BUFFALO, N.Y. — Hodgson Russ LLP is pleased to announce that it has begun interior renovations to the Guaranty Building, a National Historic Landmark designed by renowned American architect Louis Sullivan.

Hodgson Russ purchased the building, located at 26 Church Street in downtown Buffalo, in 2002 for use as its principal offices, thus ensuring that this building, whose future has at times been uncertain, will continue as one of America's most important architectural landmarks and that the firm will maintain a significant presence in downtown Buffalo for many years to come.

The firm plans to fully occupy the Guaranty Building in 2007 with the firm's nearly 160 Buffalo-based attorneys and most of its 250 Buffalo-based staff members, making the Buffalo landmark the headquarters of Hodgson Russ, which has more than 225 attorneys in seven offices in the United States and Canada.

"It's great to see that renovations have begun, and we are excited that the firm is closer to its goal of calling the Guaranty Building home," said Gary M. Schober, president and CEO of Hodgson Russ. "We have carefully planned our renovations to maintain the architectural integrity of this historic treasure. I am proud of Hodgson Russ's commitment to celebrating and helping preserve this important piece of Buffalo's heritage."

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said, "Thanks to Hodgson Russ for undertaking the renovations of the Guaranty Building, which will help preserve this extraordinary building as one of the world's great architectural treasures."

The general contractor for the Guaranty Building renovations is GPS Construction Services, and ME Engineering is providing engineering services. The architecture firms working on the renovations are Gensler Architecture and Flynn Battaglia Architects.

Hodgson Russ's interest in the architectural landmark dates to the early 1980s, when the firm was the main tenant and an equity investor in the 130,000-square-foot building. Hodgson Russ served as counsel to a major 1982 renovation project that has been credited with saving the building from the wrecking ball. The firm moved out of the Guaranty Building in 1995 to allow another tenant to expand, then returned as a tenant in 2002 prior to purchasing the building.

The Guaranty Building was designed by Louis Sullivan, known as the "Father of the Skyscraper," and constructed in 1894-95. Sullivan, a student of Frank Furness and mentor to Frank Lloyd Wright, is considered one of the most famous American architects of the 19th century. A pioneer of the tall office building, his theories paved the way for the emergence of the modern skyscraper. The architecture of Chicago and much of the Midwest was shaped by Sullivan's distinctive style.

With more than 225 attorneys practicing in all major areas of law, Hodgson Russ is among the 200 largest law firms headquartered in the United States. It is one of approximately 100 firms in the country listed in America's Greatest Places to Work With a Law Degree. In June 2005, Hodgson Russ received the Carol S. Knox Family-Friendly Employer Award from the Capital District Women's Bar Association. The firm, which was established in 1817 and is among the oldest law firms in the United States, is the only law firm that can count two former U.S. presidents, Millard Fillmore and Grover Cleveland, among its alumni. Hodgson Russ has offices in Albany, Buffalo, Johnstown, and New York, New York; Boca Raton, Florida; and Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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