Lori Evans Joins Manatt As Managing Director To Spearhead the National Healthcare Solutions Group's Health IT Practice Group to Focus on Health IT and Health Information Exchange

WASHINGTON, D.C., PALO ALTO, NEW YORK AND LOS ANGELES, February 9, 2006 - Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, the national law and consulting firm, announced today that Lori Evans, former Senior Advisor to Dr. David Brailer, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, has joined the firm's Washington, D.C. and Palo Alto offices as a Managing Director.  Ms. Evans will be a part of Manatt Health Solutions and will lead a national practice focused on health information technology.  Offering specialized services to multiple participants in the healthcare system, Manatt Health Solutions leverages the capabilities of Manatt's law and policy professionals in the areas of healthcare access and delivery, healthcare financing and health information technology.

Prior to joining Manatt, Ms. Evans was responsible for the Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN), Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO), and electronic health records (EHRs) certification and implementation strategies within Dr. Brailer's office at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

"The healthcare industry is multifaceted and dynamic, and our attorneys, consultants and advisors are well-equipped to help our clients navigate this complex landscape," said Paul H. Irving, Manatt's Chief Executive and Managing Partner. "The addition of Lori Evans brings yet another sophisticated piece to our integrated solutions-based healthcare practice."

"While some clients want to engage Manatt Health Solutions solely for strategic and business advisory services, others embrace an interdisciplinary approach which leverages our health law, technology and governmental relations practices, among others," added William S. Bernstein, a recognized expert in health information technology legal issues and Administrative Partner of Manatt's New York office.

Manatt Health Solutions provides a range of consulting services to both non-profit organizations and for-profit corporations. Clients include hospitals and health systems, large physician groups, RHIOs, technology and pharmaceutical companies, community health centers and government. Services offered through the health information technology practice will include strategic business advice to clients that are involved in health information technology adoption, health information exchange and formation of RHIOs; legislative and regulatory analysis to help clients understand the rapidly changing legal and policy landscape of healthcare and health information technology; strategic counsel on federal and state government procurement opportunities; coalition building and advocacy; business advice on emerging business opportunities within health information technology, including strategic partnerships, mergers and acquisitions; and organizational and transactional advice on the best legal structures to accomplish client strategic objectives.

"This is a great opportunity to continue to shape the national agenda on health information technology and healthcare financing," said Ms. Evans. "Manatt enjoys national recognition in law and health policy, and Manatt Health Solutions offers an innovative platform that works at the intersection of business and policy to drive healthcare improvements."

Ms. Evans earned a master's degree in Public Health and Public Policy at George Washington University (GWU), conducting research at GWU's Center for Health Services Research and Policy and the Institute for Health Policy Studies at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine. Ms. Evans holds a B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University.

About Manatt
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, provides legal and consulting services to domestic and international clients from offices in Los Angeles, Orange County, Palo Alto and Sacramento, Calif.; New York City and Albany, N.Y.; and Washington, D.C. Its wholly owned subsidiary, ManattJones Global Strategies, LLC, develops and implements strategies to expand clients' businesses and facilitate their effective competition in global markets. For more information, visit www.manatt.com and www.manattjones.com .