective fields and whose arrival has transformed our business in the UK.

"With all our new arrivals and our imminent relocation to a new, larger London office, we look forward to rapid progress in the development of our European business in the key focus areas of life sciences, corporate, technology transactions and intellectual property. The London market is undergoing major realignments and we are well positioned to take advantage of the changing market."

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Paul Claydon has over sixteen years' experience as a corporate lawyer. His experience includes the provision of advice on IPOs and other securities issues, private equity transactions and mergers & acquisitions. Mr. Claydon's clients include corporates, private equity funds and investment banks.

Prior to joining Weil, Gotshal & Manges, Mr. Claydon worked for the London office of Pinsent Curtis, having previously spent seven years at Clifford Chance.

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James Gubbins is experienced in a wide range of corporate finance transactions and joint ventures, including acquisitions, disposals, rights issues, fundraisings and flotations. He has particular expertise in advising companies in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.

Prior to joining Weil Gotshal & Manges, Mr. Gubbins was an associate at Pinsent Curtis and at Clifford Chance, in both London and in Dubai.