Lawyers at Baker Botts advised clients on 35 major merger & acquisition transactions valued at a total of USD65.6 billion during the first half of 2015.
The firm’s activity is up approximately 16 per cent (USD9 billion) compared to the first half of 2014 when the firm worked on transactions totalling USD56.6 billion. The increase marks the second year in a row in which the firm’s numbers for the first half of the year have risen, with 2015 representing a more than 205 per cent increase when compared to 2013.
Baker Botts lawyers represented clients in a number of notable transactions over the past six months, including:
Regency Energy Partners LP in the USD18 billion merger with Energy Transfer Partners L.P. Dallas partner Neel Lemon and Houston partner AJ Ericksen led the transaction.
Liberty Broadband Corporation in the USD5 billion acquisition of New Charter Class A Common Stock as part of Charter’s USD75 billion acquisition of Time Warner Cable and USD10.4 billion acquisition of Bright House Networks. New York partners Buzz McGrath and Renee Wilm led the transaction.
Conflicts Committee of Williams Partners LP in the proposed USD13.8 billion acquisition by The Williams Companies Inc. The transaction was led by Houston partners Josh Davidson and Tull Florey.
MeadWestvaco Corporation in the USD16 billion merger with Rock-Tenn Company. Washington, D.C. partner Joseph Ostoyich provided antitrust advice in connection with the transaction.
Depomed, Inc in the USD1.05 billion acquisition of the US rights to the NUCYNTA franchise from Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. Palo Alto partners John Martin and Brian Lee led the transaction.
“During the first half of the year we saw the trend carry forward from 2014, with a high volume of big-ticket M&A work on behalf of our clients – the work ranged from Energy, to Media/Telecoms, to Technology as well as activity in other sectors,” says David Kirkland, Co-Chair of the firm’s Corporate Department.
“Based on discussions with clients, we expect to see continued significant activity in our M&A practice for the balance of the year,” adds Kelly Rose, also Co-Chair of Baker Botts' Corporate Department.
