(Dallas) February 3, 2005 — Vinson & Elkins LLP is pleased to announce that Ron Kirk, the former Mayor of the City of Dallas and Texas Secretary of State, has joined the law firm as a partner.
 
Mayor Kirk will practice in V&E;'s Dallas office, which has 125 lawyers. He will be part of the firm's public policy and finance section, which comprises 40 lawyers in Austin, Dallas, Houston and Washington.
 
"We are extremely proud and pleased that Ron Kirk has chosen to join our firm," said Vinson & Elkins Managing Partner Joe Dilg. "Ron strengthens our ties in the Dallas community and helps us provide better service to our clients on a firm-wide basis in local, state, and national governmental matters."
 
Rob Walters, a partner in V&E;'s Dallas office, said that Mr. Kirk's skill, experience and expertise in areas of public policy, public finance, and corporate law are "an ideal match for Vinson & Elkins and its clients."
 
"Ron is an enormously talented lawyer and leader, and we are honored to have him join V&E;," said Mr. Walters, who specializes in business and antitrust litigation. "He'll add tremendous value to our clients."
 
A 1979 graduate of the University of Texas School of Law, Mr. Kirk served as Dallas' Mayor from 1995 - 2001. He was the Texas Secretary of State in 1994, was the Texas Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2002, and is a current member of the Democratic National Committee. He serves as a National Trustee for the March of Dimes. Last fall, Mr. Kirk was honored by the Anti-Defamation League with its prestigious Jurisprudence Award.
 
"Vinson & Elkins is an internationally respected law firm with some of the finest lawyers in their practice areas," said Mr. Kirk. "I have long admired V&E;'s commitment to its clients and the communities in which it practices, and the way the firm's lawyers are so involved in public service."
 
For more information, please contact  Rob Walters at 214.220.7704 or via email at rwalters@velaw.com. Or you may contact Elizabeth Starnes at 214.220.7700 or via email at estarnes@velaw.com.
 
Vinson & Elkins was established in 1917 and is one of the world's largest international law firms.  The firm has over 700 lawyers practicing in Austin, Beijing, Dallas, Dubai, Houston, London, Moscow, New York, Tokyo and Washington.  The firm offers a wide range of legal services. Clients include public and private companies, financial institutions, municipalities, governments of sovereign nations, entrepreneurs, families and individuals.