Paul Hastings LLP, a leading global law firm, announced today that the firm represented joint book-running managers and lead arrangers, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, BMO Capital Markets, CIT Group, OneWest Bank and U.S. Bank National Association, in connection with the financing of the acquisition of majority equity interest of Planet Fitness Holdings, LLC by TSG Consumer Partners, LLC. The financing consists of a $190.0 million term loan facility and $40.0 million revolving facility. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. served as the administrative agent. BMO Capital Markets, CIT Group, OneWest Bank and U.S. Bank National Association also acted as co-syndication agents.

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SRZ represented MKP Capital Management LLC, a diversified alternative investment manager with over $5 billion in assets under management, in its sale of a passive minority interest to Neuberger Berman Group-managed private equity fund Dyal Capital Partners. Under terms of the deal, which was announced on Jan. 8, 2013, Dyal has no control on the investment process or day-to-day operations at MKP. The transaction allows MKP to broaden employee ownership and long-term leadership, as well as develop stronger relationships with Dyal’s institutional clients.

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The Firm is acting as U.S. counsel to Cogeco Cable Inc. (TSX: CCA) in connection with Cogeco Cable’s proposed acquisition of PEER 1 Network Enterprises, Inc. (TSX: PIX) for approximately US$642.2 million (C$635 million), or $3.85 in cash per share.

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Simpson Thacher represented Western Asset Middle Market Debt Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) in connection with its $177 million initial public offering of common stock. The Fund’s common stock will not be listed for trading on any securities exchange. Beginning in 2014, the Fund intends, but is not obligated, to conduct annual tender offers for up to 10% of its common stock then outstanding in the sole discretion of its board of directors. It is anticipated that the Fund will terminate on or before December 31, 2020.

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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 UBS Securities LLC and General Electric Capital Corporation as joint lead arrangers for the senior secured financing of Consolidated Precision Products Corp.’s acquisition of the Turbine Technologies Group of ESCO Corporation from ESCO Corporation and ESCO Turbine Components Europe, sprl. The senior secured financing consists of a $515,000,000 first lien senior secured term loan and revolving credit facility and $185,000,000 second lien senior secured term loan facility. Consolidated Precision Products Corp. is a leading manufacturer of highly-engineered castings serving the commercial aerospace, military and industrial markets and is owned by private equity firm Warburg Pincus.

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Sidley Austin LLP announced today that Michael J. O’Brien has joined the Firm as partner in its New York office. Mr. O’Brien will be a member of the Firm’s M&A and Private Equity group.

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Sidley Austin LLP announced today that Joshua B. Rovine, former General Counsel of Advisory Services at The Blackstone Group and Chief Compliance Officer of Blackstone Capital Partners, has rejoined the firm’s Pooled Investment Entities (PIE) Group as a partner in New York. He will also be a member of the firm-wide Investment Funds, Advisers and Derivatives (IFAD) Practice, concentrating primarily on hedge fund and fund of funds formation (including buy-side representations), as well as investment adviser regulation and compliance. Mr. Rovine was previously a partner at Sidley from 1998 – 2002.

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On December 21, Willkie client Aviva plc announced that it has agreed to sell Aviva USA Corporation, its U.S. life and annuities business and related asset management operations (Aviva USA), to Athene Holding Ltd for $1.8 billion. The sale was the largest M&A transaction in the life insurance industry in 2012.

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Pryor Cashman LLP is pleased to announce that Avram E. Morell, former special immigration counsel at Proskauer Rose LLP, has joined the firm as a partner in the Immigration Group in New York. Morell brings with him associate Michael Cruse and paralegal Mary Jo Bradley.

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Paul Hastings LLP, a leading global law firm, announced today that the firm represented Sterling Organization, a privately owned retail real estate investment and services company headquartered in Palm Beach, FL , in forming its first fund, Sterling Value Add Partners, LP, which has received total capital commitments of $138 million, exceeding their target of $125 million.

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