International technology, media and telecoms law firm Olswang has advised long standing client RWS Holdings plc, a world leading provider of intellectual property (IP) support services listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange, on the share placing and debt financing aspects of its acquisition of LUZ, Inc., a market leading Life Sciences language services provider based in San Francisco for cash consideration of US$82.5m.

RWS offers patent translations, international patent filing solutions and searches; commercial translations; and linguistic validation.  The acquisition increases its market share and specialist offering, particularly in language services. It also adds complementary regulatory and medical device specialisms and enhances its US footprint by adding a West Coast presence.

Corporate Partner Nick Crosbie commented: "We are pleased to have advised our long-standing client RWS on the successful placing and debt financing in connection with the acquisition, which complements their existing Life Sciences offering."

Nick Crosbie led the team from Olswang along with Corporate Senior Associate Nicole Gyring-Nielsen, Partner and Head of Finance Charles Kerrigan, Finance Senior Associate Gurminder Muker. The team was assisted by Trainees Krishan Neelandra, Dave Johns and Daniel Hope.

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Skadden represented JD.com, Inc., the largest Chinese e-commerce company by revenue, in its 14.3 billion renminbi (US$2.07 billion) disposition of its 68.6 percent equity stake in JD Finance, which runs JD.com’s internet finance business.

International technology, media and telecoms law firm Olswang has advised long-standing client Turner International, a division of Time Warner, on two transactions in recent weeks.

In early February Olswang advised Turner International's Digital Ventures & Innovation Group on its equity investment digital media sports company Bigballs Media (BBM), parent company of one of the world's fastest growing digital video platforms for football content, Copa90. BBM will use the investment to fuel its international expansion, content production and distribution arrangements. Turner is the largest provider of funding for the Series B investment round and the main strategic investor.

Olswang has also advised Turner Broadcasting on the sale of the UK version of the TruTV television channel. As part of the deal, Turner will continue to represent ad sales for the channel.

Corporate Partner and Co-Head of the firm's Media practice Paul Guite, who led both transactions, commented: "We are delighted to have advised the recently formed Digital Ventures & Innovation Group of long-standing client Turner on its investment in BBM, as well as acting on the sale of the TruTV channel. We look forward to following the success of the BBM investment and working with the Turner team in the future."

Paul Guite and Corporate Associate Sarah Wilson advised on the BBM investment. Paul and Sarah, along with Commercial Partner John Enser, Tax Partner Stephen Hignett and Senior Associate (Barrister) Robert Sartor advised on the sale of TruTV.

The firm has an unparalleled standing in the international media industry, both for its sector knowledge and long-standing client base in the TV, film, music and advertising industries.

Olswang's Media practice is consistently ranked in the top tier of leading legal directories.

Read more about Olswang’s international legal practice on the firm’s website.


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Skadden is representing Veritas Capital in its $755 million acquisition of the capital services business of Chicago Bridge

In a win for Skadden client Castle Harlan Inc., the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division affirmed the dismissal of a seven-count complaint brought by Russian-owned companies Norcast S.ár.l and Pala Investments Ltd. arising from the 2011 sale of Norcast Wear Solutions (NWS), a Canadian mining products company.

Skadden is advising EMAS Chiyoda Subsea Limited and its affiliates on a Chapter 11 reorganization in the Southern District of Texas.

Skadden represented the ABB Group in the European Union antitrust aspects of the $934 million divestment of its high-voltage cables and power cable accessories businesses to NKT Cables.

Skadden represented Société Générale and Morgan Stanley, as joint lead arrangers and lead underwriters, and a syndicate of commercial bank lenders in connection with a $635.7 million credit facility provided to a subsidiary of EIG Global Energy Partners (EIG) for the acquisition by EIG from Kinder Morgan, Inc. of a 49 percent interest in Elba Liquefaction Company, L.L.C.

Skadden is representing The AES Corporation and Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) in their $853 million acquisition of FTP Power LLC (sPower).

London international litigation and arbitration partner David Edwards contributed to a roundtable discussion on commodities litigation published by Corporate Disputes magazine.

As co-counsel, Skadden advised Maurice "Hank" Greenberg, the former chairman and CEO of American International Group, Inc., on the highly successful conclusion of his 12-year battle with the Office of the New York State Attorney General.

Skadden advised China Yuhua Education Corporation Limited on its initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Skadden is advising a sovereign wealth fund on its $1 billion joint ventures with Beacon Capital to acquire office assets in Washington, D.C.

Skadden is counsel of record on an amicus brief filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York supporting petitioners challenging President Trump's January 27 executive order restricting immigration.

International technology, media and telecoms law firm Olswang is advising AIM-listed online gaming company, 32Red, on the recently announced recommended offer by Kindred Group plc, one of the largest online gambling companies in the world.

Kindred's offer of 196 pence per share values 32Red at £175.6m and is to progress by way of a takeover offer.  32 Red is also being advised by financial advisers, Numis.

Founded in 2002, 32Red is based in Gibraltar and operates online casino, online poker, online bingo and online sports betting under the brands 32Red.com, 32RedPoker.com, 32RedBingo.com and 32RedSport.com.  In 2015, 32Red acquired the Roxy Palace online casino business.

Olswang Corporate Partner Rob Willis is leading the team, assisted by Tom Jameson and Tim Watkins (corporate); Andy Quayle and Cathy Merry (Share Schemes); David Zeffman and Anna Soilleux-Mills (Gambling Regulatory); and Ruth Marken (Finance).


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Skadden advised Five Point Capital Partners LLC on the formation of a joint venture — called San Mateo Midstream, LLC — between Five Point’s wholly owned subsidiary and Matador Resources Company to own, operate and expand midstream assets in the Delaware Basin.

The International Association of Outsourcing Professionals® (IAOP®) has for the fourth year in a row named international technology, media and telecoms law firm Olswang a Global Outsourcing 100® company. The firm is also included in The World’s Best Outsourcing Advisors list, a subset of the overall roster that recognises the world’s top 20 outsourcing advisors and consultants.

The 2017 Global Outsourcing 100 and The World's Best Outsourcing Advisors recognise the world’s best outsourcing service providers and advisors. These lists are based on applications received, and judging relies on a rigorous scoring methodology that includes a review by an independent panel of IAOP customer members with extensive experience in selecting outsourcing service providers and advisors for their organisations.

Olswang's award-winning Technology and Sourcing team advises multinational companies such as BP, Marks & Spencer and Unilever on an array of complex and strategic outsourcing and procurement transactions. 

Olswang Partner Dominic Dryden commented: “It is an honour to be ranked yet again in the IAOP’s World’s Best Outsourcing Advisors list. Receiving this accolade for the fourth year running is a testament to the depth and strength of our practice and the value we help our clients deliver. The past year has seen Olswang advise on a number of transformational and ground-breaking sourcing and procurement transactions, and my thanks go to our whole team for their hard work, dedication and performance."

IAOP CEO Debi Hamill said: “Buyers understand there are hundreds of qualified service providers and advisors out there, but what they really need to understand now is what makes each one exceptional. The Global Outsourcing 100 and World's Best Advisors lists have done just that. We are proud to recognise Olswang for being among the highest rated companies in this industry."

In addition to being named a 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 Global Outsourcing 100® company and included on The World’s Best Outsourcing Advisors, Dominic Dryden was included in the 2015 The Lawyer Hot 100 list for his seasoned expertise and high-profile work. Olswang’s Sourcing team was also voted Outsourcing Advisory of the Year in 2013 by the European Outsourcing Association. The team was also shortlisted in 2015 in the NOA’s Innovation category and in 2016 by the British Legal Awards for 'Commercial Team of the Year'.

Visit the Olswang website for more information on the firm’s Sourcing expertise and partners.


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International technology, media and telecoms law firm Olswang has advised London and LA-based film, television and digital sales company Content Media Corporation Plc (CMC) on the sale of its entire issued share capital to Kew Media Group Inc, a Canadian special purpose acquisition corporation focused on the media sector. The deal is expected to complete in March.

The deal sees Kew Media take 100% ownership of CMC along with five other acquisitions totaling US$104m. Kew will also acquire the following CMC controlled production companies: Alex Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions, Campfire Film & Television, Collins Avenue Productions, Finland’s Aito Media and Spirit Digital Media. 

CMC recently sold projects such as Sundance premiere Cries From Syria and distributed BBC police drama Line of Duty. 

Corporate Partner Paul Blackmore commented: "Having acted for Content for over 15 years it was a pleasure to advise the Company on its sale to Kew Media Group. This is part of a significant acquisition in the content media space, and we look forward to supporting Content on this wider platform with Kew Media."

Paul Blackmore led the Olswang team, which comprised Corporate Senior Associates Theo Godfrey and Nicole Gyring-Nielsen, Corporate Associate David Wood, Tax Partner Mark Joscelyne, Share Schemes Partner Andrew Quayle, Share Schemes Legal Director Catherine Merry and Trainee Dave Johns.

Olswang's Media practice is consistently ranked in the top tier of leading legal directories Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500.

 

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International technology, media and telecoms law firm Olswang has acted as lead legal advisor on the launch of Expectation – a new independent TV production company created by former Endemol Shine Group President Tim Hincks and ex-ITV Director of Television Peter Fincham.

Expectation launches with six departments across scripted and non-scripted programming including drama, comedy, factual entertainment, entertainment, reality and factual.

After advising on the structuring of the business, the firm went on to advise the founders of Expectation on BBC Worldwide's minority investment into the company. The company also engaged corporate financier Jonathan Norman at Stella Advisors on the investment.

Olswang Senior Partner Mark Devereux commented: "It was a privilege and a delight to work with Peter and Tim on the launch of their new production company. They are two of the most experienced and successful television executives in the business with outstanding track records and together they are going to be unstoppable. We're pleased to have supported them in the financing of the business and we look forward to working with them as the company flourishes in the years to come."

Led by Corporate Partner Nick Crosbie and Senior Partner Mark Devereux, the Olswang team comprised: Share Schemes Partner Andy Quayle, Finance Partner Ruth Marken, Employment Partner Melanie Lane, IP Partner Sarah Wright, Corporate Associate Patrick Peake, Employment Senior Associate Hannah Netherton, IP Associate Sam Omar and Trainee Susannah Parry.

The firm has an unparalleled standing in the international media industry, both for its sector knowledge and long-standing client base in the TV, film, music and advertising industries.

Olswang's Media practice is consistently ranked in the top tier of leading legal directories Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500. 


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The firm is advising Hologic, Inc. on the tax aspects of its $1.65 billion acquisition of Cynosure, Inc.