PALO ALTO, CA and NEW YORK, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- August 22, 2006 -- Cooley Godward LLP, a national leader in representing technology and life sciences companies and litigating high-stakes commercial and intellectual property disputes, announced today that it will merge with Kronish Lieb Weiner & Hellman LLP, a premier 110-lawyer New York firm with highly ranked bankruptcy, tax and complex commercial and white collar litigation practices. The name of the combined 550-attorney firm will be Cooley Godward Kronish LLP. The merger will create a firm with a coast-to-coast, high-caliber litigation practice, extensive corporate and transactional capabilities and a significant presence in New York. The combined 250-lawyer litigation practice will include nationally known trial lawyers and more than 10 former federal prosecutors and will offer clients deep experience and expertise representing major corporations in high-profile complex commercial, white collar crime, securities fraud and intellectual property cases.