NEW YORK, July 31, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Sagient Research Systems, a leading publisher of independent research for the financial services and institutional investment communities, has announced that Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference, LLP (www.srff.com) has been ranked as the number one most active issuer counsel in the PIPE market during the first two quarters of 2007. Gregory Sichenzia, a partner at the Firm commented that, "We are pleased to again be recognized as the leading law firm in representing issuers in financing transactions. We aim to continuously improve our service and expertise to our clients and to explore new financing alternatives."
Placement Tracker, a flagship product of Sagient Research Systems, is well recognized as the leading provider of research, data, and analytics covering the PIPE market. Commenting on the League Tables, Robert F. Kyle, executive vice president of Sagient Research, said, "The amount raised in the first half of 2007 was the largest ever in the history of the PIPE market. During the first six months, we recorded 645 PIPE transactions totaling $22.42 billion in equity and equity-linked capital raised (excluding Structured Equity Lines and Canadian issuers). Although the number of transactions dipped slightly versus the first half of last year, the amount raised represents an astounding 38% increase over the total amount raised during the first half of 2006 and puts the market on track to smash last year's record volume of PIPE activity. As always, we congratulate all of the active agents, investors, and legal counsel in the PIPE market for a tremendous first half, especially those leaders who topped the League Tables. Many of these firms are long-time clients of Placement Tracker, and we look forward to continuing to provide them with industry leading data, research, and analytics to help keep them on top of this market. "
The 2007 PIPE Market Issuer Counsel League Table
By Number of Transactions (through 6/30/07):
Transaction Total Amount
Legal Counsel Count Advised
Sichenzia Ross Friedman
Ference, LLP 20 $ 106,133,155.00
Greenberg Traurig, LLP 12 $ 103,726,436.00
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP 10 $ 329,087,341.00
Haynes and Boone, LLP 10 $ 311,810,371.00
Vinson & Elkins, LLP 9 $ 3,220,981,782.00
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston
Gates Ellis LLP 9 $ 74,809,267.00
Thelen Reid Brown Raysman &
Steiner LLC 8 $ 142,200,003.00
Cooley Godward Kronish LLP 8 $ 133,132,575.00
Hogan & Hartson, LLP 7 $ 109,956,132.00
Richardson & Patel, LLP 7 $ 77,652,432.00
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &
Flom, LLP 6 $ 304,651,974.00
DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US, LLP 6 $ 184,711,006.00
Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, LLP 6 $ 97,589,161.00
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky &
Popeo, PC 6 $ 51,861,000.00
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati 5 $ 1,105,000,001.00
Latham & Watkins, LLP 5 $ 710,851,594.00
Loeb & Loeb, LLP 5 $ 77,925,003.00
Morrison & Foerster, LLP 5 $ 56,948,900.00
Troy & Gould, PC 5 $ 47,653,015.00
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale &
Dorr, LLP 4 $ 85,363,877.00
Stradling, Yocca, Carlson &
Rauth, PC 4 $ 62,374,016.00
Gottbetter & Partners, LLP 4 $ 51,509,995.00
Goodwin Procter, LLP 4 $ 50,234,802.00
Ropes & Gray 4 $ 48,121,112.00
Paul, Hastings, Janofsky &
Walker, LLP 4 $ 36,900,000.00
Legal counsel rankings exclude all Equity Line of Credit transactions
and all PIPE transactions conducted by Canadian issuers.
Data is as reported as of 7/19/07
Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP (SRFF) provides experienced, professional representation in all matters involving the securities industry, as well as in all general corporate and litigation matters. SRFF's clients range from start-ups to established, listed companies. They include private and public corporations, partnerships, broker-dealers, bank-affiliated broker-dealers, investment advisors, registered personnel, public and corporate customers and investors, partnerships and other entities. SRFF also advises institutional investors on transactions involving complex securities law considerations. The firm's practice includes the representation of clients located in the United States and throughout the world, including Argentina, Austria, Australia, Canada, China, Vietnam, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.srff.com. For interview and media requests, contact Masha Bezlepkina at (212)930-9700.
About Sagient Research Systems
Sagient Research Systems is a publisher of independent research. We develop, produce, and sell proprietary research products to mutual funds, hedge funds, and investment banks. Our business strategy is to continue to leverage our development, technology, and marketing expertise to solidify our position as a leading provider of independent research to the financial services and institutional investment communities. For more information, please visit the Sagient Research Systems website at www.sagientresearch.com.