BAIRD RAISES MORE THAN $40,000 FOR DEANNA FAVRE HOPE FOUNDATION

Deanna Favre unveils "4 HOPE" tie at Baird luncheon

MILWAUKEE, Sept. 24, 2007 - Baird, an employee-owned international wealth management, capital markets, asset management and private equity firm, raised more than $40,000 for the Deanna Favre HOPE Foundation at a luncheon at the Italian Community Center today. More than 500 Baird associates, clients and business partners attended the event.  Deanna Favre was a guest speaker and officially launched her "4 HOPE" necktie to promote awareness of and support for breast cancer education and state-of-the-art breast imaging and diagnostic services for women, especially those who are medically underserved.  Every guest at the luncheon received a 4 HOPE tie, compliments of Baird.

This is the second fundraising effort between Baird and the Deanna Favre HOPE Foundation. Last December, Baird, one of the FORTUNEŽ 100 Best Companies to Work For, made a $10,000 contribution to the foundation during a Baird luncheon at Lambeau Field.

"We are proud to partner with the Deanna Favre HOPE Foundation in its mission to provide breast cancer education and diagnostic services to all women," said Mike Schroeder, Director of Baird's Private Wealth Management Group. "This event gives Baird associates, clients and business partners, many of whom have been impacted firsthand by this terrible disease, an opportunity to raise awareness about breast cancer and show their support for those fighting it."

"Every woman battling breast cancer has a right to access the treatments that are available," said Deanna Favre, CEO/President of the Deanna Favre HOPE Foundation. "Baird's efforts will enable the HOPE Foundation to provide financial assistance to those women who are medically underserved and who would otherwise not have that access."

Alonzo P. Walker, M.D., Director of the Froedert and Medical College Breast Care Center, also spoke at the event about advances in treatment and therapies to address breast cancer, and the importance of early detection.

Core to Baird's culture is a commitment to the communities in which its associates live and work. This caring commitment is a tradition built through the efforts of the firm, the Baird Foundation and the volunteer activities of Baird associates.

About Baird
Baird is an employee-owned, international wealth management, capital markets, private equity and asset management firm with offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. Established in 1919, Baird has nearly 2,200 associates serving the needs of individual, corporate, institutional and municipal clients. Baird oversees and manages client assets of nearly $74 billion. Committed to being a great place to work, Baird was recognized as one of the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work ForŽ in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Baird's principal operating subsidiaries are Robert W. Baird & Co. in the United States and Robert W. Baird Group Ltd. in Europe. Baird also has an operating subsidiary in Asia supporting Baird's private equity operations. For more information, please visit Baird's Web site at www.rwbaird.com.

About the Deanna Favre HOPE Foundation
The mission of the Deanna Favre HOPE Foundation is to provide assistance to women who are underserved or underinsured in their battle against breast cancer. For more information, and to purchase the new 4 HOPE neck tie, please visit the Foundation's Web site at: http://www.deannafavre4hope.com/.

About Deanna Favre
Deanna Favre, wife of Green Bay Packers quarterback, Brett Favre, was unwittingly thrust into the national spotlight, when in the fall of 2004, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Coming fast on the heels of the highly-publicized death of Brett's father, Irvin, and the unexpected loss of her younger brother, Casey, Deanna's diagnosis made her a reluctant celebrity overnight. Three years later and cancer-free, Deanna has turned tragedy into triumph. As the founder of the Deanna Favre HOPE Foundation, she now travels the country speaking on the importance of early diagnosis and raising funds to provide diagnostic services, education, and financial support for women who are "medically underserved." Deanna's first book, Don't Bet Against Me! (Beating The Odds Against Breast Cancer and In Life), releases Oct. 1.