Chairman of the Firm

John J. Maalouf, Senior Partner of Maalouf Ashford & Talbot, LLP, is a globally recognized expert in the areas of International Trade & Finance Law, Corporate Law, Securities Law and Mergers & Acquisitions, and is ranked as one of the Top 10 International Trade & Finance Lawyers in the United States by the United States Lawyer Rankings - 2008 Edition, 2007 Edition and 2006 Edition.

Mr. Maalouf regularly counsels clients on matters involving International Finance, IPO's, M&A's, private placements, international banking, foreign investment in China and the Middle East, and on securities offerings by multilateral financial institutions and government sponsored enterprises. John also specializes in representing U.S. companies in structuring IPO's on foreign stock exchanges, including the London Stock Exchange's Alternate Investment Market (AIM).

Mr. Maalouf also represents clients in the creation of U.S. and international private investment funds, as well as traditional private equity, venture capital and hedge funds. To date, Mr. Maalouf's cases have been featured on the American television programs 60 Minutes and 20/20 as well as being on CNN and in the Wall Street Journal. Mr. Maalouf splits his time between the firm's New York and Hong Kong offices.

Representative Transactions:

Represented two individuals in connection with a small, start-up high tech company in 2005. Further represented company in private placements of securities in 2006, and then in acquisition of two competitors, 2006 and 2007. Company is now worth in excess of $150 million.

Represented a major U.S. chemicals company in its acquisition of the textile chemicals division of an EU-based competitor, division having annual sales of approximately US$1.6 billion and eleven manufacturing facilities.

Represented an international consortium of banks in connection with a large revolving credit facility provided to a major electrical transmission distribution company.

Represented a Canadian chartered bank in connection with a credit facility extended to an electronic transaction processing organization, secured in Canada, the US, UK and Australia.

Represented an international energy company in the US$1.2 billion sale of its energy operations in Western Africa, including gas concessions and a natural gas processing facility.

Represented a European bank in a US$200 million cross-boarder financing of project in northern Russia.

Represented western oil and gas company in connection with the construction of offshore drilling platforms and related facilities in the South China Sea.