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NEW YORK--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Lazard Ltd (NYSE: LAZ) announced today that Edward M. Yorke has joined the firm as a Managing Director, Financial Advisory, and Head of North America Financial Sponsors. Based in New York, he will work closely with Fotis Hasiotis, Head of European Financial Sponsors in London. Mr. Yorke joins from Credit Suisse, where he was a Managing Director and Vice Chairman, Investment Banking, Americas.

Having worked with financial sponsors for more than 20 years, Mr. Yorke has advised on numerous transactions involving private equity, including leveraged buyouts, sales, IPOs and recapitalizations. He joined Credit Suisse in 2000 following the merger of Credit Suisse First Boston with Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, where he was Co-Head of the Financial Sponsors Group. He was a Principal at Apollo Management and Lion Advisors for six years, and began his investment banking career at Drexel Burnham in 1986.

Mr. Yorke holds a B.S. in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from the New York University School of Law.

About Lazard

Lazard, one of the world's preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms, operates from 42 cities across 27 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Central and South America. With origins dating back to 1848, the firm provides advice on mergers and acquisitions, strategic matters, restructuring and capital structure, capital raising and corporate finance, as well as asset management services to corporations, partnerships, institutions, governments and individuals. For more information on Lazard, please visit [ www.lazard.com ].