In the Media           

Mesirow Financial was recently featured in the following publications:

• Crain's Chicago Business, May 5, 2008, "Bumpy Ride Ahead for United" – The article discusses United Airlines options moving forward amidst economic challenges facing the industry. James S. Feltman, senior managing director, Mesirow Financial Consulting, was quoted as saying, "a number of legacy carriers will see their cash positions erode to the point they're bankruptcy candidates in 2009." He added, "I don't think United is the first candidate. I don't think there is a first candidate."
• Bankruptcy Insider, May 5, 2008 – Mesirow Financial Consulting was ranked second as "Hottest Investment Bankers" and fourth among "Top Debtor Investment Banks." Thomas J. Allison, executive vice president and senior managing director, Mesirow Financial Consulting, was ranked third and James S. Feltman, senior managing director, Mesirow Financial Consulting, was ranked fourth among "Top Debtor Investment Bankers."
• Chicago Sun-Times, May 4, 2008, "Assessing the 'Fertilizer Bubble'" – The article discusses the recent sale of Wrigley Company to Mars, Inc. and a few of the implications of a public company going private. Jeffrey A. Golman, vice chairman and head of the Corporate Investment Banking group was noted as stating that in this type of situation the buyer will likely look to improve results with new products and broader distribution, rather than consider layoffs and plant closings.
• BusinessWeek Chicago, May, 2008, "Baron in the Making" – James C. Tyree, chairman and CEO, was featured in the article which discusses both his personal and professional challenges and accomplishments. View the entire article.
• Euromoney's Global Insolvency & Restructuring Review, 2008/9, "Financial advisory services in the US" – The article, authored by Stephen B. Darr, senior managing director, Mesirow Financial Consulting, provides an overview of the services provided by financial advisors to financially distressed companies in the United States.
• MarketWatch, April 29, 2008, "Continental Unlikely to Slow Airline Mergers; Analysis: Look Forward to Capacity Reductions and Trimming of Carrier Fleets" – The article discusses the likely options that airlines are considering in the face of the Delta and Northwest Airlines merger, in addition to other daunting market conditions. Commentary from James S. Feltman, senior managing director, Mesirow Financial Consulting, is included in the piece, where he states that if the current economic slump takes a turn for the worse and oil prices continue to climb, airlines without partners next year may find themselves with even more dire financials.
• Crain's Chicago Business, April 28, 2008, "Boeing Earns its Wings with Strong Quarter" – Senior Managing Director Mike Crowe, Equity Management, believes the outlook for the economy and stocks is "one percent GDP growth, at best (in 2008). We'll be lucky to get a 5% increase in S&P earning year-over-year. Financials are going to continue to be a drag on the S&P earnings for the next, at least, two quarters."
• The Wall Street Journal, April 22, 2008, "Delta Chief's Fancy Footwork: How CEO Anderson Overcame Obstacles to Northwest Deal" – The article discusses the role Richard Anderson, chief executive of Delta Air Lines Inc., played in the impending merger between Delta and Northwest Airlines. James S. Feltman, senior managing director, Mesirow Financial Consulting, who advised the creditor committee for Delta, is quoted in the piece.
• Business Travel World, April 16, 2008, "CO-UA Next to Tie the Knot, Says Expert: United and Continental – Next to Merge?" – The article discusses the likelihood and complications surrounding a potential merger between Continental and United Airlines, in response to the impending Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines merger. James S. Feltman, senior managing director, Mesirow Financial Consulting, who advised the creditor committee for Delta, is quoted as saying that Continental and United present "two likely partners" if the merger between Delta and Northwestern is approved.
• Reuters, April 15, 2008, "Delta/Northwest Merger May Spark More Consolidation" – The article discusses the impact that the impending Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines merger could have on other carriers. James S. Feltman, senior managing director, Mesirow Financial Consulting, who advised the creditor committee for Delta, is quoted as stating, "There will be a great deal more pressure on United and Continental to look at a combination facing the threat of a large Delta/Northwest merger. It's almost compelling as opposed to desirable."
• packagePRINTING Magazine, April 9, 2008, "Mesirow Financial Advises Innovative Folding Carton Company in Its Sale" – The item includes a description of the recent sale of Innovative Folding Carton Company, Inc., a portfolio company of ICV Capital Partners, LLC and 21st Century Group, LLC, to Multi Packaging Solutions, Inc., a portfolio company of BSMB. Mesirow Financial's Corporate Investment Banking group served as exclusive financial advisor to Innovative.
• CNBC Asia, April 7, 2008, "Both Sides of the Same Coin" – Adolfo Laurenti, senior economist explains to CNBC's Amanda Drury & Sri Jegarajah why the global economy is still very dependent on the US economy. He also says the U.S. should not rely on Asian exports to lift it out of recession.
• Pensions & Investments, March 31, 2008, "Changes in Accounting Rules Hurt Realty Values" – The article discusses recently enacted Financial Accounting Statement 157, which requires real estate investment managers to use a property's expected sale price, regardless if it falls lower than the book value. Timothy R. Croushore, managing director, Consulting, and James S. Wilson, senior managing director, Mesirow Financial Consulting, are both quoted in the piece. Wilson was noted as saying, "Under the new definition, investment managers would need to identify the principal or most advantageous market for the property, the investors in that market and how they would value the property."
• Wall Street Journal, March 19, 2008, "Soothing the Mortgage Markets" – According to Senior Economist Adolfo Laurenti, the decision by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight to reduce the required amount of capital Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac need to hold against their mortgage portfolio is an "effort to bring liquidity and certainty back to the market."

• Medill Reports Chicago, March 14, 2008, "Behind Enesco's Rescue, Corporate Turnaround Experts" – The article discusses the financial advisory services provided by Mesirow Financial Consulting, LLC for troubled Enesco Group, Inc. as well as Mesirow Financial's Corporate Investment Banking group's leadership in the subsequent §363 sale. The piece also mentions the firm's recent honor by the Turnaround Management Association Chicago/Midwest Chapter in receiving the "Large Transaction of the Year" award in recognition of the Enesco success. The entire article may be viewed online.

• Crain's Chicago Business, March 3, 2008, "Chicago's Best Places to Work" – Mesirow Financial was ranked one of "Chicago's Best Places to Work" by Crain's Chicago Business. The firm was recognized for several key aspects, including its entrepreneurial environment, which makes it a top destination for talented professionals.
• Turnarounds & Workouts, March 2008, "People to Watch – 2008: Business Professionals Making Their Mark" – Ben Pickering, managing director, Mesirow Financial Consulting, was listed among "People to Watch: 2008" for his work as a financial advisor to numerous unsecured creditors' committees, including Delphi, Quebecor World, Fedders Corporation, Rockford Products, American Camshaft, SAI, and Weld Wheel, in addition to his extensive experience with multi-national and cross-border restructuring issues.
• ELT – The Magazine of Equipment Leasing & Finance, March 2008, "Mixed Signals: Asset Managers Are Upbeat – and Ready for a Recession..." – Lauren Hill, senior vice president, Mesirow Financial Consulting, contributed to the piece which discusses the threat of a recession amidst a strong global economy, and its impact on certain segments. While discussing alternative energy and solar energy equipment, she was quoted as stating, "There's a lot of leasing and interest in leasing in solar energy equipment, but if there's a secondary market out there, we haven't found it."
• Financier Worldwide, March, 2008, "BAPCPA in its Third Year" – The article features a report on the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA) and its impact on the bankruptcy industry since its inception. Larry H. Lattig, Executive Vice President, Senior Managing Director, Mesirow Financial Consulting, was quoted as saying, "BAPCPA is certainly a larger factor in retail cases than in any other due to the requirements of reclamation and administrative expense for vendors. For that reason, many retailers will be pushed to 363 sale alternatives." The complete article may be viewed in pdf format.
• Plastics News, February 18, 2008, "More Merger Mania Unlikely for '08" – The article discusses many industry leaders' forecasts for merger and acquisition activity for the plastics and packaging industries in 2008, which is currently facing uncertainty. Louis W. Mitchell, managing director, Corporate Investment Banking, was quoted as saying, "There's still going to be M&As. It may not be at the volume of 2005 and 2006 – those were phenomenal years, frankly – but there's still going to be an amount of that going on."
• Bankruptcy Insider, February 18, 2008, Mesirow Financial Consulting was ranked first among "Hottest Investment Banks," with seven new engagements over the past six months. The ranking is based on the number of bankruptcy-related engagements in new cases filed during the six months ended February 12, 2008.
• Los Angeles Times, February 2, 2008, "Grim Report Sinks Stocks" – When commenting on the dismal report on the country's service sector, Senior Economist Adolfo Laurenti explained, "all of a sudden you have a very large portion of the economy not doing well. The economy is slowing and weakening."

• Paper, Film, & Foil Converter, January, 2008, "Credit Crunch" – The article, authored by William J. Hornell, managing director, Corporate Investment Banking, discusses recent merger and acquisition activity in the packaging sector, particularly the impact of the credit crunch as well as private equity-backed transactions.
• Chicago Tribune, January 31, 2008, "Fed Hacks another Half-Point off Benchmark Rate" – The government's GDP statistics released on January 30 said builders in 2007 slashed spending on housing projects by 16.9 percent, the most in 25 years. A positive aspect of the latest data is that "commercial construction activity has helped to absorb some of the weakness from the collapse in residential construction," Senior Economist Adolfo Laurenti said. "The situation suggests a slowdown but not a recession."
• New York Sun, January 30, 2008, "Fed Meeting More Closely Watched than Most" – Investors are eagerly awaiting news from the Federal Reserve today, as Chairman Ben Bernanke meets with his colleagues to consider further interest rate cuts barely a week after they were sliced an aggressive three-quarters of a percentage point. "This is not just an ordinary meeting," explained Senior Economist Adolfo Laurenti. "There are some real issues at stake. We are all watching very closely."
• Fox News Chicago, January 27, 2008, "Economic Boost" – In an effort to jump start the U.S. economy, lawmakers and the White House worked out a 150-billion-dollar economic stimulus package that could be very good news for tax payers. Adolfo Laurenti, senior economist, explains why.
• CBS Chicago, January 24, 2008, "Retailers Hope Tax Rebates Spur Shoppers" – Senior Economist Adolfo Laurenti comments on the economic stimulus plan on Capitol Hill that will give taxpayers rebate checks between $600 and $1,200.
• Bloomberg, January 24, 2008, "Asset-Backed Commercial Paper Grows for a Fourth Week" – Short-term debt backed by assets such as mortgages and auto loans expanded for a fourth straight week as the Federal Reserve cut its target rate the most in 23 years, pushing borrowing costs to the lowest since July 2005. "It's promising," Adolfo Laurenti, senior economist, said. "We are still very far away from the levels we saw before the crisis, but it is a sign of improvement."
• New York Sun, January 23, 2008, "Fed Move Has Economists Worried About Inflation" – In a rare and unexpected move, the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by 0.75% early yesterday, in response to worldwide selling sprees that sent international stock markets plummeting on Monday. "We're seeing a flight to safety," Senior Economist Adolfo Laurenti said. "People see that stocks are going down, that interest rates are going down, and that there is a real concern about inflation and the direction of the economy. If you want to have a safe investment today, you buy gold."
• CBS Chicago, January 22, 2008, "Chicago Experts Offer Advice for Investors" – After dropping more than 450 points in the first few minutes of trading, the Dow rebounded Wednesday to close down 128 points, leaving many investors wondering how to protect themselves. CBS 2's Joanie Lum talked to some Chicago experts, including Senior Economist Adolfo Laurenti to get some advice.
• Chicago Sun-Times, January 24, 2008, "LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT: After Beating Diabetes, Tyree Sees Opportunities" – Announcing his recent honor from the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) Chicago 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award, the article features chairman and CEO, James C. Tyree, citing both personal and professional accomplishments. While discussing his optimism amidst a tough economy, he is quoted as saying "It's much easier to grow in difficult times." The article also discusses his personal battle with diabetes, which he overcame with transplant surgery.
• Bankruptcy Law360, January 1, 2008, "Outlook For Bankruptcies In 2008" – The article discusses projections for bankruptcy filings in 2008, with particular attention paid to the sub-prime mortgage crisis' impact on the economy. James S. Feltman, senior managing director, Mesirow Financial Consulting, is quoted in the piece where he discusses the fallout potentially extending to the retail and consumer product areas.
• The New York Sun, December 20, 2007, "Demand at Fed Auction Seen as Bad Sign" – Adolfo Laurenti, senior economist, said "the sizeable demand for Monday's Fed auction showed the pent-up demand among banks for additional liquidity."
• SmartMoney, December 19, 2007, "Moves by Fed and ECB May Offer Relief for Homeowners" – Adolfo Laurenti, senior economist, told SmartMoney that "many U.S. banks are taking action and coming clean regarding the situation about their asset portfolios, but I haven't seen the same thing happening in Europe. That suggests their banks may have some subprime problems that they are not completely disclosing yet."
• Florida Today, December 16, 2007, "All Hail the Euro" – Adolfo Laurenti, senior economist, said one reason why the dollar is close to close to bottoming out is "the exceptionally low interest rates, stemming from a series of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve several years ago."
• ABI Journal, December/January, 2008, "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished" – The article discusses cases in which §4-210 has been integral in ruling whether or not security interests held by banks outweigh claims made by firms in Chapter 11 that would allow them to recover a transfer as a preference. One case cited was Feltman v. City National Bank of Florida, where James S. Feltman, senior managing director, Mesirow Financial Consulting, served as trustee.
• Kiplinger, December 12, 2007, "Time for a Dollar Turnaround" – Adolfo Laurenti, senior economist, explained that "there is a limit to the size of the currency market and just how much you can adjust reserves at any moment in time. Countries wanting to diversify away from greenbacks in their reserves also face something of a catch-22. The moment they started to sell off dollars, they would sustain a huge capital loss in the dollars they have remaining in their portfolios." Thus, holders of these reserves have little incentive to simply dump the buck.
• Chicago Tribune, December 3, 2007, "Top 5: What to watch this week in financial news" – Adolfo Laurenti, senior economist, says that the dollar may make a revival after falling for many months. "The dollar will stabilize in 2008. Barring a major adverse shock, conditions seem ripe for a partial rebound."
• Crain's Chicago Business, November 12, 2007, "Society: At Chamber, Tyree Leads the Leaders" – Crain's reporter Mary Cameron Frey talks to Chairman and CEO Jim Tyree about his involvement at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and the 2007 Daniel H. Burnham Award Dinner honoring Norm Bobins of LaSalle Bank.
• Medill, October 30, 2007, "Consumer Confidence falls to a Two-Year Low" – Senior Economist Adolfo Laurenti says that the decline in consumer confidence reflects "growing uncertainty but no outright pessimism. Laurenti believes consumers may be reacting to headlines about falling home prices and the weak housing market. Tightening credit conditions have also fueled uncertainty as the stock market has become more volatile and credit card interest rates have increased.
• Paper & Packaging, September/October, 2007, "Industry People on the Move" – Mesirow Financial announced that Adolfo L. Laurenti will join the firm's economic research team led by Chief Economist Diane Swonk. As the firm's new senior economist, Laurenti will work alongside Swonk to develop on-going economic research and commentary. He will also focus on international economic research.
• Bankruptcy Insider, November 19, 2007, James S. Feltman, senior managing director, Mesirow Financial Consulting was ranked second among "Hottest Investment Bankers."
• Packaging Strategies, November 15, 2007, "The High-Flying M&A Market" – The article discusses large packaging properties that are for sale, and the implications that poses for the industry. Louis W. Mitchell, managing director, Corporate Investment Banking, was quoted as saying, "Valuations have been historically high, and that has led to a lot of very big deals out there."

• Business Insurance, November 5, 2007, "Supply chain insurance can fill gasp in business interruption coverage" – Ross Norstrom, managing director, Mesirow Financial Insurance Services, discusses how trade credit insurance "can cover disruptions such as the destruction of a supplier's or customer's property; closure or blockage of transportation routes; a government blockade or embargo; third-party strikes; and insolvency of a key supplier or customer".
• The AALU Quarterly, Fall 2007, "How AALU Helped my Business" – AALU Quarterly sat down with Dana Mikstay, senior managing director, Mesirow Financial Insurance Services, to discuss the positive impact the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting has had on her business. She explained, "...remember that at the end of the day it's the quality of your work on behalf of your clients that really matters. Always keep in mind that it's about more than that one transaction, it's about your reputation."
• Bankruptcy Insider, October 29, 2007, Stephen C. Jones, executive vice president, senior managing director, Mesirow Financial Consulting announcement that he has joined the firm to lead its Valuation Services group.
• Bankruptcy Insider, September 24, 2007, Mesirow Financial Consulting was ranked first among "Hottest Investment Banks." The article went on to note the firm, "...picked up six new restructuring engagements between March 19–Sept. 19 – three in the third quarter – making Mesirow [Financial] the most active investment bank over the period."
• Chicago Tribune, September 2, 2007, "How to dial back a Starbucks habit" – Adolfo Laurenti, senior economist, comments on the $900 Starbucks latte trend. "If one were to direct that $900 annually into an investment with a 5 percent return rate, after 30 years, you would have $59,794."
• Crain's Chicago Business, August 20, 2007, "Look out, B of A, rival's on the way – Mesirow chief Tyree sees room for another bank; will LaSalle's CEO jump?" – Jim Tyree, chairman and chief executive officer, discussed the possibility of buying or starting a commercial bank, and the potential for teaming with executives and business lenders from LaSalle in that venture.
• Bankruptcy Insider, August 20, 2007, "Dire Stats" – Mesirow Financial Consulting was ranked first among "Top Creditor Investment Banks." Additionally, James S. Feltman, senior managing director, was ranked second and Larry Lattig, executive vice president and senior managing director and Leon Szlezinger, senior managing director, were ranked fourth among "Top Creditor Investment Bankers."
• Financial Week, July 23, 2007, "Multinationals wake up to plummeting dollar" – Gary Kopfenstein, senior managing director for Currency Management, says, "We've had more inbound [U.S.] interest in the past six months than in the prior three years. I think it's a realization that companies need to do something about currency." He also adds, "Companies need to determine their views on currency risk and its potential impact, and then design a currency management policy incorporating both the view and the magnitude of the risk".
• Chicago Tribune, July 22, 2007, "Asset Drift can be a Threat to Any Retirement Nest Egg" – Dominic Falaschetti, mutual fund research analyst in Mesirow Financial's Investment Strategies group, discusses target maturity portfolios. "The problem with target funds is that they are a 'one-size-fits-all' solution, which may not be appropriate for everyone due to their special situations."
• Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC, July 20, 2007, "UBOC Sends Sponsors to Fiduciary Advisor" – Mesirow Financial has been recommended by Union Bank of California to their direct-sold plan sponsor clients for financial advisory. Chris Anast, senior investment consultant at Mesirow Financial, says UBOC is the first firm to use Mesirow Financial in this way.
• Business Insurance (BI) (a publication of Crain Communications Inc.), July 16, 2007 – Mesirow Financial's Insurance Services Division ranked 28th on the magazine's 2006 list of the 100 Largest Brokers of U.S. Business. The Division's impressive growth can be tracked historically through BI's list; ranking 35th in 2005, 34th in 2004 and 39th in 2003. Mesirow Financial's Insurance Services Division also placed 14th in the Largest Privately Owned Broker category, as determined by 2006 brokerage revenues. The firm's success is the result of organic growth and acquisition.
• Crain's Chicago Business, July 2, 2007, "Olympic mystery: Who's the insurer? City's secrecy raises doubts about policy" – In regards to the city's $500 million private insurance plan to help lure the 2016 Olympics to Chicago, Richard Price, president and chief operating officer, says, "Industry practice does not include committing to a financial guarantee years before it's needed. Normally, it's right now or in 60 days when those policies are finalized. It's not nine years."
• Best's Review, July 1, 2007, "Best's Review Top Global Insurance Brokers" – Mesirow Financial's Insurance Services Division reported 2006 revenues of $81 million and announced the acquisition of Dann Insurance.
• San Diego Daily Transcript, June 27, 2007, "Coradiant raises $15 million in private placement" – Mesirow Financial Private Equity led a $15 million private placement investment for Coradiant Inc., the leading maker of User Performance Management equipment.
• Business Wire, June 26, 2007, "Coradiant Completes $15 Million Private Placement Financing" – Mesirow Financial Private Equity led a $15 million private placement investment for Coradiant Inc., the leading maker of User Performance Management equipment. "We are very excited to be investors in Coradiant," said Tom Galuhn, senior managing director, Mesirow Financial Private Equity.
• Investment Management Weekly, June 25, 2007, "Cincinnati Hires Real Estate Managers" – Mesirow Financial Investment Management was selected by the City of Cincinnati Retirement System for a value-added real estate mandate.
• Plastics News, June 20, 2007, "Silent investor group buys Duraco Products" – Mesirow Financial's Corporate Investment Banking group served as exclusive financial advisor to Duraco Products, Inc. in its sale to U.S. Composites & Plastic, LLC. Rocky Pontikes, director, was quoted as stating "Duraco should serve as a platform to make additional strategic and synergistic acquisitions."
• Chicago Sun-Times, June 6, 2007, "Mesirow to Manage Hedge Fund in UK" – Mesirow Financial Advanced Strategies will open a London office to expand the firm's international research capabilities.
• FundFire, May 22, 2007, "Mesirow Grabs Father, Son Commodities Team" – Mesirow Financial's hiring of Thomas C. Willis and his son, Thomas R. Willis, to work in its year-old commodities unit is discussed.
• Crain's Chicago Business, May 1, 2007, "Mesirow Buys Executive Compensation Consultant" – Mesirow Financial acquires The Giles Organization, a leading executive compensation firm with a respected client roster. The acquisition expands Mesirow Financial's platform of products and services for the corporate market to include executive compensation and nonqualified benefit plan consulting.
• National Underwriter, May 1, 2007, "Agency Acquires Executive Comp Firm" – Mesirow Financial acquires The Giles Organization, a leading executive compensation firm with a respected client roster. The acquisition expands Mesirow Financial's platform of products and services for the corporate market to include executive compensation and nonqualified benefit plan consulting.
• Bankruptcy Insider, April 23, 2007, "Dire Stats" – Mesirow Financial Consulting was ranked second among "Most Active Investment Banks to Lenders of Bankrupt Companies," and third among "Top Creditor Investment Banks." Additionally, Larry Lattig, executive vice president and senior managing director, Mesirow Financial Consulting, was ranked fourth among "Top Creditor Investment Bankers."
• Crain's Chicago Business, April 16, 2007, "Chicago's Largest Privately Held Companies" – Mesirow Financial is ranked number 82.
• Urban Land Institute (ULI), April 5, 2007, ULI Chicago's "A Conversation With." series – Richard Stein, senior managing director, Real Estate, offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his many projects, including his first big downtown deal: an office tower 203 N. LaSalle St. that was built in 1986 and was a key step in the city's North Loop redevelopment.
• Bankruptcy Insider, April 2, 2007, "Top Debtor Investment Banks" – Mesirow Financial Consulting was ranked fifth in the listing in the weekly newsletter. The ranking was determined by active cases as of March 28, 2007.
• Bankruptcy Law360, March 28, 2007, "Airlines Recover, But Turbulence Persists" – James S. Feltman, senior managing director, Mesirow Financial Consulting, is quoted in the article which discusses some airlines' emergence from bankruptcy, and what may lie ahead for the industry.
• Turnarounds & Workouts, March 15, 2007, "People to Watch 2007" – Leon Szlezinger, senior managing director, Mesirow Financial Consulting, was named as a finalist in "People to Watch 2007," a special report published by Turnarounds & Workouts.
• Chicago Tribune, March 14, 2007, "An Upbeat Farewell" – March 6, 2007 marked the final issue of Stock Market Comments, an investment advisory letter published by Donald Hahn, investment strategist for Mesirow Financial. Hahn is retiring after publishing the report for 40 years.
• ABC 7 Chicago, February 24, 2007, "People, Places and Things," – Les Coney, executive vice president, Office of the Chairman, was featured in a special Black History Month segment focusing on African Americans who are doing ground-breaking work and/or were the "first" in their respective field.
• Bankruptcy Law360, February 6, 2007, "Lender Bankruptcies Suggest Deeper Trouble" – The article discusses the recent wave of bankruptcy filings for subprime home-loan providers. Thomas J. Allison, senior managing director, executive vice president, Mesirow Financial Consulting, commented on the current housing market's role in the trend, as well as the other contributing factors. To read the entire article, please click here.

• Business Week, February 12,2007, "It Just Got Hotter in Kraft's Kitchen," – Tim Ewing, managing director, Equity Management, comments on the recent lagging performance of Kraft Foods, Inc.
• Crain's Chicago Business, February 5, 2007, "Moto holders cool to Icahn's advances," Tim Ewing, managing director, Equity Management, comments on the current management of Motorola in light of an effort from corporate raider Carl Icahn to force a share buyback.
• Crain's Chicago Business, February 5, 2007, "Stars in His Eyes" – Michael Molitor, analyst, Corporate Investment Banking, was featured in the article, serving as a case study for young analysts breaking into the Investment Banking industry. He was quoted as saying, "...if I stay in banking, I don't see myself wanting to leave Mesirow [Financial]."
• Bankruptcy Insider, February 5, 2007 – Mesirow Financial Consulting came in at the number one position of the "Top Creditor Investment Banks" listing of the weekly newsletter. Additionally, Larry Lattig and Leon Szlezinger, both senior managing directors, Consulting, tied for second place in the "Top Creditor Investment Bankers."
• Bankruptcy Law360, February 2, 2007, "Leading Restructuring Firms of 2006" – Mesirow Financial Consulting came in fourth in the listing of the top restructuring firms of 2006. The firm was included for its participation in the USA Capital bankruptcy which had $968,000,000 in assets at the time of filing last April. The article was a correction to the original piece published on December 29, 2006, which had incorrectly omitted USA Capital. Please click here to view the article.
• National Mortgage News, January 29, 2007, "Financing a New Office Tower" – Mesirow Financial has closed on a $287.5 million first mortgage loan and construction financing for a new office tower at 353 North Clark Street in River North. Mesirow Financial and Jenner & Block LLP are slated to anchor the new 45-story office tower as tenants.
• Chicago Tribune, January 12, 2007, "Transplant Cures Mesirow Chief" – The article discussed the pancreas and kidney transplant surgery that Jim Tyree, chairman and chief executive officer, had on December 30th and the positive outlook stemming from the procedure. Jim was quoted as saying, "I am no longer a diabetic because of this."
• Crain's Chicago Business, January 11, 2007, "Mesirow Financial President, COO" – Richard S. Price, a 35-year veteran, will be tackling his new job as chief operating officer of Mesirow Financial while managing an HQ move and integrating acquisitions amid changing industry dynamics.
• Paper, Film, Foil & Converter Magazine, January 2007, "Made of Money" – Bill Hornell, managing director, Corporate Investment Banking, authored this piece which discusses the increase of private equity in the packaging industry and explains why this trend is expected to continue in the new year.

Click here to view where Diane Swonk was featured in 2007.
Click here to view where Mesirow Financial was featured in 2006.