De Melo Joins Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft as Capital Markets Partner in London Office.

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 22, 2001

Jeremy J. ("Jerry") De Melo will join Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft as a partner in its Capital Markets Department in London effective October 1.

Mr. De Melo will work closely with James J. Croke,

"We have established a sound blueprint for the firm's international growth strategy," said Robert O. Link, Jr., Cadwalader's Chairman. "Jerry's extensive knowledge of European securitization and finance, coupled with the expertise of his stateside colleagues, will complement our expanding capital markets, financial restructuring and project finance practices."

"This addition allows the firm to leverage our leading position in the US and further expand our global securitization and real estate finance practices," said Andrew Wilkinson, Managing Partner in Cadwalader's London office. "His understanding of the areas will prove invaluable in achieving our clients' objectives as securitizations burgeon in London and throughout Europe."

Mr. De Melo stated, "Cadwalader has already distinguished itself as a leader in European project finance and financial restructuring. I am delighted to join forces to help solidify another premium practice area."

Mr. De Melo most recently advised on domestic and cross-border securities and banking law issues as Vice President and Senior Counsel at Merrill Lynch in London. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, Mr. De Melo was a senior solicitor in the structured finance group of Clifford Chance, where he represented issuers, underwriters and purchasers of mortgage and asset-backed securities. In addition to residential and commercial mortgage-backed transactions involving both UK and European asset portfolios, his numerous significant transactions have included the acquisition of a UK mortgage lender and subsequent securitization of that lender's mortgage portfolios, the securitization of Italian performing and non-performing loans and, most recently, the securitization of US $1.3 billion of Eurotunnel junior debt.

Prior to joining Clifford Chance, Mr. De Melo was a partner with the Toronto law firm of Davies, Ward & Beck. He is also a Chartered Accountant, having worked and obtained his qualification with the Toronto office of Coopers & Lybrand.

Mr. De Melo received his Bachelor of Laws degree from Queen's University in 1989. He received his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto in 1983. He is qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales and as a barrister and solicitor in Ontario, Canada.

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, established in 1792, is one of the world's leading international law firms, with offices in New York, Charlotte, Washington and London. Cadwalader serves a diverse client base, including many of the world's top financial institutions, undertaking business in more than 50 countries in six continents. The firm offers legal expertise in securitization, structured finance, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, real estate, environmental, insolvency, litigation, health care, banking, project finance, insurance and reinsurance, tax, and private client matters. More information about Cadwalader can be found at its web site (www.cadwalader.com).