MINNEAPOLIS – (Oct. 25, 2004) – The Minneapolis-based law firm, Foley & Mansfield PLLP, announced the opening of offices in New York today at 545 Madison Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10022; phone (212) 421-0436; fax (212) 421-0539.

“The expansion to New York will allow Foley & Mansfield to more efficiently meet our clients’ needs as they arise in the East Coast,” said Kyle Mansfield, founding partner. “Our contacts, resources and presence in New York and nearby jurisdictions allow us to keep abreast of new developments in those venues and understand first-hand how these affect our clients.”

James J. Lotz is the managing partner of Foley & Mansfield’s New York office. Lotz’ practice focuses on commercial litigation, commercial finance, corporate transactions and bankruptcy. He also practices in product liability, toxic tort and mass litigation, and employment law.

Previously, Lotz served as general counsel for Keene Corporation and as senior legal counsel for several large U.S. companies including H.K. Porter Company, and Owens Corning. In those positions, he had extensive experience in mass tort and environmental litigation and corporate transactions. Lotz was also in-house counsel for the Porter and Keene bankruptcy reorganizations and a senior vice president for professional liability claims at American International Group (AIG). Prior to his in-house legal career, he served as a U.S. and state public attorney in the 70s and 80s, and as an instructor in Business Law, Real Estate Law and Personal Law.

Lotz is admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court, and the New York and Pennsylvania State, US District and Supreme Courts. He received his Juris Doctorate from Duquesne University School of Law.

Foley & Mansfield, founded in 1989 and based in Minneapolis, began as a two-person and has since grown to 75 attorneys with offices in Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, St. Louis and San Francisco. It represents large corporations, small businesses and individuals. Practice groups include Catastrophic Loss (i.e. fires, explosions), Commercial Practice and Litigation, Commercial Finance and Corporate Transactions, Construction, Employment Law, Environmental and Pollution Law, General Liability and Civil Litigation, Insurance Coverage and Litigation, Intellectual Property, Maritime and Inland Marine, Probate and Trust Litigation, Pro Bono, Product Liability, and Toxic Tort and Mass Litigation.

For more information call (612) 338-8878 and visit www.foleymansfield.com.