Contact: David Carew
(615) 661-0249
ext. 8077
dcarew@mleesmith.com

M. Lee Smith Publishers LLC Acquires California-Based The Labor Letters, Inc.

Acquisition Unites America's Two Leading Publishers of State-Specific Employment Law Newsletters and Related Information Products for Human Resources Professionals

BRENTWOOD, TN, January 2, 2001 - In a deal culminating months of intense negotiations between two major players in the employment law communications field, Nashville area-based M. Lee Smith Publishers has acquired The Labor Letters, Inc., a Hermosa Beach, California corporation that produces 26 state-specific employment law newsletters, conferences, and seminars. Full terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

In accordance with the agreement, M. Lee Smith Publishers, which publishes a state-specific employment law newsletter for all 50 states, will assimilate The Labor Letters' subscribers into its own subscriber base.

"Even before this acquisition, M. Lee Smith Publishers was the nation's largest provider of state-specific employment law content for human resources professionals," said M. Lee Smith, Chairman and Publisher of M. Lee Smith Publishers. "This acquisition solidifies our company's role as the dominant provider for the HR market. It allows us to fold Labor Letters' subscribers into our service in 26 states."

"For more than 10 years, our company and The Labor Letters, Inc. have been friendly competitors," said M. Lee Smith. "I'm very pleased that we now have joined ranks."

The first newsletters to be received by former Labor Letters subscribers will be published by M. Lee Smith Publishers in January 2001.

About M. Lee Smith Publishers LLC
Founded in 1975 by Tennessee attorney M. Lee Smith, M. Lee Smith Publishers LLC today is one of America's leading providers of employment law newsletters and other information products and services for human resources professionals, attorneys, and other business professionals. The company produces 130 publications, including 50 state-specific employment law newsletters, as well as guidebooks, videos, software, and Internet-based research services.

Review copies of newsletters and other information products are available to the media. M. Lee Smith is available for interviews and features. For additional information or to schedule an interview, please call David Carew at (615) 661-0249, ext. 8077 or e-mail dcarew@mleesmith.com.