CELEBRATED TRIAL ATTORNEY ROY BLACK NAMED MANAGING PARTNER OF 'THE LAW FIRM,' NBC'S NEW ALTERNATIVE DRAMA SERIES FROM EMMY-WINNING PRODUCER DAVID E. KELLEY

BURBANK, Calif. -- October 5, 2004 -- Premier trial attorney and legal analyst Roy Black will be the managing partner of "The Law Firm," NBC's eight-episode alternative drama series that features real lawyers competing against each other while trying real court cases with judges and juries, resulting in outcomes that will be final, legal and binding. Multiple Emmy Award winner David E. Kelley ("The Practice," "Ally McBeal," "L.A. Law") serves as an executive producer, along with David Garfinkle ("Surreal Life," "Blind Date"), Jay Renfroe ("Surreal Life," "Blind Date") and Jonathan Pontell ("Ally McBeal," "Boston Public").

As managing partner, Black will decide which of the twelve "legal eagles" will be eliminated each week. The top attorney will receive a prize of $250,000. The lawyers will be trying cases ranging from neighbor disputes to First Amendment issues to wrongful death. Distinguished judges will be deciding cases, sometimes with the aid of a jury.

A renowned criminal defense and civil lawyer with more than 35 years of experience, Black has represented such high-profile clients as William Kennedy Smith, Rush Limbaugh and artist Peter Max. Black serves as senior partner of the Miami-based law firm of Black, Srebnick, Kornspan & Stumpf, P.A., and his responsibilities as managing partner of "The Law Firm" haven't interfered with his busy practice. In addition, he currently serves as an NBC News legal analyst, appearing regularly on "The Today Show" and other NBC and MSNBC news programs. He was recently selected by his peers for the fifth consecutive edition (a span of 10 years) for inclusion in "The Best Lawyers in America 2003-2004."

Black has also taught advanced criminal evidence at the University of Miami School of Law for over 30 years, and is the author of "Black's Law," a book that recounts the strategies he employed to safeguard the freedom of four clients.

"The Law Firm" is produced by Renegade 83, Inc. and will be distributed by 20th Century Fox Television.