Interlex Group News

Miami-based law firm unites with lobbying firm SHD Global to assist clients with complex international policy and business issues

MIAMI, FL - February 15, 2005 - In recognizing the changing global business environment, Steel Hector & Davis LLP, an international law firm, today announced the expansion of its International Trade and Competition Group into a broader International Trade, Competition & Government Group. The new group will be supported by SHD Global LLC, a powerful lobbying firm wholly owned by Steel Hector & Davis.

The expanded practice area serves a select group of domestic and international companies and offers strong technical trade law capabilities coupled with a sophisticated understanding of legislative, regulatory and policy-making processes around the world. The new Group will be headed by Shanker A. Singham, current chair of Steel Hector's International Trade & Competition Group, and Ambassador Donna J. Hrinak, current chair of the firm's International Government Affairs Group and of SHD Global.

"Our clients increasingly demand that we solve their problems where politics, trade, and economics converge. The expansion of our Group recognizes the reality of our work and response to the changing global marketplace," said Singham.

Under the direction of Singham and Hrinak, who was the U.S. Ambassador to Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia and the Dominican Republic, the new International Trade, Competition & Government Group will provide the highest possible political, regulatory and market access coordination in an increasingly complex global environment.

"While Ambassador Hrinak is known for being one of the U.S. Government's leading experts on Latin America, she also has a keen understanding of global trade issues and of the policy-making process in capitals," adds Singham.

The uniting of the International Trade and Competition Group with SHD Global offers clients a broad range of expertise in international business counseling, domestic and international antitrust issues, media management and strategies, and international trade rules in the multilateral, regional, and bilateral contexts.

"Our collective backgrounds provide a powerful combination of access and expertise that allow us to shape policy and help our clients do business in global markets," said Hrinak. "Coalition-building to advance private business interests and public policy formed a large part of my job as Ambassador, and the expansion of our Group is an opportunity to promote these objectives from a strong new platform."

About Steel Hector & Davis LLP

The international law firm of Steel Hector & Davis LLP (www.steelhector.com), one of Florida's largest and oldest law firms, maintains a diversified business practice that includes general and commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution; corporate and securities; mergers and acquisitions; dispositions and restructurings; distribution and franchising; project development and structured financing; eminent domain; energy and utility; creditors' rights; banking and financial services; securities litigation and arbitration; tax; real estate; construction; insurance; environmental and land use; health care; employment and labor relations; civil rights class actions; family law; trusts, estates and personal planning; media and communication; intellectual property; products liability; antitrust and trade regulation; admiralty and maritime; transportation and aviation; international; immigration and nationality law; white collar criminal defense; administrative law; and government relations. The firm has 200 lawyers with offices in Buenos Aires, Caracas, Key West, London, Miami, Rio de Janeiro, Santo Domingo, São Paulo, Tallahassee, Tel Aviv and West Palm Beach.