ATLANTA (JULY 13) -- Kilpatrick Stockton Partner Rupert Barkoff was recently named a Most Highly Regarded Individual for Franchise by The International Whos Who of Business Lawyers for 2006. Mr. Barkoff is ranked #9 globally as one of only 22 named a "Most Highly Regarded Individual for Franchise." This peer-nominated distinction is based upon a comprehensive and independent survey of both general counsel and private practice attorneys worldwide. The International Whos Who of Business Lawyers is the result of over eight years of independent research, consisting of thousands of interviews. Published by Law Business Research, the book contains Whos Who Legals current assessment of exactly who are the very best legal practitioners in over 27 distinct areas of law.