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Middle market deal volume and valuations held steady in Q4

Feb 17, 2009

Morris Hardwick Schneider names five new partnersMortgagePress.comMorris Hardwick Schneider, Michael Pierce, Fred Boynton, Dean Talaganis, Howard Delashmit, partners Atlanta-based Morris|Hardwick|Schneider, one of the largest real estate closing law firms in the country, recently announced that five attorneys have been named partner: Michael Pierce, Fred Boynton, Dean Talaganis and Howard Delashmit have been promoted to partner, while Shell Rutledge joined M|H|S as partner. "M|H|S strives to put the right people in the right roles to ensure that our clients receive an exceptional level of service," said Nat Hardwick, M|H|S managing partner. "Michael, Fred, Dean and Howard have proven themselves capable of handling the additional responsibilities of being partners. Im as excited to announce their promotions as I am to welcome Shell to our firm as a partner, who has equally distinguished himself in our profession." Pierce managed one of the firms offices prior to assuming his role as counsel for the firm. With experience in numerous aspects of real estate law such as residential closings, tax assessment appeals, and zoning and land use, his practice is now devoted to internal firm legal matters. Pierce joined M|H|S in 2001. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and a bachelors degree from the Pennsylvania State University. He has served on the board of directors of the Georgia Real Estate Fraud Prevention and Awareness Coalition since 2006. Pierce has also served as counsel to the Georgia Association of Mortgage Brokers. He is the firms liaison to the Georgia Real Estate Closing Attorneys Association and is a member of the Real Property Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia and the American Land Title Association. Boynton will serve as a partner in the firms Dunwoody Perimeter office. In addition to his role as partner, he is general counsel for the firm. Boynton practices in the areas of real estate litigation, real estate brokerage law, commercial real estate and corporate law. Boynton joined M|H|S in 2002. He received a Juris Doctor degree from Tulane University School of Law and graduated with high honors from The Citadel. After law school, he served for three years in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate Generals Corps. He currently serves as legal counsel for the Atlanta Board of REALTORS, the Atlanta Commercial Board of REALTORS and the Cobb Association of REALTORS. Boynton is a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association of Georgia, the Real Property Law Section and the Administrative Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia. He is a former Chairman of the Administrative Law Section. Talaganis is district president for M|H|S Ohio operations and managing attorney for the firms Cleveland office. He focuses his practice on REO closings. In addition, Dean routinely accepts speaking and writing engagements to educate the REO community. He regularly lectures about matters related to title insurance, foreclosure, collections and ethics. Dean also took an active role in working as a liaison between REO sellers and Cleveland-area residents seeking affordable housing through the Hough Initiative. Talaganis joined M|H|S in 2005. He received a Juris Doctor degree from Capital University Law School and a bachelors degree from Youngstown State University. Talaganis is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Ohio Land Title Association. Delashmit currently serves as managing attorney of the Cartersville office in addition to his new role as partner. His practice is focused on conventional residential closings. In addition, Delashmit has years of experience assisting REALTORS and builders in the Atlanta community. Delashmit joined M|H|S in 1998. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from Emory University School of Law, where he was awarded the Emory University School of Law Distinguished Service Award. He received a bachelors degree from Georgia Institute of Technology. Delashmit is a member of Georgia Real Estate Closing Attorneys Association and the Real Property Law Section of the Georgia Bar. Previously, Delashmit was a licensed real estate associate in Georgia and served as general counsel for a major Atlanta real estate company for nine years. Rutledge joins M|H|S as partner in charge of the firms national default operations. He has more than 10 years experience practicing foreclosure, creditors rights and real estate law prior to joining M|H|S. Rutledge earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Georgia and a bachelors degree from Emory University. He is a member of the Real Property Law and Creditors Rights Sections of the Georgia Bar and the Georgia Real Estate Closing Attorneys Association. Shell holds an appointment as special assistant attorney general for the state of Georgia and is a frequent instructor and lecturer for title associations and legal education programs. For more information, visit www.closingsource.net
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