Andrews Kurth LLP is one of only two law firms named to receive the 2008 CEO Diversity Leadership Award. The award is presented annually by Diversity Best Practices (DBP) to recognize leadership and commitment to inclusion and opportunities for all. DBP, the nation's preeminent organization for diversity thought leaders, will present the award to Bob Jewell and seven other recipients at a gala dinner in Washington, DC on November 13, 2008.

"I am very pleased to accept this award on behalf of the entire Andrews Kurth work force," says Bob Jewell, Managing Partner. "Diversity and inclusion are core values of our firm. This award recognizes the significance of our commitment to this important strategy."

In selecting the award winners, the Diversity Best Practices Leadership Award Committee seeks to recognize leading organizations that are "best in class" based on rigorous diversity leadership standards and criteria. DBP provides a number of opportunities for leaders to share best practices and develop innovative solutions to better implement, measure and strengthen corporate diversity programs.

The other recipients of the 2008 CEO Diversity Leadership Award are:

-- AAA of Northern California, Nevada and Utah

-- Campbell Soup Company

-- Deere & Company

-- Proctor & Gamble Company

-- Prudential Financial, Inc.

-- Siemens Corporation USA

-- Carlton Fields, Attorneys at Law

Previous winners of the Diversity Leadership Award include The Coca Cola Company, Johnson Controls, Inc., Kaiser Permanente, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and Wachovia Corporation.

In addition to the award Bob Jewell will receive, Elizabeth Campbell, Partner and Chief Diversity Officer, will be presented with the Diversity Officer Leadership Award (DOLA). The DOLA award is presented by DBP annually to those individuals who innovate, inspire, and work above and across corporate borders to strengthen and grow the entire diversity sector. The honorees are acknowledged for providing extraordinary support to their leadership to implement outstanding diversity and inclusion programs from the top.

"It is an honor for me to be recognized by an organization that has done so much to elevate the business case for diversity and inclusion and to advance our field by creating opportunities for professionals to share their experiences," says Elizabeth Campbell. "I am grateful that my work with Andrews Kurth has been deemed worthy of such a recognition."

About Diversity Best Practices

Diversity Best Practices (DBP), based in Washington, DC, is the preeminent organization for diversity thought leaders to share best practices and develop innovative solutions for culture change. Through research, benchmarking, publications and events, DBP provides its members with valued resources, information and strategies on how to implement, grow, measure and create "first in class" diversity programs. Diversity Best Practices is a subsidiary of Working Mother Media. For more information visit: diversitybestpractices.com

About Andrews Kurth LLP

For more than a century, Andrews Kurth has built its practice on the belief that "straight talk is good business." Real answers, clear vision and mutual respect define the firm's relationships with clients, colleagues, communities and employees. With more than 400 lawyers and offices in Austin, Beijing, Dallas, Houston, London, Los Angeles, New York, The Woodlands and Washington, DC, Andrews Kurth represents a wide array of clients in all areas of business law. For more information about Andrews Kurth, please visit andrewskurth.com.

Contacts:

Ashley Ronald, Andrews Kurth

713.220.4410 (office) | 713.204.0255 (mobile)