Merrill Corporation to Acquire WordWave, Inc.

22 November 2005

Merrill Corporation, a leading global provider of technology-enabled services for the legal, financial, real estate and other corporate markets, today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire WordWave, Inc., a leading provider of litigation support, court reporting, captioning and transcription services for law firms, courts, governmental agencies and corporations worldwide. "We are very pleased about this acquisition and believe it will have a significant impact on Merrill's continuing strategic diversification and international expansion efforts," said John Castro, Chairman and CEO, Merrill Corporation. The acquisition expands Merrill's services, its geographic reach, and further solidifies its position as a premier solutions provider. The legal profession is experiencing change driven by technology, client demands and the regulatory environment. Merrill is expanding their solution set to meet the needs of the profession, and support the critical transition to streamlined business processes. "We are creating a company with an extensive suite of solutions for the legal profession and broad geographic coverage," said Al McNee, President, Document Management Services, Merrill Corporation. "This strategic acquisition enables us to provide clients with solutions for every phase of the litigation process -- from discovery to case resolution." Merrill has historically provided a wide range of solutions to help lawyers win cases and help law firms improve their efficiency and grow their practice. The purchase of WordWave provides additional legal products and services to Merrill's product offering. "WordWave is excited to be part of Merrill Corporation," stated Perry Solomon, President and CEO of WordWave, Inc. "Our clients, employees and reporters will get access to the expanded services, facilities and technologies that Merrill offers. Joining Merrill will allow us to pursue new opportunities and fulfill our managed litigation mission of helping our clients win cases by offering total litigation support from a single provider." This acquisition is Merrill's single largest strategic business transaction to date. WordWave is currently owned by Berkshire Partners LLC and Highland Capital Partners, both Massachusetts-based private equity firms. Specific details of the agreement have not been disclosed. The deal is expected to complete by December 31, 2005 and is subject to submission and approval of the governing regulatory agencies. About Merrill Corporation Founded in 1968, Merrill Corporation ( http://www.merrillcorp.com ) is a leading global provider of technology-enabled service solutions for the financial, legal, real estate and other corporate markets. Merrill combines deep industry expertise with superior service and infrastructure to deliver world-class document, brand marketing, print, fulfillment, language and e-business solutions. With more than 4,400 people in 60 locations, Merrill empowers the communications of the world's leading companies. Merrill Corporation's Document Management Services business ( http://www.merrillcorp.com/law ) is a leading provider of single-source document and information management solutions for legal and other professional services firms. Merrill's litigation support services, including electronic discovery and Web-based data repositories, delivers sophisticated technology solutions to enhance speed, efficiency and accuracy of the litigation process. Large-scale litigation copying and document imaging and coding are provided on a transactional basis. Professionally staffed and equipped Document Service Centers provide clients with comprehensive, on-site services tailored to their specifications, from basic copying, mailroom management and equipment leasing to complex, technology-based document services such as desktop publishing and electronic scanning. About WordWave, Inc. WordWave ( http://www.wordwave.com ) is a privately-held, international provider of litigation support, captioning and subtitling, and court reporting and transcription services. Services include simplifying and expediting information capture and creating an effective asset for law firms, media and entertainment companies, businesses, and public sector organizations around the world. WordWave is comprised of three business units, LegaLink, VITAC, and WordWave International, that leverage similar technologies, resources, and skill sets to capture, transcribe, and disseminate the spoken word across a range of industries. WordWave's litigation support division, LegaLink, ( http://www.legalink.com ) is the global leader in court reporting, legal videography, and trial services. LegaLink is the number one choice for clients involved in complex, high-stakes litigation, providing one-stop convenience, the best reporters in the business, and cutting-edge technology. With 30 offices and over 400 affiliates worldwide, LegaLink supports law firms and corporations wherever litigation takes them-all with the convenience of one call scheduling with their local office.

Source: PR Newswire

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