Annual League Tables Underscore Firm’s Strong Growth in Difficult Times

LOS ANGELES – March 31, 2010 – Houlihan Lokey, an international investment bank, is pleased to announce the firm’s rankings as the No. 1 M&A advisor for U.S. transactions under $3 billion, the No. 1 investment banking restructuring advisor, and the No. 1 M&A fairness opinion advisor over the past 10 years, according to 2009 league tables.

Despite unprecedented turmoil in the financial markets, Houlihan Lokey’s global expansion and domestic growth has kept the firm at the top of the closely watched rankings in many areas. The firm also has continued to hire key investment bankers throughout the downturn of 2008-09.

“Our expertise and execution have delivered impressive results for our clients, regardless of market conditions,” said Scott Beiser, Co-CEO of Houlihan Lokey. “The 2009 league tables simply reflect the fact that we are aggressive, and we are growing, and we expect that to continue well into the new decade,” added Co- CEO Jeffrey Werbalowsky.

Houlihan Lokey also is ranked the No. 1 advisor for all U.S. transactions in several industries, including:  Business Services; Consumer, Food & Retail; Industrials; Infrastructure, Services & Materials; Real Estate, Lodging & Leisure; and Technology.

The league tables are compiled by The Deal Pipeline for restructuring assignments, and Thomson Reuters for M&A engagements and fairness opinions, based on number of transactions. In December 2009, International Financing Review named Houlihan Lokey the “Restructuring House of the Year” and The M&A Advisor tapped the company as “Investment Banking Firm of the Year.”