futureeconomic growth rose along with its annualized growth rateindicating imminent economic recovery

futureeconomic growth rose along with its annualized growth rate,indicating imminent economic recovery, a research group said onFriday. The Economic Cycle Research Institute, a New York-basedindependent forecasting group, said its Weekly Leading Indexticked up to a 13-week high of 107.7 for the week ending April24 from 107.2 in the previous week. The index’s annualized growth rate also climbed to minus17.4 percent from the prior week’s rate of minus 18.6 percent. “With the level of the WLI in an upswing for seven weeksnow, an end to the U.S. recession is now in clear sight,” saidLakshman Achuthan, managing director at ECRI.

The index level rose because of lower interest rates andhigher commodity prices and was partly offset by lower stockprices, Achuthan said. (Reporting by Camille Drummond; Editing by Padraic Cassidy) Bonds  |  Global Markets Bonds Global Markets. NEW YORK–(Business Wire)–Robert Bodianhas been named firm-wide Managing Memberof Mintz, Levin, Cohn,Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, PC, marking the first time the 76-year-oldinternational firm has had its managing member based outside of Boston, the firmannounced today For the past eight years, Mr. Bodian has served as Managing Member and head ofthe litigation section in the New York office, which has grown to nearly 90attorneys, and one of the top 100 law offices in New York, since beingestablished in 2000. He succeeds Andrew Urban, who served for five years as thefirm`s Managing Member and who will now serve as Vice Chairman of the firm Mr.Urban and Mr Bodian will assume their new positions on July 1.

“Over the past several years, Mintz Levin has experienced an exciting period ofgrowth and strategic expansion, both geographically and in key practice areas,”said Mr Bodian. “This has created a strong foundation from which to continue tobuild, put us in a solid position to move forward regardless of the economicenvironment, and created a platform that will continue to enable us to expandrelationships by demonstrating even greater value and flexibility to clients.I`m delighted for the opportunity to work with my partners and the firm`sleadership team to advance our plans and take advantage of the opportunitiesbefore us.” “Nearly ten years ago, Mintz Levin made a strategic decision to establish asignificant presence in New York to strengthen, in particular, our corporate andlitigation practices and deepen relationships within the financial community,”said R Robert Popeo, the firm`s long time Chairman. “As managing member of theoffice, Bob has played a key role in the growth and success of this effort,helping to attract talented attorneys, raise our visibility in the market andbuild robust practices in a number of important areas. His leadershipexperience, entrepreneurial attitude, vision and the respect he enjoysthroughout the firm will be invaluable as we enter the firm`s next chapter.” Mr. Popeo added, “On behalf of the firm, I want to thank Andy Urban for histireless efforts and leadership over the last five years and look forward to themany contributions he will continue to make in his new role as Vice Chairman.” Prior to joining Mintz Levin in 2000, Mr Bodian was a partner at O`Sullivan,Graev & Karabell For 13 years prior to joining O`Sullivan, Mr. Bodian ran theboutique litigation firm Bodian & Eames, which he and Mr. Eames began afterspending 5 years as associates at Simpson Thacher and Bartlett.

Bob has servedas head of Mintz Levin`s litigation department in New York since joining in2000, as office Managing Member since 2001 and as a member of the firm`s PolicyCommittee since 2001 An experienced litigator, clients have come to rely on Mr Bodian for hisjudgment, tenacity and calm demeanor Mr. Bodian has an extensive background inthe areas of employment and commercial disputes, financial services, insurance,securities, real estate and banking. He provides counsel to a broad range ofdomestic and foreign clients, including several Fortune 500 companies, majorinsurance companies, leading investment banks, private equity firms, and capitalmanagement companies, as well as the executives of such companies. He has triedthrough verdict numerous jury and non-jury trials in both federal and statecourts and arbitral forums throughout the country Mr Bodian was named a 2006,2007 and 2008 New York Super Lawyer Mr. Bodian is admitted to practice in New York, and before the U.S Court ofAppeals and the U.S District Courts, Southern and Eastern Districts of NewYork He earned his B.S. in accounting, summa cum laude, from the StateUniversity of New York at Binghamton, and his J.D from Stanford Law School. Heis a member of The Association of the Bar of the City of New York, the New YorkState Bar Association, American Bar Association and the Litigation Section ofthe New York County Bar Association.