Davis Polk is advising PartnerRe Ltd. in connection with its $11 billion merger of equals with AXIS Capital Holdings Limited. PartnerRe shareholders will receive 2.18 shares of the combined company’s common shares for each share of PartnerRe common shares they own and AXIS Capital shareholders will receive one share of the combined company’s common shares for each share of AXIS Capital common shares they own. The transaction, which is expected to close in the second half of 2015, is subject to approval by the shareholders of both companies, regulatory clearance and customary closing conditions. More >>

Rock-Tenn Company (“RockTenn”) and MeadWestvaco Corporation (“MWV”) announced that they have entered into a definitive combination agreement to create a leading global provider of consumer and corrugated packaging in a transaction with a combined equity value of $16 billion. Cravath represented RockTenn in connection with this transaction, which is subject to receipt of certain regulatory approvals and other closing conditions and is expected to close during the second calendar quarter of this year. The combined company will be named prior to closing. More >>

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. has bolstered its insurance and reinsurance dispute capabilities with the addition of Marc L. Abrams, who joins the firm’s Litigation practice. Mr. Abrams, who was previously a partner at Nelson Brown & Co., will be a Member in the firm’s New York office. More >>

Simpson Thacher recently represented the dealers in connection with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation’s (“SMBC”) update of its US$50 billion Global Medium Term Notes Program (the “Program”) and the offering of US$2.25 billion of senior notes thereunder. The senior notes were guaranteed by SMBC’s New York branch and offered and sold in reliance on the exemption from SEC registration provided in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act. SMBC Nikko Capital Markets Limited, Barclays Bank PLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Merrill Lynch International and SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. are dealers under the Program. Goldman, Sachs & Co., SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Capital Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as the representatives for the offering of the senior notes. More >>

Shearman & Sterling represented Citigroup Global Markets, Inc., as lead arranger and administrative agent, in connection with the $1.19 billion bridge financing of the $4.3 billion acquisition by Washington Prime Group Inc. of Glimcher Realty Trust. More >>

Simpson Thacher recently represented HCA Inc. in its high yield offering of $1 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2025. HCA intends to use the net proceeds for the repayment of its existing senior notes and for general corporate purposes. More >>

Simpson Thacher represented the underwriters, led by BNP Paribas, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank Securities and J.P. Morgan in connection with the public offering by Air Lease Corporation of $600 million aggregate principal amount of 3.750% Senior Notes due 2022. The net proceeds of the offering will be used for general corporate purposes including the purchase of commercial aircraft and the repayment of existing indebtedness. More >>

Davis Polk advised Barclays Capital Inc. as representative of the several initial purchasers in connection with a Rule 144A/Regulation S offering of $800 million aggregate principal amount by Open Text Corporation (“OpenText”) of its 5.625% senior notes due 2023. The notes are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of OpenText. Barclays Capital Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Citigroup Global Markets acted as joint bookrunners in the offering. The offering was OpenText’s debut offering in the capital markets. More >>