Brian Baxter

December 06, 2013 | The American Lawyer

Nelson Mandela's death Thursday prompted an outpouring of tributes around the world. But before he became one of the 20th century's most influential world leaders, Mandela founded South Africa's first black law firm in one of his first steps on the path to social justice. Many of South Africa's largest firms—and most prominent lawyers—are remembering his important legacy.

By Brian Baxter

11 minute read

December 05, 2013 | Law.com

Allen & Overy and Clifford Chance have grabbed lead roles on a pair of large chemical industry mergers, while Covington & Burling, Weil, Gotshal & Manges and leading Australian firm Allens are advising on several other notable transactions in the same sector.

By Brian Baxter

7 minute read

December 05, 2013 | New York Law Journal

Consumer marketing and branding company Authentic Brands Group has acquired the licensing rights to Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali from Core Media Group, and CVS Caremark has entered into an agreement to buy Apria Healthcare Group's Coram infusion therapy business for approximately $2.1 billion in cash.

By Brian Baxter and Sara Randazzo

5 minute read

December 04, 2013 | Law.com

GrowLife, a public company whose products are used in the cultivation of marijuana, has hired Crowell & Moring to advise it on regulatory compliance and M&A matters amid a surge in public support for legalizing what has long been an illicit substance. Growlife CEO and former Jenner & Block partner Sterling Scott spoke Wednesday with The Am Law Daily about the company's decision to retain Crowell and where the legal cannabis industry is headed.

By Brian Baxter

8 minute read

December 03, 2013 | Law.com

In a historic ruling handed down Tuesday, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes approved Detroit's Chapter 9 petition and made the Motor City the largest U.S. municipality ever to declare itself legally insolvent. Rhodes' decision, which also permits the cutting of city pension obligations and the sale of municipal assets, means htat more than a dozen Am Law 200 firms will continue to rack up fees advising clients in the case.

By Brian Baxter

9 minute read

December 02, 2013 | The American Lawyer

Shearman & Sterling and Sullivan & Cromwell are representing ArcelorMittal and Japan's Nippon Steel, respectively, in a joint venture to buy an Alabama steel plant for $1.6 billion from German conglomerate ThyssenKrupp's U.S. unit, which is being advised by Magic Circle firm Linklaters.

By Brian Baxter

6 minute read

December 02, 2013 | The American Lawyer

Baker & McKenzie, Drinker Biddle, Freshfields, Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, Norton Rose Fulbright, Skadden and Womble Carlyle led the way as several large firms landed lead roles advising buyout shops BC Partners, Odyssey Investment Partners, Permira and Thoma Bravo on nearly $3.9 billion in transactional work around the Thanksgiving holiday.

By Brian Baxter

7 minute read

November 27, 2013 | The American Lawyer

The National Hockey League turned to Covington & Burling as its lead outside counsel on a 12-year, $4.9 billion Canadian television rights deal announced on the league's 96th birthday and a day after 10 retired NHL players sued the league over what they claim are the debilitating effects of concussions suffered during their playing days.

By Brian Baxter

9 minute read

November 27, 2013 | Daily Report Online

The proposed combination between McKenna Long & Aldridge and global megafirm Dentons is off, the firms have confirmed.

By Meredith Hobbs and Brian Baxter

5 minute read

November 26, 2013 | The American Lawyer

Marathon Petroleum has turned to Jones Day to negotiate its agreement to serve as the primary distributor of oil that will flow through Enbridge's $2.6 billion Sandpiper pipeline. The Canadian company's battle to build a pipeline from Alberta's oil sands to the Pacific Ocean is the subject of a feature story in this month's issue of The American Lawyer.

By Brian Baxter

4 minute read