Global law firm White & Case LLP advised the lenders on the financing of an innovative €1.9 billion public-private partnership (PPP) to build and operate an electronic truck tolling system for French roads. The French Eco-tax project, as it is called, will use satellite tracking to charge trucks and other heavy vehicles using non-toll national roads. The project is expected to be fully operational nationally by 2013, following a three-month trial period in France’s Alsace region.

Patton Boggs LLP has added five new partners and one senior counsel to the firm’s offices across the U.S., reinforcing its Business, Public Policy, Litigation and Intellectual Property practices. The additions include Partner Clark Kent Ervin in Washington; Partner Darren W. Collins in Dallas; Partners Mark C. Errico and Mark D. Sheridan in Newark; Partner Wendy Li and Senior Counsel Robert Rosenberg in New York.

CMS has agreed that Portuguese law firm Rui Pena, Arnaut & Associados (RPA) will become a member of CMS.  From 1 January 2012, the firm will be called CMS Rui Pena & Arnaut (CMS RPA). The CMS Executive Committee agreed the expansion last week.

Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBST) and Adolor Corporation (NASDAQ: ADLR) today announced that they have signed a definitive agreement under which Cubist will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Adolor for $4.25 per share in cash, or approximately [$190] million on a fully-diluted basis, net of Adolor’s third quarter 2011 cash balance. In addition to the upfront cash payment, each Adolor stockholder will receive one Contingent Payment Right (CPR), entitling the holder to receive additional cash payments of up to $4.50 for each share they own if certain regulatory approvals and/or commercialization milestones of ADL5945 are achieved. The total transaction is valued at up to [$415] million, net of Adolor’s third quarter 2011 cash balance, and is expected to be accretive in 2012.