Leading international law firm, Clifford Chance today announces it is advising CHAMP Private Equity (CHAMP) on its acquisition of the UK business of Constellation Brands, Inc. (CBI), one of the world’s leading wine companies.

Ashurst is advising Nomura International, Morgan Stanley International and SEB Enskilda on their role in the Kingdom of Sweden’s sale of 255 million shares in Nordea Bank, the Nordic region’s largest lender. At SEK 74.5 per share, proceeds of 19 billion kronor (US$2.94 billion) were raised by way of an accelerated bookbuild directed at Swedish and international institutional investors.

A cross-practice Orrick team advised EIF Renewable Energy Holdings in the acquisition of Innovative Energy Systems, a privately-held company that owns and operates a portfolio of 11 landfill gas-to-energy projects in New York and Vermont.  The projects generate 72 megawatts of renewable energy, enough to meet the needs of over 42,000 homes. 

The Firm is representing J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Evercore Partners as financial advisors to Sanofi-Aventis in its acquisition of Genzyme for $74 per share in cash, a transaction valued at approximately $20.1 billion.

Pryor Cashman represented Marina Biotech, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRNA) in a firm commitment underwritten public offering of approximately $5.1 million of common stock and warrants, which closed on February 15, 2011. Roth Capital Partners served as the sole manager for the offering.

The international law firm Clifford Chance advised IVG Immobilien AG on its capital increase against contribution in cash from authorised capital, excluding any pre-emptive rights. Deutsche Bank and UBS were the joint lead managers and joint book runners of the transaction. Since 16 February 2011, the news shares are quoted on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in the prime standard segment. The emission volume is at around 90 million Euros.

Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP has advised Raiffeisen Bank International AG (RBI) on the €490 million acquisition of a 70% share in Polbank EFG (Polbank), the Polish banking business branch of the Greek bank EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. (EFG).

SNR Denton announced today that the firm advised Hybrid Air Vehicles Limited on its participation in the US$517 million LEMV program.

Simpson Thacher represented ACE Cash Express, Inc. (“ACE Cash Express”), a portfolio company of JLL Partners, in connection with its Rule 144A and Regulation S offering of $350 million aggregate principal amount of 11% Senior Secured Notes due 2019. ACE Cash Express used a portion of the proceeds from the offering, along with cash on hand, to fund its cash tender offer for all of its outstanding $175 million 10.25% Senior Notes due 2014. ACE Cash Express used the remaining proceeds to repay a portion of its borrowings under its asset-backed revolving credit facility (“ABL Credit Facility”), repay in full and terminate its term loan and pay related fees and expenses.