On July 29, it was announced that Canadian retailer Hudson’s Bay Company (“HBC”) and U.S. luxury retailer Saks Incorporated (“Saks”) have entered into a definitive merger agreement whereby HBC will acquire Saks for $16.00 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $2.9 billion, including debt.  Willkie represented Hudson’s Bay Company in the transaction.  The cross border acquisition is expected to increase HBC’s growth potential both in the U.S. and Canada, generate significant efficiencies of scale, add prime real estate to the company’s portfolio and provide substantial shareholder value.

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Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) and Publicis Groupe SA (Euronext Paris: FR0000130577) today announced that they have signed a definitive agreement for a merger of equals, creating the world’s leading company in communications, advertising, marketing and digital services, with combined 2012 revenue of $22.7 billion / €17.7 billion. Based on closing prices on July 26, 2013, Publicis Omnicom Group will have a combined equity market capitalization of approximately $35.1 billion / €26.5 billion. The merged group of more than 130,000 employees will be exceptionally well positioned to serve clients’ evolving needs, helping them to build their brands and grow their businesses in the rapidly changing communications landscape.

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Cravath represented the underwriters, led by Credit Suisse, in connection with the US$250 million initial public offering of common stock of Diamond Resorts International, Inc., a leader in the hospitality and vacation ownership industry. The shares were listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The transaction closed on July 24, 2013.

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Simpson Thacher represented the underwriters, led by BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, in connection with Oracle Corporation’s first registered public offering of euro-denominated notes. Oracle Corporation offered €1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 2.250% senior notes due 2021 and €750 million aggregate principal amount of 3.125% senior notes due 2025. The euro-denominated notes are listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

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Davis Polk advised underwriters represented by Barclays Bank PLC, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and RBC Capital Markets, LLC in connection with the offering of $2.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 1% bonds due July 22, 2016, issued by the Province of Ontario.

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Davis Polk is advising Maidenform Brands, Inc. in connection with its $575 million acquisition by Hanesbrands Inc. The transaction, which has been unanimously approved by Maidenform’s board of directors, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2013.

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Simpson Thacher is representing J.P. Morgan Securities LLC in its role as financial advisor to CapitalSource Inc. in connection with PacWest Bancorp’s announced acquisition of CapitalSource Inc. for $2.47 in cash and 0.2837 shares of PacWest common stock per share, or approximately $2.3 billion.

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Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP (www.clm.com) is pleased to announce that John M. (Jack) Griem, Jr. has joined the firm as partner in its intellectual property department effective July 22, 2013.

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Paul Hastings LLP, a leading global law firm, announced today that securities and commercial litigator Shahzeb Lari has joined the firm as a partner with the Litigation practice in New York.

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Paul Hastings LLP, a leading global law firm, announced today that the firm represented UBS AG, Stamford Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and UBS Securities LLC., as lead arranger, in connection with the amendment and restatement of FHC Health Systems, Inc.’s first lien credit facilities for the purposes of, among other things, refinancing existing indebtedness.

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