Davis Polk is advising Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Limited as sole sponsor and joint financial adviser to Imperial Tobacco Group PLC on its $7.1 billion acquisition of U.S. cigarette brands Winston, Maverick, Kool, Salem and U.S. and international e-cigarette blu, plus other assets, from Reynolds American Inc. as part of its $27.4 billion acquisition of Lorillard Inc. A circular seeking shareholder approval of the transaction was published by Imperial Tobacco on December 15, 2014. The transaction, which is expected to close in the first half of 2015, is subject to shareholder and certain regulatory approvals.

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC is a multi-national tobacco company, with international strength in cigarettes and world leadership in fine cut tobacco, premium cigars, rolling papers and tubes. Reynolds American Inc., is the parent company of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, the second-largest U.S. tobacco company, and American Snuff Company, LLC, Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, Inc., Niconovum USA, Inc., Niconovum AB and R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company. R.J. Reynolds’ brands include two of the best-selling cigarettes in the U.S.: Camel and Pall Mall. Lorillard, Inc., through its Lorillard Tobacco Company subsidiary, is the third-largest manufacturer of cigarettes in the United States. Founded in 1760, Lorillard Tobacco is the oldest continuously operating tobacco company in the U.S. and Newport, Lorillard’s flagship premium cigarette brand, is the top-selling menthol and second-largest selling cigarette in the United States.

The Davis Polk corporate team includes partners Will Pearce and Leonard Kreynin and associate Nick Gilling. Partner Jonathan Cooklin and associate Dominic Foulkes are providing tax advice. All members of the Davis Polk team are based in the London and New York offices.