GUNSTER YOAKLEY ELECTS CLEMENTE VAZQUEZ-BELLO
TO THE FIRM’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Firm Makes Significant Change in Governance
As It Boosts Its Statewide and Hispanic Market Growth

Miami, Fla. — April 1, 2008 — Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart, P.A., one of Florida’s largest full-service law firms, recently elected Miami Shareholder Clemente Vazquez-Bello to its Board of Directors. Vazquez-Bello, who is Cuban-American, joins Gunster Yoakley Chairman George LeMieux, Managing Shareholder Hugh W. “Bill” Perry, and Board members Michael Mitrione, Linda Conahan and Robert Hackelman. The diverse leadership team will direct and oversee Gunster Yoakley’s growth throughout Florida and target Hispanic markets where clients have interests.

Upon being named Chairman, George LeMieux commented, “Gunster Yoakley has a more than 80 year history of providing exceptional legal services to significant businesses and prominent individuals throughout Florida.  With the recent changes of our leadership, comes an overall refocusing on our structure and philosophy to more closely mirror the companies with whom we do business. This new approach will give the Firm greater strength to help propel its statewide growth initiatives.”

The Firm has also recently enhanced its Miami Banking and Financial Services practice with the election of Cuban-American associate Andres Fernandez to Shareholder.   Vazquez-Bello notes:  “Andy’s election to Shareholder is a reflection of the continuing growth of the Firm’s Banking Financial Services Practice throughout Florida, and Miami in particular.  We are pleased to have such a fine up-and-coming lawyer as a Shareholder of the Firm.”

A member of Gunster Yoakley’s Corporate Department and the Banking and Financial Practice Group, Vazquez-Bello focuses on banking and commercial law, BSA compliance and money laundering-related matters and international law. He is well known in U.S. and international banking circles for his long-standing career as counsel to domestic and foreign banks and has developed substantial skill in the development and implementation of policies, procedures, programs and systems to prevent, detect and react to the movement of illicit capital vis-à-vis U.S. laws and regulations. In addition, Vazquez-Bello has regularly counseled banking and financial institution clients in domestic and international licensing, regulatory and transactional matters.

Vazquez-Bello has served as General Counsel to the Florida International Bankers Association (FIBA) and is currently a member of FIBA’s Board of Directors.  He is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Cuban-American Bar Association.  He is also a member of the Bank Secrecy Act Advisory Group of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) for the Department of the Treasury.

Vazquez-Bello, who is a frequent speaker to a variety of prominent regional, national and international organizations, co-authored The Florida Bar manual “Banking Operations, International Transactions” in 1998. He earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law, cum laude, in 1974.

Fernandez earned a Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University in 1999.  He is a member of FIBA, the South Florida Banking Institute, and Honorary Director of the Latin Builders Association.  Fernandez is a frequent speaker at banks and conferences on bank regulatory compliance matters.

About Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart

Gunster Yoakley, established in 1925, offers a broad range of legal services to its impressive client base of businesses, institutions, local governments, and prominent individuals.Gunster Yoakley, established in 1925, offers a broad range of legal services to its impressive client base of businesses, institutions, local governments, and prominent individuals.  Gunster Yoakley has offices in Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Palm Beach, Stuart, Tallahassee, Vero Beach and West Palm Beach. Gunster Yoakley is home to more than 130 attorneys and over 200 dedicated support staff providing counsel to clients through numerous practice groups including corporate, litigation, real estate, and trusts and estates. For more information, visit www.gunster.com or call (800) 749-1980.