Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, P.L.C.

Jennings Strouss has provided counsel and assistance to businesses, governmental entities, nonprofit organizations and individuals in the areas of finance and capital formation for more than 60 years. As traditional financing sources have disappeared or changed radically, our finance attorneys have helped clients identify and utilize innovative means of meeting their capital needs. During the past five years, we have represented clients in hundreds of millions of dollars in public and private financing efforts. In fact, Jennings Strouss ranked #1 in Phoenix, Arizona in the field of International Trade and Finance Law by The Best Lawyers in America 2010.

Our finance attorneys represent both lenders and borrowers in secured and unsecured financings, including mortgage loans, mezzanine finance, venture capital investing, capital equipment leases, and receivable and inventory financing. Non-governmental clients include domestic and foreign banks, insurance companies, real estate developers, and U.S. and international commercial businesses.

In the securities area, our securities attorneys regularly handle a wide variety of private and public offerings. We have helped private companies "go public" and public companies "go private," and are regularly called upon to assist public companies and their affiliates in meeting the reporting requirements of the federal securities laws. Our securities attorneys have successfully represented companies both in pursuing and resisting takeover attempts. The firm also has substantial experience in securities litigation involving large companies and their directors.

The firm's securities attorneys frequently represent clients in dealings with securities and banking regulators at both the state and federal level. Our clients in this area include financial institutions, institutional investors, venture capital firms, mezzanine funds, securities issuers, investment advisors, broker-dealers and mortgage bankers. Additionally, one of our senior partners served as an original member of the state-appointed advisory board relating to the Arizona Stock Exchange. Our securities attorneys practice before the Securities and Exchange Commission, The Securities Division of the Arizona Corporation Commission, and the Arizona State Department of Financial Institutions.

The firm is actively engaged in the area of municipal finance, representing governmental issuers, private borrowers in conduit transactions, underwriters, indenture trustees and credit enhancers. We have experience with various municipal financing structures, including variable rate financings, industrial development bonds, governmental leasing and improvement district financings. Our finance attorneys have been listed in the "Red Book" of recognized bond counsel for over 30 years.

Financings for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are a niche in which our finance attorneys have extensive and somewhat unique experience. Our clients in this area include health care providers, associations, charitable and educational foundations, and churches of many denominations. During the past five years we have been general or special counsel for numerous nonprofit clients in several hundred millions of dollars of bond offerings and other financings. We also serve as disclosure and underwriters' counsel in 501(c)(3) financings.

STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

Jennings Strouss continues to promote diversity by recruiting and retaining highly qualified individuals who represent diversity of opinion, personal experience and demographics. Our goal is to maintain and nurture this diversity in an environment that fosters excellence, achievement, and advancement of all qualified individuals regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, disability, religion, or position with the firm.

We retain excellent lawyers through regularly evaluating our recruiting focus, techniques, and strategies. We then make changes as necessary. Our recruiting committee expanded the on-campus interview program in 2007 to target students with diverse backgrounds and interests from law schools with significant minority enrollments and at minority student job fairs. The committee also is working on an outreach campaign to minority student organizations at various law schools around the country. Other demonstrations of our commitment to diversity are our continuing sponsorship of a law student in the annual Arizona State University Minority Writing Internship Program, a program that was started by our firm many years ago, and our sponsorship of the 2006 NBA Diversity Pipeline Program.

Our deep commitment to diversity is based on a solid belief that a multifaceted work environment can make us a better, smarter, and stronger law firm that has a positive influence in our communities.

JENNINGS STROUSS CORE VALUESWe are a diverse team that strives to provide the highest quality legal services to our clients by our commitment to these Core Values:

• Respect

   

  We show respect for each other and value diversity and inclusion both in the workplace and in dealing with others with whom we work.

• Communication

   

  We are committed to open and meaningful communication with each other and our clients.

• Diversity

   

  We have an unwavering commitment to diversity and to providing a professional environment that offers equal and nondiscriminatory access and opportunity to all employees.

• Balance

   

  We understand the importance of a healthy, balanced life and strive to help all employees achieve a healthy work-life balance.

• Recognition

   

  We encourage a workplace where each employee seeks on a daily basis to contribute to the success of the firm as a whole and is recognized for his or her contributions.

• Integrity and Excellence

   

  We are committed to excellence in the practice of law, and in so doing promote and adhere to the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.

• Public Service

   

  We have a strong commitment to our community and public service including pro bono work.

DIVERSITY ACTION COMMITTEE

Member Joel Greene serves as the firm's Chief Diversity/Retention Officer. Instrumental in the development and implementation of the firm's Core Values, he is dedicated to working with the Diversity Action Committee to reinforce those values in an environment that fosters excellence, achievement, and advancement of all.

Representing a cross section of the firm's employees, each Committee member works to ensure that the Jennings Strouss diversity initiatives are continually updated and carried out as the firm adapts to the changing realities of the modern workplace. The Diversity Action Committee continues to formulate implementation guidelines and initiatives for the firm's Core Values. Each member views him or herself as a catalyst for change, where needed, to promote diversity and an enhanced sense of community within the firm.