LONDON, July 3 /PRNewswire/ --

- New Partner Brings Wide Range of Corporate and Sovereign Finance, M&A 
Experience to Firm

Andrei Yakovlev, who has represented global investment banks and both
corporate and sovereign issuers in debt and equity offerings with a
particular emphasis on Eastern/Central Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East
and Turkey, joined Baker Botts today as partner in the Firm's Corporate
Department. He will be based in London.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070703/LATU700)

Yakovlev is a U.S., U.K. and Russian-qualified lawyer. He has more than
12 years of experience in a wide range of international corporate and
sovereign finance and M&A matters. He also has extensive experience in
complex sovereign and corporate debt restructuring -- both negotiated and
litigated. He represented global investment banks in connection with the
restructuring of Yugoslav debt following the disintegration of that country
and worked on the extensive restructuring of Russian sovereign, corporate and
bank debt following the 1998 Russian financial crisis.

"Andrei's extensive international debt and equity transactional
experience will provide our clients the type of intricate legal guidance
needed into today's global marketplace," said Walt Smith, Managing Partner of
Baker Botts. "His familiarity with doing business in a number of
international settings fits our commitment as a major international law firm
to provide high-quality service to our clients around the world."

In addition to his debt and equity offering experience, Yakovlev has
significant experience in international arbitrations involving international
finance and foreign investment. He has arbitrated complex, high-value
international disputes arising out of defaults on sovereign and corporate
debt securities and financial guarantees, financial derivatives, breach of
investment protection obligations, petroleum development contracts and
telecommunications concessions.

"Andrei's client connections and depth of expertise in offerings and M&A
in Eastern and Central Europe will significantly expand our ability to assist
clients on cutting-edge projects in the region," said David Kirkland,
Corporate Department Chair of Baker Botts. "Andrei has had key roles in a
number of the region's most significant transactions over the past 10 years,
and is a major addition to our practice group."

Yakovlev graduated in law from Moscow State Institute of International
Relations. He holds a masters' degree in law from the University of London,
and a masters and doctorate in law from Northwestern University in Chicago.

Prior to joining Baker Botts, Yakovlev worked with major law firms in New
York, London and Moscow. In addition to his legal practice, Yakovlev teaches
International Economic Law at Queen Mary, University of London.

About the Corporate Department at Baker Botts

Baker Botts corporate lawyers handle a full range of capital market,
merger and acquisition, corporate governance, and bankruptcy and
restructuring matters. The Firm's capital market expertise encompasses
securities and other financings, including both public offerings and private
placements of equity and debt and more complex securities for issuers and
underwriters. Baker Botts lawyers work on mergers, acquisitions, dispositions
and slit-off transactions, as well as bankruptcy and other restructurings.
Baker Botts consistently ranks in the top tier of leading firms in capital
markets transactions and in mergers and acquisitions.

About Baker Botts L.L.P.

Baker Botts L.L.P., founded in 1840, is a leading international law firm
with offices in Austin, Beijing, Dallas, Dubai, Hong Kong, Houston, London,
Moscow, New York, Riyadh and Washington. With approximately 750 lawyers,
Baker Botts provides a full range of legal services to regional, national and
international clients. For more information, please visit
http://www.bakerbotts.com.

Web site: http://www.bakerbotts.com