M. Baker Wyche, III Appointed General Counsel for the Greenville Chamber; Also Receives 2005 Chairman's Award

GREENVILLE – January 31, 2006 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins) is pleased to announce that M. Baker Wyche III  has been appointed to a fourth term as General Counsel for the Greenville Chamber of Commerce and has also received the 2005 Chairman’s Award for his outstanding leadership and dedication to the Greenville Chamber. Wyche is currently a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and Board of Governors. He also serves on the Chamber’s Steering Committee of HR Leadership Forum and is a board member of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc.

Lewis Smoak, managing shareholder of the firm’s Greenville office commented, “We are delighted the Greenville Chamber has appointed Baker to a fourth term as General Counsel and has also honored him with the prestigious Chairman’s Award.  The firm remains a long time supporter of the Chamber and commends Baker for his dedication and involvement in this organization. His valuable legal expertise and leadership will serve the Chamber well again in 2006.”

Mr. Wyche is a shareholder with Ogletree Deakins and has been practicing law for over thirty years. He has worked on legal matters with employers in many different industry groups including manufacturing and healthcare, financial, automotive, telecommunication, software, and transportation. Wyche has also provided legal counsel to employers faced with employment litigation, claims of discrimination and union campaigns.

About Ogletree Deakins

Ogletree Deakins is the nation’s third largest labor and employment law firm, representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters. The firm has more than 300 lawyers located in 24 offices from Miami to Los Angeles. In addition to handling labor and employment law matters, the firm has thriving practices focused on business immigration, employee benefits, and workplace safety and health law.  Ogletree Deakins represents a diverse range of clients, including more than half of the Fortune 50 corporations in the U.S.

For more information, please contact Karen Gonzales, communications manager, at 210-277-3606.