It’s Official: Locke Lord, Edwards Wildman Combination Launched; Locke Lord Edwards Expands Global Reach, Enhances Client Services

Monday, January 12, 2015

Locke Lord LLP and Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP have officially merged, creating Locke Lord Edwards, a firm with more than 1,000 lawyers in 23 cities around the world as well as a combined history of more than 125 years. With joined revenues, it will be among American Lawyer’s Top 50 U.S. law firms.

The two firms first announced they had signed a Letter of Intent in September, and in early December announced that the Partners of each predecessor firm approved the merger. The legacy firms each have experience with mergers and will use their successes to propel the combined Firm forward. More >>

Tags:  Locke Lord LLP

Dechert Advises MWI on US$2.5 Billion Sale to AmerisourceBergen

Monday, January 12, 2015

AmerisourceBergen (NYSE:ABC) and MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. (NASDAQ:MWIV) today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement for AmerisourceBergen to acquire MWI Veterinary Supply (MWI), the leading animal health distribution company in the United States. A team from Dechert LLP is advising MWIV on this matter. Under the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, AmerisourceBergen, through a new wholly-owned subsidiary, will make an all cash tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of MWI at a price of US$190.00 per share, representing a US$2.5 billion fully diluted equity value. The full press release is available here. More >>

Tags:  Dechert LLP | Philadelphia

Cooley Launches in London

Monday, January 12, 2015

Cooley LLP, a leading technology and life sciences US law firm, announced today that it has launched a UK practice in London. Cooley’s new office will include 20 partners and more than 55 lawyers and other professionals in total.

“Cooley plans to make a big impact in London,” said Joe Conroy, Cooley’s chief executive officer. “We have brought together partners who are the very best in their fields, and who share our values and approach to achieving success for our global client base. From our San Francisco and Silicon Valley roots, we have grown to 850 lawyers, solving complex business and litigation issues for the world’s most dynamic companies.” More >>

Tags:  Cooley LLP | London

Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. to Open Waukesha County Office; Expands Corporate and Environmental Teams

Friday, January 9, 2015

The law firm of Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. (WHD) is pleased to announce that it has plans to open a new office in Waukesha County. Final terms of the lease are still in process. The full-service corporate and litigation office complements its three current locations: Milwaukee and Madison, Wis., and Chicago. To lead the firm’s new location, two of Waukesha County’s preeminent corporate and environmental attorneys, Timothy A. Nettesheim and Donald P. Gallo, respectively, have been hired and will join the firm’s integrated corporate and environmental law practice. Nettesheim is a 33-year veteran of business law and tax practices, and Gallo, who is also a licensed registered engineer, has more than 30 years of experience specializing in environmental engineering and law. More >>

Prominent Entertainment Boutique Joins Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Friday, January 9, 2015

The lawyers of the boutique law firm Wyman & Isaacs LLP have joined Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, bringing expanded expertise and services to Davis Wright’s nationally renowned entertainment and media practice.

Bruce Isaacs and Bob Wyman come to the firm’s L.A. office as partners, and Cheryl Nelson has joined as counsel. The three lawyers have represented many of the largest motion picture production studios and TV networks, as well as many other leading players in the entertainment industry. More >>

Tags:  Davis Wright Tremaine LLP | Los Angeles

Freshfields advises Canadian pension funds on acquisition of interests in a $2bn renewable energy and water infrastructure portfolio

Friday, January 9, 2015

International law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has advised Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board, two of Canada’s largest pension funds, on their agreement with Banco Santander, S.A. to acquire jointly an international portfolio of renewable energy and water infrastructure assets. More >>

Tags:  Freshfields LLP | London

Chadbourne Represents Lenders on US$1 Billion Combined-Cycle Power Plant in Massachusetts

Friday, January 9, 2015

Chadbourne & Parke LLP represented the lenders on the financing of the US$1 billion combined-cycle Salem Harbor Power Station in Salem, Massachusetts. The financing includes US$600 million term loan, a US$130 million letter of credit facility, and approximately US$377 million in equity financing. The Coordinating Lead Arrangers for the financing were MUFG Union Bank, GE Energy Financial Services and BNP Paribas. More >>

Tags:  Washington

Renowned Intellectual Property Attorney Jack Waddey Joins Waller Along With Five More IP Attorneys

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP, Nashville’s oldest and largest law firm, has significantly expanded its intellectual property practice with the addition of I.C. (Jack) Waddey, an industry leader with 40 years of experience in IP counseling and litigation, as partner. Waddey, who co-founded and helped lead Waddey Patterson Intellectual Property Law over the last 20 years, is joined by five additional IP attorneys, Larry Brantley, Andy Pitchford, Matthew Cox, Nate Bailey and Blake Bernard. More >>

Tags:  Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP | Nashville

Former US Senator Saxby Chambliss joins DLA Piper as partner

Thursday, January 8, 2015

DLA Piper announced today that former United States Senator Saxby Chambliss has joined the firm as a partner. He will be based in the firm’s Atlanta office and will advise clients across the country.

Senator Chambliss served two terms as US Senator from Georgia and, prior to that, was elected to four terms in the House of Representatives. During his 20 years in Congress, Senator Chambliss was involved in several major areas of legislative and regulatory policy, with a particular focus on issues related to national defense, homeland security, cybersecurity and agriculture. He most recently served as vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and was a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee; the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry (former chairman); and the Senate Rules Committee. Senator Chambliss’ experience with security issues dates back to his previous role as chairman of the House Intelligence Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security. More >>

Tags:  DLA Piper | Atlanta