Leading Los Angeles Real Estate Attorney Pam Westhoff Joins Sheppard Mullin

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - April 20, 2009) - Pamela L. Westhoff has joined the Los Angeles office of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP as a partner in the firm's Real Estate, Land Use and Environmental practice group. Westhoff joins Sheppard Mullin from DLA Piper in Los Angeles.

Westhoff has a broad-based and versatile transactional real estate practice, with an emphasis in acquisitions, dispositions, commercial leasing, and technology issues affecting real estate. She also has extensive experience in all types of real estate lending transactions, including workouts, restructures, and joint ventures. Westhoff also represents owners and providers in connection with telecommunication issues affecting commercial and retail properties, as well as university campuses. She has developed experience in the representation of radio and television broadcasters in real estate-related matters, including broadcast and communications tower licensing.

"Pam's addition to the firm is a great step toward achieving our strategic goal of continuing to grow our Los Angeles office and the firm as a whole, by adding marquee partners and groups. We are thrilled to have her join us," said Guy Halgren, chairman of the firm.

Commented Westhoff, "Sheppard Mullin offers an excellent platform to continue to grow my practice, coupled with a firmwide collegial culture. I am impressed by the firm's premier California real estate group, which is supported by firm management as a key practice and has a dominant presence throughout the state."

"Pam is one of the leading real estate attorneys in Los Angeles. Her significant transactional experience is an excellent addition to our top-notch Real Estate, Land Use and Environmental practice group, both complementing our existing capabilities and expanding our breadth," said Domenic Drago, chair of the firm's Real Estate, Land Use and Environmental practice group.

Westhoff received a J.D., Order of the Coif, from University of Southern California Law Center in 1986, an M.B.A., with highest honors, from the University of Southern California Graduate School of Business in 1986 and a B.B.A., summa cum laude, from Loyola Marymount University in 1982. She is a member of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers.

Sheppard Mullin has more than 200 attorneys based in its Los Angeles offices. The firm's Real Estate, Land Use and Environmental practice group includes more than 80 attorneys firmwide.

About Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

Sheppard Mullin is a full service AmLaw 100 firm with more than 560 attorneys in 11 offices located throughout California and in New York, Washington, D.C. and Shanghai. The firm's California offices are located in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Santa Barbara, Century City, Orange County, San Diego/Del Mar and San Diego/Downtown. Founded in 1927 on the principle that the firm would succeed only if its attorneys delivered prompt, high quality and cost-effective legal services, Sheppard Mullin provides legal counsel to U.S. and international clients. Companies turn to Sheppard Mullin to handle a full range of corporate and technology matters, high stakes litigation and complex financial transactions. In the U.S., the firm's clients include more than half of the Fortune 100 companies. For more information, please visit www.sheppardmullin.com.

Contact Information: Contact: Pam Westhoff (213) 617-4254 Ralph Richardson (213) 617-5542