Davis Wright Tremaine LLP Announces Addition of Former Washington State Governor Gary Locke to Firm

SEATTLE, FEB. 15, 2005 -- Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, an international law firm with more than 420 lawyers, announced today that former Washington State Governor Gary Locke has agreed to join the firm. Gov. Locke, the first Chinese-American governor in the country, joins the firm as a partner with its China and governmental relations practice groups and will be based in the Seattle office.

“We are delighted with Gary’s decision to join us as a leader in our China and governmental relations practice groups,” said Norm Page, chairman of the firm’s executive committee and co-chair of Davis Wright Tremaine’s China Practice Group. “Gov. Locke understands how business and government in the U.S. can cooperate to produce jobs and prosperity. He is also well-known and deeply respected throughout China, at all levels of government and business. As governor, he opened doors in China for many Washington state companies. Now, he can help companies throughout the Pacific Northwest and the United States that want to participate in the explosive growth of the China market.”

“Davis Wright Tremaine’s outstanding reputation, distinctive culture, and impressive and varied practices attracted me,” said Gov. Locke. “I’m excited to be joining such a talented group of professionals and look forward to building upon my experience to represent the firm’s clients in this new venture.”

“Gov. Locke understands the complexity of national, state, and local government. While governor, he forged many successful relationships between the public and private sectors, benefiting both. Companies and governments looking for ways to get things done together will find his knowledge and experience invaluable,” said Craig Gannett, co-chair of the firm’s governmental relations group.

During his administration Gov. Locke was lauded for keeping Washington competitive in an economically challenging business climate, especially his efforts in developing a package of incentives that kept production of the Boeing 7E7 (now renamed the 787) in the Seattle area.  He assisted the state’s businesses in capitalizing on international trade by helping them sell their products and services to some of the world’s most promising markets, domestically and internationally.

“Gov. Locke has been a strong advocate for businesses in Washington State, and will bring this advocacy--and his commitment to the civic life of our region--to his practice at Davis Wright Tremaine. His contributions will add immeasurably to the depth and breadth of our client service capabilities,” said Susan Duffy, partner-in-charge of the firm’s Seattle office.

“Gov. Locke's national stature and broad array of expertise and interests: public-private partnerships, issues concerning local, state, and national government and, of course, trade with China, will benefit our clients nationally,” said Rick Ellingsen, firm-wide managing partner.

Gov. Locke brings with him a nationally recognized record of public service during a distinguished career that saw him rise from King County Deputy Prosecutor to become one of the country’s most respected state leaders. His understanding of Chinese-American business dynamics has made him a sought-after resource for companies throughout the world.

In addition to his two terms as governor, Gov. Locke served as King County Deputy Prosecutor for seven years before being elected to a seat in the State House of Representatives. He was then elected as King County Executive in 1993, which he held until 1997 when he was sworn in as Washington State’s 21 st governor.

Gov. Locke and his wife, Mona Locke, live with their three children in Seattle, Wash.

ABOUT DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP

Davis Wright Tremaine is a full service business and litigation firm with more than 420 attorneys in its nine offices located in Anchorage; Bellevue, Wash.; Seattle; Portland, Ore.; Los Angeles; San Francisco; New York; Washington D.C.; and Shanghai, China. The firm’s Shanghai office celebrated its 10th year anniversary in 2004 – Davis Wright Tremaine was the first U.S. firm with legal authority to open and maintain a law office in Shanghai.

DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE CONTACTS:

Norman B. Page, Chairman, Executive Committee
(206) 622-3150, normpage@dwt.com

Barrie K. Handy, APR, Firm-wide Communications Manager
(206) 628-7404, barriehandy@dwt.com

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