Perkins Coie Continues its Expansion in California With the Addition of Three New Partners

SAN FRANCISCO (July 10, 2007) – Perkins Coie announced that Partners Arthur Kolios and James Cowan have joined its Energy and Finance groups. Kolios will practice in Perkins Coie's Seattle office. Cowan will practice in the firm's San Francisco office. In addition, the firm is equally pleased to welcome Harold DeGraff, who joins the firm from Greenberg Traurig as a partner in its national Business practice. DeGraff will practice in Perkins Coie's Menlo Park office.

Kolios' practice focuses on the development, acquisition and financing of public-private partnerships, energy projects and infrastructure projects. He has extensive experience structuring and negotiating project development agreements, construction agreements, product off-take and supply arrangements, operating, management and maintenance contracts, and other project development arrangements. In addition, he regularly negotiates and advises clients on financing arrangements customarily required for such projects.

Cowan's practice focuses primarily on corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions, with an emphasis on the infrastructure and energy sectors. He represents borrowers, project sponsors, and other parties in a variety of transactions including project finance, commercial lending, and public and private equity offerings. In Cowan's mergers and acquisitions practice, he represents both acquirers and targets in mergers and stock and asset acquisitions.

"We are always searching for opportunities to add talent so that we can better serve our clients," said Jay Rossiter, San Francisco office managing partner. "Arthur's and James' combined experience with business clients, particularly in the public-private partnership, infrastructure and energy sectors, presents that type of opportunity. We are delighted that they have decided to join us."

Kolios earned his law degree from New York University School of Law, and his undergraduate degree from Amherst College. Cowan earned his law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, his graduate degree from Oxford University, and his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from Harvard University. They joined Perkins from Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner.

DeGraff's practice includes representing private and public companies on a wide range of matters, including the formation and financing of start-up companies, the counseling of public companies on disclosure and governance issues (including Sarbanes-Oxley compliance), mergers and acquisitions, and private and public financings. He also represents private equity funds in a variety of matters including strategic transactions, portfolio company investments and recapitalizations.

"We are thrilled to have Harold on board," said Ed Wes, Menlo Park managing partner. "The strategic growth of our California practices through the addition of high-caliber lawyers will further enhance the legal services we can provide our clients."

DeGraff received his J.D. cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School. He received his M.S. from Stanford University and his B.S. from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.