Lazard Names European Investment Banking Leadership Team; Georges Ralli to Serve as Chief Executive, William Rucker as Deputy Chief Executive

Senior management of Lazard Europe will include Mr. Ralli, Mr.Rucker, Bruno Roger and Jeffrey Rosen. In addition, Erik Maris,Matthieu Pigasse and Antonio Weiss have been appointed as ViceChairmen of Lazard European Investment Banking, with senior managementresponsibilities in Europe.

"Georges is the right leader, and this is the right team, toaccelerate our growth in Europe," said Bruce Wasserstein, Chairman andChief Executive Officer of Lazard. "With these important steps, weintegrate our European investment banking business under clearleadership, and advance the next generation of management."

Mr. Ralli will continue as Chief Executive of Lazard Paris and Mr.Rucker will continue as Chief Executive of Lazard London. Mr. BrunoRoger also is Chairman of Global Investment Banking for Lazard andChairman of Lazard Paris. Mr. Rosen is a Deputy Chairman of Lazard.

"We have made great progress since our announcement last year ofplans to reorganize and unify our European investment bankingbusiness, based on clients and our expertise," said Mr. Ralli. "Thisreinforces Lazard's ability to conduct business as one firm throughoutEurope."

"I'm delighted to be working with Georges to build on our successto date across Europe, while continuing to lead London," said Mr.Rucker. "Lazard is distinct in its ability to offer our clientspremier advice through the combination of industry knowledge, localintelligence and geographic reach."

Lazard, one of the world's preeminent financial advisory and assetmanagement firms, operates from 29 cities across 16 countries in NorthAmerica, Europe, Asia, Australia and South America. With originsdating back to 1848, the firm provides services including mergers andacquisitions advice, asset management, corporate finance, andrestructuring advice to corporations, partnerships, institutions,governments, and individuals.

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