From its global platform, McDermott offers a broad array of transactional services through globally integrated teams with experience in M&A, tax, labor/benefits, intellectual property, regulatory matters and disputes.  The study mentioned McDermott as among an "elite group of law firms [that] shine in international transactions."  According to BTI, McDermott is identified by clients as a "top hiring choice" for international transactions.

"Whether a transaction is large or small, domestic or international, it requires a breadth of skills and experience to manage efficiently and close successfully," stated Harvey Freishtat, Firm Chairman.  "Companies are increasingly looking for teams that understand the client's business goals and execute flawlessly.  I am particularly pleased with our recognition in Europe as well as the United States."

Timothy Alvino, co-head of the Firm’s Corporate Department added:  "McDermott is particularly well suited to meet a company’s transactional needs, because we have premier practice groups in such areas as corporate, finance, benefits, intellectual property, antitrust and tax.  These groups function as integrated deal teams across our platform and link with sector-based teams across a broad range of industries.  This combination of strong subspecialty skill and in-depth industry knowledge provides clients superior levels of competence, practical business sense and service."

"We have an international platform that has the resources, talent and geographic reach to service multinational and other corporations and financial institutions who operate in the key global economic centers," added David Dalgarno, head of the Firm's London office.  "With a proven track record for project management, we have experience in a wide variety of sectors encompassing traditional 'old' economies and the new high tech economies worldwide."

McDermott completed nearly 100 M&A transactions in 2006 according to Mergerstat, an industry data provider.  The Firm's M&A practice is recognized worldwide, placing in the top 20 in several deal tables in 2006 and 2007 by Bloomberg (Global Legal M&A and Global Financial M&A), Thomson Financial (Worldwide Rankings for M&A/Legal Advisors and Americas Rankings for M&A/Legal Advisors) and Mergermarket  (Global M&A, North American M&A, Global Top Deals and North America Top Deals for YTD 2007).

During 2007, the Firm has completed nearly 85 M&A transactions, and was recognized for its involvement in the top ten U.S. deals announced by Thomson Financial through June 2007.  McDermott played a key role in three of the 10 largest deals, including the leveraged buyout of TXU and the spinoffs of Tyco Electronics and the Tyco Healthcare Group.

BTI conducted more than 150 independent interviews with corporate counsel responsible for transactions at large and Fortune 1000 companies.  BTI selected companies active in the deal markets with revenue in excess of $1 billion across 14 industries.  For more information visit www.bticonsulting.com.

"Freddie Mac's departure from proper accounting practices was the result of a corporate culture that sought stable earnings growth at any cost," said Linda Thomsen, the SEC's enforcement director, in a statement.

The SEC said it expects to distribute the penalty money to investors.

Freddie Mac has taken a number of steps to bolster its accounting practices. On Thursday, Freddie's chief executive, Richard Syron, said the agreement resolves the last investigation related to its earnings restatement.

"This is another milestone enabling us to focus entirely on those things that are most important -- further advancing our housing mission, effectively serving our customers and building our business for the future," Syron said.

Turner's lawyers had linked his case with an appeal from two Kentucky inmates who argued that lethal injection is unconstitutionally cruel. Both states use similar injection procedures employing three drugs.

The justices on Tuesday agreed to consider the Kentucky appeal, and Turner's case was viewed as a barometer of whether capital punishment in Texas could be placed on hold while the Supreme Court considers that case.

Walters spoke just before Bell, 17, was freed on $45,000 bail after spending 10 months in jail for beating a white classmate.

"He goes home because a lot of people left their home and stood up for him," said the Rev. Al Sharpton, referring to the Sept.20 march. "We do not condone violence of any kind. ... Upon this young man's shoulders is a movement for fairness."

His parents at his side, Bell, who did not speak, walked out of the LaSalle Parish courthouse, flanked also by Martin Luther King 3rd and Sharpton, who recently supplanted less media-savvy local activists to become Bell's spokesman.

An all-white jury convicted Bell after his court-appointed lawyer failed to question any witnesses. The conviction was thrown out this month when an appeals court said he should not have been tried as an adult.

Walters, who is being accused of treating black offenders more harshly than white ones, said he decided not to appeal the ruling.

He said he would retry the case in juvenile court as soon as possible.

"I believe that it is in the best interest of the victim and his family not to delay this matter any further," he said.

Walters charged Bell and five black friends - known as the Jena 6 - with attempted murder last year for punching and stomping white classmate Justin Barker after a series of ugly racial incidents in town.

Walters later reduced the charge to aggravated battery, which could still put the teens in prison for 20 years.

Disney announced in September 2006 that it was closing Mobile ESPN, eight months after its debut. The company initially remained optimistic about its Disney-branded service, which sold phones featuring Disney content and services aimed at children and their parents. However, Disney failed to make headway with the big-box retailers and find outlets to sell its phones and related services.

Disney will instead license its content to bigger carriers to sell. Earlier this year, it forged a partnership with Verizon Wireless, which is owned by Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group PLC, to sell ESPN sports news and video. Disney said yesterday it is considering offering some of its Disney-branded services through a partnership with a major carrier. Disney Mobile included services that let parents locate their kids as well as content such as ring tones and games with Mickey Mouse and other Disney stars.

Disney isn't the only company to stumble in the MVNO arena. Amp'd Mobile Inc. sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy-court protection this year, after its youth-focused service burned through $350 million in start-up funding.

Disney declined to comment on how much it had invested in its MVNOs or the cost of closing them. During a conference call in August 2006, Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger said the company was investing $150 million in Mobile ESPN in 2006. After announcing its closure last September, Disney Chief Financial Officer Tom Staggs told an analysts conference that the cost of closing it would be about $30 million.

Fabian was indicted by a federal grand jury last month on charges of a $32 million computer equipment leasing scheme. The grand jury alleges Fabian used the money to buy beach property, travel on jets and set up the nonprofit Centre for Management.

The center bills itself as a resource that helps other nonprofits operate more efficiently and use technology better. The center is not a defendant in Fabian's criminal case, but it is required to provide monthly financial reports to the federal court and not to make any financial transactions outside the ordinary course of business.