Alston & Bird has continued the western expansion of its nationally recognized and ranked corporate practice with the addition of five new leading attorneys, each of whom brings with them a highly regarded reputation within the California and West Coast business and legal communities.

Four West Coast corporate attorneys have joined the firm’s Global Finance Group: Matthew Wrysinski has joined as partner, while Rob McPeak and Kevin Fink arrive as counsel, with Alex Grigorians coming aboard as an associate. This group strengthens the firm’s growing transactional practice in California and expands Alston & Bird’s national finance platform.

In addition, Ted Hollifield has joined the firm as a partner in its Silicon Valley office. He has practiced for 15 years in Silicon Valley and was recently recognized as one of the leading attorneys in the emerging growth arena; his arrival closely follows that of partner Lior Nuchi, who boasts 25 years of experience as a leading practitioner in Silicon Valley, having participated in many of the most important transactions that have created the commercial Internet. He is currently engaged in cutting-edge transactions bringing video and other broadband services to the Internet, as well as working in the wireless industry.

“These five high-profile lawyers are welcome additions to our California offices,” said Alston & Bird Managing Partner Richard Hays. “The firm is intent on cultivating a leading corporate practice on the West Coast, and this talented group is a crucial part of that plan.”

In Los Angeles, Wrysinski and Fink, both formerly with McGuireWoods, represent commercial banks, finance companies, private equity funds and their portfolio companies in various types of secured and unsecured financings. McPeak and Grigorians, both formerly with Ballard Spahr, focus on representing lenders and servicers involved in commercial real estate finance, with an emphasis on distressed real estate.

“They are tremendous additions to our Los Angeles office and the firm’s finance practice overall, bringing both national expertise and deep ties to regional markets,” said Thomas Wingard, partner-in-charge of Alston & Bird’s Los Angeles office.

The new L.A. arrivals follow the recent addition of partner David Barksdale (formerly with Ballard Spahr) in March 2012.

A bit farther up Highway 101, in Silicon Valley, Hollifield specializes in corporate and securities law, with an emphasis on public equity and debt offerings, venture capital financings, mergers and acquisitions and general representation of emerging growth companies.

“Ted strengthens our mergers and acquisitions and general corporate practices,” declared Hays upon his arrival. “He brings with him a wealth of experience representing both traditional and start-up technologies in Northern California.”

From coast to coast, Alston & Bird’s internationally recognized corporate and finance practices cover a broad range of industries, including financial services, energy, health care, real estate, technology and telecom. In each of these areas, the firm has earned a reputation as one that excels in anticipating and responding to changing market conditions. Whether structuring complex securities transactions or private or public REITs, handling a billion-dollar health care acquisition or advising one of the nation’s largest financial institutions, Alston & Bird offers proven depth and breadth of experience, clear understanding of the legal complexities corporations are today facing and proactive strategies that advance clients’ business objectives.

Alston & Bird was ranked third in the United States in Corporate Counsel’s 2011 “Who Represents Corporate America” report.

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