Contact: Matt Batters
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
+1 212 492 4156

New York, December 19, 2002 - Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu's Tax practice has been ranked #1 in Euromoney Legal Media Group's 2002 World's Leading Tax Adviser Survey. In addition to attaining this global honor, Deloitte's national practices also topped the ranks in the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, Hong Kong, and Japan. The results of the bi-annual survey are compiled from responses to 5,000 questionnaires sent to in-house tax experts and chief financial officers at the world's leading international corporations and financial institutions.

"As with any business, continued success is possible only through maintaining a high level of client satisfaction," said Jerry Leamon, Global Managing Partner, Tax and Legal Services for Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. "Over the last year, our Tax practice has grown remarkably, and during this period we have focused on creating robust new client service capabilities. This survey is a strong indication that we are on the right track."

"In today's highly competitive marketplace, creating strong, value-driven relationships with our clients is essential to achieving our strategic vision," notes Jerry Leamon. "At the heart of this effort are our practitioners, delivering world class service to our clients. This survey provides invaluable feedback that our organization is creating and maintaining these kinds of business relationships."

James E. Copeland, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu said, "This honor shows the progress we are making in achieving our vision of being recognized as the best professional services firm in world."
 
The research process for the 2002 World's Leading Tax Adviser Survey's spanned 18 months polling senior tax officials in over 60 jurisdictions, coupled with six months of interviews with in-house counsel and pre-eminent practitioners. Rankings were based on the number of individual partner nominations received.  Deloitte had the most nominations of any firm, both overall, and in the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, Hong Kong, and Japan.

To view the results of the survey or to obtain a copy of this year's Guide to the World's Leading Tax Adviser visit the Euromoney web site at www.euromoney.com. The publication will be available online the first week of January 2003.

About Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is one of the world's leading professional services organizations. The member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu deliver world-class assurance and advisory, tax, and consulting services.  With more than 100,000 people in over 140 countries, the member firms serve over one-half of the world's largest companies, as well as large national enterprises, public institutions, and successful, fast-growing global growth companies. Our internationally experienced professionals strive to deliver seamless, consistent services wherever our clients operate. Our mission is to help our clients and our people excel.
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is a Swiss Verein, and each of its national practices is a separate and independent legal entity.