• October 3, 2013 |

    M&A confidence grows as mega deals fuel rise in global activity

    Lawyers are buoyed by growing boardroom confidence following a pick-up in global M&A activity during the last quarter, dominated by the rise of mega deals. The $130bn (£80.1bn) Vodafone-Verizon deal, which marked the largest US-based corporate deal on record since 2001, is largely responsible for making September the top month by deal values this year so far, pushing many of the law firms to take roles on the deal into the top 10 global advisers of the quarter by value, according to data from Mergermarket. The value of global M&A for Q1-3 this year totals $1,606.7bn (£989bn), a 5.5% increase on the same period in 2012, with 2013 on track to see the highest total since 2008. The recent stabilisation of the European economy is also reflected in M&A activity, with a 41.5% rise in deal values from Q3 2012 to Q3 2013.

    1 minute read

  • October 2, 2013 |

    Verizon advisers dominate as global deals show resurgence in Q3

    Advisers on the $130bn Vodafone-Verizon deal dominate the deal rankings for the third quarter of 2013, as global M&A values rise on the back of a spate of mega-mergers. Davis Polk & Wardwell, Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett take the top three slots in Mergermarket's quarterly rankings of global deal advisers by value after landing roles on the combination, one of the largest in corporate history.

    1 minute read

  • October 1, 2013 |

    Simpson Thacher and Nishimura & Asahi on board for KKR healthcare acquisition

    Simpson Thacher & Barlett and Japanese firm Nishimura & Asahi have won leading roles on private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis & Roberts & Co's acquisition of Panasonic Healthcare Co of Japan.

    1 minute read

  • September 26, 2013 |

    Simpson takes lead role as Alibaba looks to list in US

    Simpson Thacher & Bartlett has scored the lead role on Alibaba's US IPO following a decision by the world's largest online e-commerce company not to list in Hong Kong. Hangzhou-based Alibaba, whose plans for a Hong Kong IPO emerged earlier this year, is now expected to list in New York, which would allow the company founders to retain control over board nominations.

    1 minute read

  • September 25, 2013 |

    Dentons heads to Houston as it beefs up oil and gas network

    Dentons is to open its 79th global office in Houston, becoming the latest firm to add a local presence in the home of the US oil and gas industry.

    1 minute read

  • September 19, 2013 |

    Chinese meat giant recruits Simpson Thacher associate as GC ahead of Smithfields purchase

    Chinese meat processing giant Shuanghui International has hired Simpson Thacher & Bartlett senior associate Sandra Kister as its new general counsel. Kister, who previously worked in the corporate practice of the Wall Street firm, was recruited by Simpson Thacher in 2007. She worked in New York for two years before relocating to Asia to do a one-year public interest fellowship with not-for-profit organisation Grameen Foundation.

    1 minute read

  • September 19, 2013 |

    Switzerland three-year M&A overview

    An overview of the biggest deals in the US from the past three years, with mandates for Baker & McKenzie, Simmons & Simmons and Simpson Thacher and Bartlett.

    1 minute read

  • September 19, 2013 |

    In-depth: Switzerland

    Switzerland's legal and financial markets are undergoing rapid change, but local practitioners are taking developments in their stride

    1 minute read

  • September 17, 2013 |

    Paul Hastings, Simpson Thacher lead on Tenwow's $203m Hong Kong IPO

    Paul Hastings and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett have advised on the $203m (£127m) Hong Kong IPO of Chinese packaged food and beverage producer Tenwow International. The Shanghai-based company, which listed yesterday, said it will use the funds to expand into new regions throughout China, boost capacity at its existing production facilities and build new factories in Chengdu.

    1 minute read

  • September 13, 2013 |

    Proskauer adds Mayer Brown JSM funds partner in Asia growth drive

    Proskauer Rose has hired funds partner Yong Ren from Mayer Brown JSM as part of a wider plan by the US firm to enhance its capabilities in China and Hong Kong. Ren, who was previously with Mayer Brown in Hong Kong and has extensive experience in private equity fund formation in Asia, will join Proskauer in Beijing alongside the firm's other resident partner there Joseph Cha, also a funds specialist.

    1 minute read