Source: Avalanche Strategic Communications

 

Laura Finlayson One University Plaza, Suite 407 Hackensack, New Jersey 07601 email: laura@avalanchepr.com phone: 201-488-0049 Fax: 201-488-1550

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference Announces Hire of Former President and General Counsel of NYSE Listed Company

 

New York, NY (March 3, 2008) – Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP (SRFF) is pleased to announce that Andrew Smith has joined the firm as Counsel.  Mr. Smith was President and General Counsel of Getty Realty Corp. (NYSE: “GTY”) and for nine years a Partner with Weil, Gotshal and Manges LLP in New York.  Mr. Smith’s practice areas will include Securities Law, Corporate Finance, Mergers and Acquisitions and General Corporate Law and complex real estate transactions, which are ancillary to his core practice area.

“We are thrilled to welcome Andrew to our team,” said Richard A. Friedman, managing partner of SRFF.  “His extensive expertise in advising public and private companies, investment banks, institutional lenders, as well as Fortune 500 companies in matters of corporate finance, commercial real estate transactions and leveraged buyouts will further solidify SRFF as the nation’s foremost securities law firm.”

“I am extremely excited to join this dynamic firm,” said Smith.  “SRFF has established a highly-regarded corporate and securities practice, and I look forward to contributing to the firm’s continued growth and success and adding the ability to service complex commercial real estate matters, which are often part of M & A and corporate finance transactions that SRFF specializes in.” 

In addition to his five years at Getty Realty Corp. and nine years as a partner with Weil Gotshal, Mr. Smith served as Vice President and General Counsel of Discovery Zone, Inc., a national retail and entertainment company, and as Vice President of Operations and General Counsel of Influence, Inc., a medical device start-up with research & development activities in Israel.

Mr. Smith, 55, is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Law and is admitted to practice before the Courts of the State of New York and the Federal Court in the Eastern District of New York.

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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, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.srff.com For interview and media requests, contact Avalanche Strategic Communications at 201-488-0049.