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Covington’s corporate practice covers a broad range of transactional and advisory work on behalf of public and private companies, financial institutions, private equity and venture capital funds and sponsors, sports franchises, and corporate boards.

Ranked among the leading corporate practices by Corporate Board Member, Chambers, and Legal 500, we are also recognized for advising clients in regulated industries, including life sciences, sports, financial services, energy, defense and national security, and media and telecommunications.

With corporate lawyers in New York, Washington, London, California, China, and South Korea and teams focused on Latin America, India, Japan, Africa and the Middle East, we handle domestic, cross-border, and international matters worldwide.

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Robert Kayihura Joins Covington’s Johannesburg Office as Senior Advisor

JOHANNESBURG — Robert Kayihura has joined Covington as a senior advisor in Johannesburg. Mr. Kayihura has nearly two decades of experience advising clients across the African continent. Drawing on his experience as an entrepreneur and advisor to large, global corporations including Microsoft and Uber, he works closely with corporate decision-makers, federal ...

SEC Becoming More User-Friendly With Disclosure Trims

David Engvall is quoted in Law360 regarding the SEC’s decision to move forward with several measures to simplify disclosure requirements, most of which could create a more issuer-friendly regulatory environment. Mr. Engvall says, “It’s definitely progress and it’s helpful. But it’s not going to really significantly affect any company’s overall disclosure costs.”

The Securities and Exchange Commission Simplifies Disclosure Rules

The Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) recently adopted amendments to its disclosure rules to eliminate requirements that it deems “redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated, or superseded” based, in part, on other Commission rules and generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (U.S. GAAP).

China 'keeping wary eye' on US and EU as trade pressure mounts

Timothy Stratford is quoted in the South China Morning Post regarding the United States and European Union’s pressure on China to reform its economy. Mr. Stratford says of the Chinese state-led economic model, “The global trading rules are based on assumptions that market economies are more efficient than state-led economies and that countries benefit from the ...

Few Will Benefit From Narrow Exec Comp Transition Tax Rule

William Woolston is quoted in Law360 regarding recent IRS guidance on tax deduction for performance-based executive compensation. Mr. Woolston says of grandfathered contracts, “I think it’s fair to wonder just how many companies will be able to take advantage of the grandfather rule. It’s still new guidance and there’s still more to come and more thinking to do ...

Covington Advises Ziylo on Acquisition by Novo Nordisk

LONDON—Covington has advised Ziylo on its acquisition by Novo Nordisk with a potential deal value that could exceed $800 million. Ziylo, a University of Bristol spin-out company based at the Unit DX science incubator, is a supramolecular chemistry company that has developed a third 'biomimetic' class of glucose binding molecules. The acquisition gives Novo ...

A major hurdle in trade talks: US and China ‘play by different economic rules'

Timothy Stratford is featured in a South China Morning Post article about his views on U.S.-China trade relations. Mr. Stratford says multinational companies with Chinese or U.S. operations have been caught in crossfire of the trade war between the nations. “What’s happening now is that the current deadlock is causing companies from both countries to rethink ...

Covington Advises Sensyne Health on IPO and Pioneering Strategic Agreements

LONDON—Covington has advised Sensyne Health on medical device regulatory and data protection matters in connection with its £60 million IPO on London’s AIM market. The firm also represented Sensyne Health in negotiating strategic research and data processing agreements with the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the Oxford University ...

Three Covington Lawyers Named Among Law360's "Rising Stars"

WASHINGTON— Law360 named Covington lawyers Alexander Berengaut, Michael Nonaka, and Ursula Owczarkowski to its list of “2018 Rising Stars.” This annual recognition honors top attorneys under 40 “whose legal accomplishments transcend their age.” Alex Berengaut represents clients in civil litigation, international arbitrations, and government enforcement ...

Trump calls for study on ending quarterly earnings reports

David Martin is quoted by Bloomberg regarding the President’s request of the Securities and Exchange Commission to study ending quarterly reporting for U.S. businesses in order to ease regulations and spur growth. Mr. Martin says “You’re probably going to get a debate where you have people saying these reports are unnecessary, and I don’t think that will ...

New Restrictions on Deductibility of Settlement Payments

New restrictions on the deductibility of certain payments will require companies facing government investigations to pay close attention to the tax treatment of any settlement or court judgment, and to address this treatment in their negotiations with regulatory agencies. There is a risk under new tax rules that the amount paid to resolve these disputes may be ...

Covington Represents Emergent BioSolutions in $270M Acquisition

WASHINGTON—Covington advised Emergent BioSolutions in its $270 million acquisition of PaxVax. PaxVax is majority owned by an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management. Emergent is a global life sciences company focusing on providing specialty products for civilian and military populations that address public health threats. PaxVax is a company focused on ...

Equity Plan Votes Scrapped After Tax Reform

William Woolston and Megan Woodford are quoted in Agenda regarding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017’s effect on incentive plans. Mr. Woolston suspects public companies not conducting a shareholder vote on incentive plans is the “ beginning of a trend.” However, he believes that shareholders can still rely on other measures to hold companies accountable for ...

AT&T Overpaid Some Pensioners. Now It Wants the Money Back.

Richard Shea is quoted in The Wall Street Journal regarding AT&T’s miscalculation and overpayment of retirement benefits. Mr. Shea says that some pension experts have concluded that overpayments essentially never harm plan finances because employers must set aside enough money to cover a lifetime of benefits based on what retirees actually receive. He adds, “The ...

Virtual Currency Futures Traders Face Enhanced Disclosure Rules

Jason Grimes is quoted in Bloomberg BNA regarding disclosure regulations of virtual currency. Mr. Grimes says, “It does seem clear from the notice that they [National Futures Association] have particular concerns with the riskiness of trading in virtual currencies and virtual currency derivatives.” He adds that these programs “may be attracting pool participants ...

Incentive Plans and Shareholder Approval After Tax Reform

This article originally appeared in Law360. Companies have had a lot to digest since the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TJCA”) late last year. But for executive compensation attorneys and professionals who work with or advise public companies, the elimination of the tax deduction for performance-based compensation under section 162(m) of...… ...

ERISA Litigation Surging – Focus on Fees

After a few years of decline, litigation involving 401(k) plans “has surged again recently,” according to a study published by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. This is likely not news to 401(k) sponsors and service providers, who are confronted with this reality on a near daily basis. However, the study is a...… Continue Reading

Few Execs Leave Money on the Table Upon Departure

Michael Francese is quoted in the Agenda regarding compensation guarantees for at-will executives. Francese says that almost all employees are technically employed “at will, in the sense that their employer can terminate their employment at any time for any nondiscriminatory reason.” He adds that the biggest advantage of an employment agreement is the severance ...

SEC Expands Definition of Smaller Reporting Company

On June 28, 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) issued a final rule amending the definition of “smaller reporting company” (“SRC”) to expand the number of registrants that will qualify for the scaled disclosure requirements applicable to SRCs.

Covington Advises Senvion Group on Global Outsourcing

FRANKFURT—Covington advised Senvion Group on the global outsourcing of its IT infrastructure, network, and application services. The outsourcing includes the transformation of the global legacy data center environment into a new hybrid cloud environment. Founded in Germany, Senvion is a global manufacturer of onshore and offshore wind turbines and has installed ...

California Passes Expansive Consumer Privacy Law

On June 28, 2018, the Governor of California signed the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (“CCPA”). The new law is the most comprehensive data privacy statute in the United States and introduces significant privacy requirements for covered businesses. The CCPA takes effect on January 1, 2020, but based on comments from both the public-interest and business ...

Covington Named One of America’s Best by Corporate Board Member

NEW YORK—Corporate Board Member has once again named Covington to its list of the top 25 corporate law firms. The “America’s Best Corporate Law Firms” survey asks directors and general counsels at publicly traded companies to identify the firms they would most likely retain for corporate legal matters of national scope. “Covington is proud to be regarded by our ...

DOL Finalizes Highly Anticipated Rule Aimed at Expanding Access to Association Health Plans

In January, we posted about the Department of Labor’s (DOL or the “Department”) proposed rule to allow more Association Health Plans (AHPs) to be regulated as large group health plans. The proposed rule garnered national attention and the Department received over 900 stakeholder comments from consumer groups, individual employers, employer associations, health ...

Covington Represents Boston Children's Hospital in Royalty Monetization

NEW YORK—Covington advised Boston Children's Hospital in its monetization of a portion of its royalties relating to Vonvendi, a recombinant drug used to treat a common bleeding disorder called von Willebrand disease. The purchaser, Barings Alternative Investments, part of Barings LLC, on behalf of institutional investors, paid $51.5 million. Boston Children’s ...

Google Staff in Rare Push Want Executive Pay Tied to Diversity

Andrew Jack is quoted in a Bloomberg article regarding the push by employees and investors of Google's Alphabet Inc. to tie executive pay to progress on workplace diversity, According to Jack, investors care about environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. “Boards and compensation committees would be well advised to review their company’s published ESG ...

Covington Hosts Project Finance Master Class in Nairobi

JOHANNESBURG—Covington has partnered with Power Africa, Kaplan & Stratton, and Fieldstone Africa, with support from the African Legal Support Facility of the African Development Bank, to launch the inaugural Project Finance Master Class that will be held in Nairobi, Kenya from June 4 - 6, 2018. The Master Class is designed to strengthen the environment for ...

Covington & Burling's Emily Leonard | Women of Influence 2018

Emily Leonard was recognized among Silicon Valley Business Journal's "2018 Women of Influence." In discussing her career at Covington, Leonard says, "I have had the privilege of partnering with a large number of industry clients on challenging transactions that involve innovative technologies—some of which turn out to be life-changing therapies."

Reducing Required Minimum Distributions from a Defined Contribution Plan: The Spousal Rollover IRA

During a participant’s lifetime, required minimum distributions (“RMDs”) from a defined contribution plan are relatively small in size. Less favorable treatment may apply after the participant’s death, depending on the distribution options offered by the plan, the form of distribution elected by the participant, the age of the beneficiary and the relationship ...

SCOTUS Upholds Employee Class Action Waivers in Epic Systems

The Supreme Court put to rest years of uncertainty regarding the enforceability of class action waivers for employees when it decided Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis, 582 U.S. ___ (2018) on May 21. In a 5-4 decision, the majority held that employers do not violate the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) or the Federal Arbitration...… Continue Reading

Private Equity Team Joins Covington

NEW YORK—Amy Wollensack and Sergio Urias have joined Covington in New York as co-chairs of its Private Equity practice. Ms. Wollensack and Mr. Urias represent private equity sponsors in the acquisition and disposition of portfolio companies and investments across a wide range of industries. Mr. Urias, who practiced in Mexico before practicing in New York, also ...

Two Partners Leave Kirkland to Lead Covington's Private Equity Practice

Amy Wollensack and Sergio Urias are quoted by The New York Law Journal in an article regarding their move to Covington where they will serve as co-chairs of the firm's Private Equity practice. “When someone calls you and says, ‘We have an opportunity for you to co-chair a practice group,’ particularly at a firm like Covington, where the practice is stellar,” ...

Covington Picks Up 2 Kirkland Partners To Lead PE Practice

Scott Smith, Amy Wollensack, and Sergio Urias are quoted in a Law360 article regarding Wollensack and Urias' arrival to Covington, where they will serve as co-chairs of the firm's Private Equity practice. According to Smith, the pair have strong reputations in the private equity community. "They bring the needed leadership for the future growth of our private ...

5 Questions You Should Ask About Your Global Equity Awards

[This article was originally published in Law360.] As U.S. companies expand internationally, they often wish to compensate their non-U.S. employees with stock options, restricted stock, phantom stock and other forms of equity compensation. But offering equity compensation to non-U.S. employees is not as straightforward as it may sound, and is often more ...

Season Tickets? Steak Dinners? Small Firms Rethink Client Events After Losing Tax Break

Marianna Dyson is quoted by The Wall Street Journal in an article regarding changes in the tax law that reduce limits on deductions for entertainment and meals. Among the uncertainties is whether companies will still be able to claim a 50% deduction for business meals with customers or business associates, or whether those expenses will be considered ...

What Companies Should Know in the Wake of California’s New Worker Classification Ruling

California’s highest court recently pronounced a new worker classification standard in Dynamex v. Lee, a case involving wage and hour requirements under the California Labor Code. Compared with the old rule, the new standard is simpler, arguably more predictable—and will make it more difficult for businesses to classify workers as independent contractors. ...

Covington Advises German Private Equity Fund on Medical Device Acquisition

FRANKFURT—Covington advised Adiuva Fund II GmbH & Co. KG, a private equity fund advised by Adiuva Capital GmbH, on the acquisition of nt-trading from private equity investor INVICTO Invest GmbH and various co-investors. Adiuva Capital is a Hamburg-based independent investment firm focused on investing in mid-sized enterprises. nt-trading is headquartered in ...

Three Covington Partners Among Top 100 Women Lawyers in California

LOS ANGELES—Covington partners Carolyn Kubota, Robyn Polashuk, and Sonya Winner have been named to the Daily Journal’s 2018 “Top 100 Women Lawyers” list, recognizing the “top women lawyers in California.” Based in the firm’s Los Angeles office, Ms. Kubota is a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers and has served as lead counsel on high-profile ...

Original HSA Family Contribution Limit to Remain in Place for 2018

Taxpayers may treat the $6,900 original annual contribution limit for family coverage to health savings accounts (“HSAs”) as the limit for 2018, according to IRS guidance released on April 26, 2018 (press release; IRS Rev. Proc. 2018-27). Employers that took steps to comply with the reduced limit may need to take action. As discussed in...… Continue Reading

ERISA Advisory Council Urges DOL to Streamline Retirement Plan Disclosures

The Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans (often called the “ERISA Advisory Council”) has released a report urging the Department of Labor (“DOL”) to streamline retirement plan disclosure requirements. The report reiterates concerns the Council expressed in 2005 and 2009, echoed by the U.S. Government and Accountability Office (the ...

New Paid Family & Medical Leave Tax Credit for Businesses

For taxable years starting after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2020, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 adds a new Section 45S to the Internal Revenue Code that provides a tax credit for businesses offering paid family and medical leave (“F&M Leave”). The IRS recently issued FAQs that begin to answer questions...… Continue Reading

Covington Advises Elbit Systems in $120 Million Acquisition

WASHINGTON—Covington advised Elbit Systems Ltd. in its $120 million acquisition of the assets and operations of the privately owned U.S. company, Universal Avionics Systems. Elbit Systems is an international high technology company engaged in a wide range of defense, homeland security, and commercial programs throughout the world. Universal Avionics is a ...

IP Hires: Covington, Polsinelli, Michael Best

Law360 highlights the arrival of Suzanne Bell to Covington's Technology Transactions practice in a roundup of recent IP hires. According to Bell, "The firm’s collaborative approach will allow me to work hand-in-hand with lawyers across the firm’s various offices and practices."

Covington Hires Ex-Wilson Sonsini Tech Deals Pro

Suzanne Bell and Tom DeFilipps are quoted in a Law360 article regarding Bell's arrival to Covington's Technology Transactions practice. Bell says she is excited to join Covington and looks forward to helping it build its tech practice and advise clients on incorporating new technologies into their businesses. “The firm’s collaborative approach will allow me to ...

Covington Advises BenevolentAI on £80m Funding and Acquisition

LONDON—Covington advised BenevolentAI on an £80 million equity investment by new and existing investors, including Woodford Investment Management, at a pre-money valuation of £1.4 billion. The firm also recently advised BenevolentAI on its acquisition of Proximagen Limited, a Cambridge, UK-based drug discovery and development company, for an undisclosed ...

3 Alt PE Fund Types Attys Should Know Inside And Out

Kelly Labritz is quoted in a Law360 article regarding potential legal issues brought by alternative fund types. Commenting on the private equity secondaries market, Labritz says that lawyers wishing to be called upon for work on secondaries funds should ensure they are well-versed in both the areas of mergers and acquisitions and private equity fund formation, ...

German Bundeskartellamt’s Decision against Online Sales Restrictions by ASICS Ultimately Confirmed

In its decision of 12 December 2017, the German Federal Supreme Court (Bundesgerichtshof – BGH) dismissed ASICS’ application to appeal the 2017 judgment of the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court (OLG) on alleged online sales restrictions. The BGH confirmed that prohibiting the use of price comparison websites by retailers constitutes a hardcore restriction under ...

Covington Represents Financial Advisor In $1.8 Billion Optical Tech Acquisition

NEW YORK—Covington advised Jefferies LLC as financial advisor to Oclaro, Inc. in its proposed acquisition by Lumentum Holdings Inc. The transaction values Oclaro at approximately $1.8 billion. Oclaro manufactures and sells optical components and modules for the long-haul, metro, and data center markets, providing solutions for optical networks and high-speed ...

Leading Technology Transactions Partner Joins Covington

SILICON VALLEY—Suzanne Bell has joined Covington as a partner in its Technology Transactions practice in the Silicon Valley office. Ms. Bell advises technology companies, as well as companies in traditional industries that are embracing technology, in a range of intellectual property, licensing and contract matters. Her work includes strategic partnering ...

Covington Nabs Veteran Tech Dealmaker From Wilson Sonsini

The Recorder highlights the arrival of Suzanne Bell to Covington's Technology Transactions practice. Bell says she was attracted to the firm's strong regulatory practice given the increased intersection between the technology sector and government regulations. Bell adds that she is looking forward to using her experience in technology transactions to assist ...

Covington Expands in EU With Opening Of Frankfurt Base

Timothy Hester and Thomas Heymann are quoted in a Law360 article regarding the opening of Covington's new Frankfurt office. According to Hester, “Covington will offer German companies a unique capability to help them navigate through their most complex and consequential business issues in their most important international markets." He adds, “Our new German team ...

Covington Opens Frankfurt Office

LONDON—Covington will open an office in Frankfurt, Germany on April 3 led by eight partners. Frankfurt will be the firm’s third European office and will work closely with the firm’s five offices in the United States, its three offices in Asia, and its offices in the Middle East and Africa. “Covington will offer German companies a unique capability to help them ...

Covington wades into Germany with Frankfurt launch

Thomas Heymann and Louise Nash are quoted by The Lawyer in an article highlighting the opening of Covington's Frankfurt office. According to Heymann, “We proudly look back on 12 years as an independent German law firm and we thank our clients for the trust they have placed in us and for the many years of great cooperation. We are convinced that adding ...

Covington launches in Frankfurt as Dentons takes chunk of Australia player

Timothy Hester and Thomas Heymann are quoted in a Legal Business article regarding the opening of Covington's new Frankfurt office. According to Hester, "Our new German team is of outstanding quality and will provide important synergies with the firm, including our London and Brussels offices and will allow us to serve the needs of our clients who have legal ...

Covington & Burling Absorbs German Firm for Frankfurt Launch

Thomas Heymann and Louise Nash are quoted by The National Law Journal in an article regarding the opening of Covington's new Frankfurt office. “Covington will be a fantastic platform to further develop our technology and transaction practices,” says Heymann. “This will be a great fit.” According to Nash, “There is a strong, untapped opportunity for Covington ...

London looks to African infrastructure and energy markets

Graham Vinter is quoted in an African Law & Business article regarding the recent arrival of Robin Mizrahi and Laure Berthelot to Covington. According to Vinter, the pair’s “particular skills and practice focus, combined with our existing capabilities, will allow us to serve clients in energy and infrastructure projects throughout Africa, including ...

Covington Boosts Global Project Finance Offering with Senior Hires

LONDON—Robin Mizrahi has joined Covington as a partner and Laure Berthelot as special counsel in the firm’s Project Development and Finance practice. Based in London, Mr. Mizrahi and Ms. Berthelot will work closely with the firm’s project finance lawyers in Dubai, Johannesburg, London, New York, Seoul, and Washington. Their arrival follows the firm’s opening in ...

Covington Secures Presidential Order Protecting Qualcomm from Hostile Takeover

WASHINGTON—Covington secured a U.S. Presidential order compelling Broadcom Limited to “immediately and permanently abandon” its proposed hostile takeover of its client Qualcomm, Inc. The order was based on findings by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) that Broadcom's takeover "threatens to impair the national security of the United ...

Covington hires Mizrahi and Berthelot

Graham Vinter is quoted in an IJGlobal article regarding the recent arrival of Robin Mizrahi and Laure Berthelot to Covington. Vinter comments, “Robin and Laure’s particular skills and practice focus – combined with our existing capabilities – will allow us to service clients in energy and infrastructure projects in all over Africa and the Middle East, including ...

Sovereignty Issue With Arbitration Fading, OECD Official Says

Dirk Suringa spoke at a conference hosted by the Pacific Rim Tax Institute and is quoted in a Tax Notes International article regarding the current approach to mandatory binding arbitration. According to Suringa, some countries have said sovereignty issues prevent them from participating in mandatory binding arbitration (2017-102252) because they can't surrender ...

Disputing Proposed Tax Regs Is Growing, Panel Says

Starling Marshall spoke at an event hosted by the Federal Bar Association and is quoted in a Law360 article regarding the growing legal strategy to challenge proposed tax regulations. According to Marshall, lawyers can challenge tax regulations on several grounds. Courts have ruled that the IRS must follow the Administrative Procedures Act, giving notice and ...

Covington Advises In Deal Uniting Two of the Largest U.S. Auto Service Providers

NEW YORK—Covington advised Mavis Tire Holdings LLC, and its family owners, and other owners, including investment funds managed by ONCAP, in its agreement to merge with Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers, a Golden Gate Capital portfolio company, creating one of the largest independent automotive service platforms in the United States. Mavis Discount Tire, based ...

SEC Adopts New Guidance on Public Company Cybersecurity Disclosures and Insider Trading

On February 21, 2018, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) approved a statement and interpretive guidance that provides the Commission’s views on a public company’s disclosure obligations concerning cybersecurity risks and incidents (the “2018 Commission Guidance”).

Covington expands in Dubai

Bruce Wilson is quoted by The Oath in an article regarding Covington's expansion in Dubai. “Covington has been advising clients on litigation, investigations, regulatory policy and transactional matters in the Middle East for over 20 years, but our new team in Dubai gives us the kind of local project capability that clients increasingly demand in the region,” ...

Covington Successfully Represents Discovery Communications In DOJ Investigation Into Its Acquisition of Scripps Networks

WASHINGTON—Covington successfully represented Discovery Communications, Inc. in a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into Discovery’s acquisition of Scripps Networks Interactive. Discovery announced earlier today that the DOJ closed its investigation into the transaction. Discovery announced in July 2017 that it had reached a definitive agreement to ...

U.S. banks set for M&A wave as Trump cuts red tape

Michael Reed is quoted in a Reuters article regarding the easing of financial rules that are expected to unleash pent-up mergers and acquisitions among mid-sized U.S. banks. According to Reed, “If there is relief on one or both of the Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering or the Community Reinvestment Act ... that would be helpful for M&A by easing the ...

Latinvex Again Names Nicole Duclos and Gabriel Mesa Among "Top 100 Lawyers"

NEW YORK—Latinvex has named Covington partners Nicole Duclos and Gabriel Mesa among “Latin America’s Top 100 Lawyers” in 2018. Ms. Duclos represents clients in international commercial and investment arbitration, as well as transnational litigation. Clients interviewed by Latinvex praised Ms. Duclos’ extensive arbitration experience, noting that she is “ready to ...

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017: Employee Benefit and Fringe Benefit Provisions

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Act”) became Pub. Law 115-97 on December 22, 2017. Many of its more startling provisions have become well known since then. Of less dramatic impact are several provisions affecting qualified employer plans, fringe benefits, and certain kinds of compensation. These provisions are described in this client alert. This client ...

Taxpayers Should Prepare Now for GILTI and FDII

Michael Caballero spoke at a District of Columbia Bar Taxation Community event and is quoted in a Tax Notes article examining why taxpayers should evaluate their current structures to minimize their potential tax burdens from global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) and foreign-derived intangible income (FDII). According to Caballero, an issue affecting ...

Sports Group Of The Year: Covington & Burling

Covington was named a 2017 Sports Practice Group of the Year by Law360. According to Ben Block, one of the most rewarding aspects of the sports group is the opportunity to work with repeat clients. "But," he adds, "every year and every day is a new, different, and exciting challenge." Commenting on the Tax Court victory on behalf of the Boston Bruins in a ...

It's recommended Mexico review its fiscal regime

Robert Culbertson is quoted in an El Financiero article regarding the possible review of Mexico's tax regime. Culbertson, who spoke at a conference discussing the impact of tax reform in the U.S., said that given the fiscal environment in the U.S., it might be advisable for Mexico to revise its tax system.

In stock deals, bank sellers need to look at much more than price

Michael Reed spoke at the Bank Director's annual Acquire or Be Acquired conference and is quoted in an S&P Global article providing insight on what bank sellers should focus on during stock deals. According to Reed, it is vital for sellers to learn as much as they can about a buyer's M&A history and its relationships with regulators. A seller wants to see that ...

Robyn Polashuk Named Among Multichannel News’ “Women to Watch”

LOS ANGELES—Multichannel News has named Covington partner Robyn Polashuk to its 2018 class of “Women to Watch.” Ms. Polashuk is the only outside counsel named to the list. “This year’s group of Women to Watch is pushing the boundaries in both personal and professional achievements,” said Mark Robichaux, Editorial Director of Multichannel News. The award ...

#MCNWW 2018: Women to Watch

Robyn Polashuk was named to Multichannel News' 2018 class of “Women to Watch.” Commenting on what she likes most about her job, Polashuk says, "I love the diversity of the clients and projects, and the interesting new issues I am asked to address nearly every day in our evolving industry." In her profile, Polashuk also stresses the importance of growing ...

Clarifications On Tax Reform Will Come, Officials Say

Michael Caballero spoke at a tax conference in Washington and is quoted in a Law360 article regarding the recently enacted U.S. tax legislation. According to Caballero, the tax law’s creation of reasonably low-tax foreign income that’s now returned means that “we’ve got partially exempt and partially taxed income that we now have to take and push through the ...

IAB/4A’s Release Draft Standard Addendum for Digital Video Advertising in TV Long Form Video for Public Comment

Digital advertising typically involves a vast network of publishers, advertisers and their agencies, advertising exchanges and networks, technology platforms, and measurement and data analytics providers. To help streamline the commercial dealings of all of these parties in this complex ecosystem, advertising industry self-regulatory groups have developed ...

Covington Represents Bacardi in Acquisition of Patrón Tequila

WASHINGTON—Covington advised Bacardi Limited in its definitive agreement to acquire Patrón Spirits International AG and its PATRÓN® brand, the world’s top-selling ultra-premium tequila, from John Paul DeJoria, a founder of Patrón. The transaction reflects an enterprise value for Patrón of $5.1 billion. The transaction follows the successful relationship the ...

Department of Labor Scraps Prior Unpaid Intern Test and Adopts More Flexible Approach

The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced that it will apply a new, more flexible test for determining whether interns working for “for-profit” companies are entitled to minimum wage and overtime protection under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. In this client alert, we discuss the new test and identify some important points for employers to consider ...

A bond dispute threatens the future of Islamic finance

David Miles is quoted by The Economist in an article regarding what the latest developments in the Dana Gas case mean for Islamic finance. Miles welcomes provisions that waive borrowers’ rights to challenge an arrangement’s sharia compliance but says they do not solve the enforcement problem.

Clayton's Bid To Revive Public Markets Off To Modest Start

Donald Murray is quoted in a Law360 article regarding SEC Chairman Jay Clayton's efforts to make U.S. public markets more attractive. "It's no secret that he has capital formation, especially for smaller companies, in the middle of his gun sight," says Murray. "I think that we will see a thoughtful, continuous series of steps in toward lessening the burden, ...

SEC Staff Publishes Guidance Regarding Disclosure and New Tax Act

On December 22, 2017, the President signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “2017 Tax Act”). On the same day, the staff of the SEC’s Office of the Chief Accountant and Division of Corporation Finance (the “Staff”) issued guidance regarding the 2017 Tax Act in Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”),1 which addresses certain financial statement ...

Financial Times Names Covington to 2017 North America Innovators List

SILICON VALLEY—The Financial Times has recognized Covington among the most innovative firms in 2017 in the category of "Enabling Business Growth," for advising "Tencent in its acquisition of a $8.6bn majority stake in Supercell, the Finnish gaming company, while maintaining Supercell’s creative culture and retaining its employees by introducing incentive ...

Covington Represents Autifony Therapeutics in Collaboration and Option Deal with Boehringer Ingelheim

LONDON—Covington represented Autifony Therapeutics Limited in connection with an option and asset purchase agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim (BI), with respect to Autifony's Kv3.1/3.2 positive modulator platform. This agreement provides BI with an exclusive option to acquire Autifony’s Kv3.1/3.2 positive modulator platform, including Autifony's lead compound ...

Four Covington Partners Named Law360 MVPs

WASHINGTON—Law360 has named four Covington partners as MVPs in their respective practice areas. The awards single out lawyers from across numerous practice areas based on their success in high-stakes litigation, complex global matters, and record-breaking deals. The Covington lawyers recognized as Law360 MVPs are: Ray Biagini, Government Contracts. Mr. ...

Luxury Goods Manufacturers May Block Certain Online Sales on Third-Party Platforms

By Jennifer Boudet, Miranda Cole and Gemma Nash. On 6 December 2017, the Court of Justice of European Union (CJEU) issued its long-awaited Judgment in Coty Germany GmbH v Parfümerie Akzente GmbH. Taking an approach similar to that adopted by Advocate General (AG) Wahl in his Opinion in July, the CJEU found that a supplier of luxury goods may prevent...… ...

The EU List of Non-Cooperative Tax Jurisdictions: Implications for Global Businesses

On December 5, the European Union announced a “blacklist” of 17 countries it considers to be non-cooperative tax jurisdictions, with a further 47 countries at risk of being added to the list if they fail to meet EU criteria. The countries on the “blacklist” face possible economic sanctions and restrictions which businesses should be considering. The list is part ...

Transfer Pricing Specialists Urge A Return To Fundamentals

Samuel Maruca participated in a panel at the annual Institute on Current Issues in International Taxation event, and is quoted in a Law360 article regarding the current state of transfer pricing rules. According to Maruca, specific rules have a place, but it’s important to remember that “there obviously are principles underlying these rules.” Courts, he said, ...

Covington Advises Aristocrat in $990 Million Gaming Acquisition

WASHINGTON—Covington represented Aristocrat Leisure Limited in its $990 million acquisition of Big Fish Games, Inc. This acquisition expands Aristocrat’s Social Gaming business into new game genres. Aristocrat is a global provider of gaming solutions. It offers a diverse range of products and services including electronic gaming machines and casino management ...

The view from the Summit – Part One

Ursula Owczarkowski participated in a panel at the African Law & Business Summit and is quoted in an article providing a highlights from the event. Drawing on her 12 years of experience in the energy and gas sectors in sub-Saharan Africa, Owczarkowski noted that there was “huge scope for development," and huge demand for power – but the pace of change was slow, ...

What is U.S. law firm Covington looking to achieve in Africa?

Timothy Hester appeared on BBC's "Africa Business Report" to discuss the firm's increased focus on Africa with the opening of its Johannesburg office. "We've been focused on Africa for a number of years, and we've been helping clients navigate complex problems in Africa," says Hester. "More recently we had a tremendous opportunity to build a project finance and ...

NDRC Releases Draft Enterprise Outbound Investment Regulations for Public Comment

Earlier this month, China’s National Development and Reform Commission (“NDRC”) released the draft Administrative Measures for Enterprise Outbound Investment (“Draft ODI Rules”) for public comment. Comments are due on December 3, 2017.

Covington Advises Underwriters on $100 Million IPO of Merchants Bancorp

WASHINGTON—Covington advised the underwriters in the $100 million initial public offering of Merchants Bancorp. Merchants Bancorp is a diversified bank holding company headquartered in Carmel, Indiana. Merchants currently operates multiple lines of business with a focus on Federal Housing Administration multi-family housing and healthcare facility financing and ...

Tax Reform Bill Further Complicates FTC, IRS Official Says

Michael Caballero is quoted in a Tax Analysts article regarding how the tax reform bill further complicates the foreign tax credit (FTC). The current FTC rules are "insanely complex," says Caballero. "The one thing that's not in this bill, at least on the international side, is an ounce of simplification."

Miranda Cole Named Among Politico's "Women Who Shape Brussels"

BRUSSELS—Politico has named Covington partner Miranda Cole to its “2017 Women Who Shape Brussels” list, a group of “20 powerhouses driving debates and influencing policy in 2017.” In its profile of Ms. Cole, the publication highlights her defense of leading technology clients, including Microsoft, Facebook, and Verizon, before the European Commission. Politico ...

SEC Staff Publishes New Guidance for Shareholder Proposals

On November 1, 2017, the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Staff”) published Staff Legal Bulletin No. 14I (“SLB 14I”), which includes important new guidance regarding the Staff’s administration of the SEC’s shareholder proposal rule.

Covington Advises Financial Advisor to Advanced Accelerator Applications in $3.9 Billion Sale

NEW YORK—Covington represented Jefferies LLC as exclusive financial advisor to Advanced Accelerator Applications S.A. (AAAP) in its $3.9 billion all cash sale to Novartis AG. Based in Saint-Genis-Pouilly, France, AAAP is a radiopharmaceutical company developing, producing, and commercializing molecular nuclear medicine theragnostics. AAA’s theragnostic platform ...

House Bills Could Make IPOs And Private Offerings Easier

Eric Blanchard is quoted in a Law360 article regarding a pair of bills passed by the House of Representatives aimed at making initial public offerings and private offerings easier. Commenting on the Encouraging Public Offerings Act, Blanchard says, while not a "game changer," the bill is helpful. "I am sure people will take advantage of it if it is passed, and ...

The GOP Wants to Kill Rule That Led to Astronomical CEO Pay

Michael Francese is quoted in a Bloomberg article regarding a new rule under the Republican tax plan that would eliminate write-offs for performance-linked pay. According to Francese, it’ll apply to new amounts earned and deferred after 2017, while existing balances will be subject to the new rule by 2026. Many companies will likely start phasing out their plans ...

New Requirements for Public Company Auditor’s Reports

On October 23, 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) issued an order granting approval of a proposal by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) to adopt Auditing Standard (“AS”) 3101, The Auditor’s Report on an Audit of Financial Statements When the Auditor Expresses an Unqualified Opinion, and related amendments to other ...

Covington Advises SK Holdings in Acquisition of Significant Minority Interest in Eureka Midstream

NEW YORK—Covington represented SK Holdings Co., Ltd. in its acquisition of a significant minority interest in Eureka Midstream Holdings, LLC, a midstream energy company that owns and operates approximately 340 miles of gas gathering pipelines in Ohio and West Virginia. The transaction closed in early October 2017. SK Group is a top three conglomerate in South ...

A stronger steer on content of U.K. Modern Slavery Act statements… and further developments on the horizon?

The UK government recently provided updated guidance on the transparency in supply chains reporting requirement in section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act (about which, see more here). Brands with an international footprint should be aware of developments in the guidance as well as developments on the cards in other countries. According to the guidance,...… ...

Covington Advises Underwriters in $400 Million Bond Offering for Clorox

NEW YORK—Covington advised the underwriters in a registered public offering by The Clorox Company in an aggregate principal amount of $400 million. Clorox is a leading multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products based in Oakland, California. Clorox markets some of the most recognized consumer brand names, including its namesake ...

Covington Advises Zoetis in $1.25 Billion Debt Securities Offering

NEW YORK, October 5, 2017—Covington advised Zoetis Inc. in an underwritten public offering of its investment grade notes in an aggregate principal amount of $1.25 billion. Zoetis is a global leader in the discovery, development, manufacture, and commercialization of animal health medicines and vaccines, with a focus on both livestock and companion animals. This ...

Emin Toro Named to the American College of Tax Counsel

WASHINGTON—Covington partner Emin Toro has been named a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel. Mr. Toro concentrates on the needs of multinational companies, including both tax controversies and counseling. His controversy experience includes audits, administrative appeals, litigation, as well as advance pricing agreement and competent authority ...

Ingrid Rechtin Among The Recorder's "Women Leaders in Tech Law"

SAN FRANCISCO—The Recorder has named Covington partner Ingrid Rechtin to its list of “2017 Women Leaders in Tech Law.” This annual recognition commemorates “recent outstanding work by California-based lawyers whose practices focus on technology companies and issues.” In its profile of Ms. Rechtin, the publication highlights her representation of Sanofi in ...

Covington Named International Firm of the Year for Trade by China Law & Practice

BEIJING—China Law & Practice has named Covington as the international winner for “Trade Firm of the Year” at its annual awards ceremony in Beijing. The leading Chinese legal publication also recognized the firm for its role in the Technology, Media, and Telecom “Deal of the Year,” Tencent’s $8.6 billion acquisition of Supercell. The awards focus on “innovation ...

Women Leaders in Tech Law: Ingrid Rechtin, Covington & Burling

The Recorder named Ingrid Rechtin one of its "2017 Women Leaders in Tech Law." In her profile, Ms. Rechtin provides advice to young lawyers in tech. She says, "Be flexible and open to new opportunities. The tech space evolves quickly and as a lawyer you can provide more value to your clients if you have a broader view—across industries, companies of all sizes, ...

SEC Provides New Guidance on Pay Ratio Disclosure Rule

On September 21, 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as well as the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance (the “Staff”), published new interpretive guidance to assist public companies in complying with the SEC’s pay ratio disclosure rule. The new guidance addresses many questions that have been raised regarding the rule, including how a ...

The Top Three Political Law Risks for Hedge Funds, Private Equity Funds, and Investment Firms

Perhaps no industry faces more scrutiny and regulation of its political activities than the financial industry. Even though these rules are often not intuitive, failure to comply with them can result in big penalties, loss of business, and debilitating reputational consequences. This primer describes three sometimes overlooked risk areas for investment firms: ...

China's State Council Publishes New Guidance on Regulation of Outbound Investment

On August 18, 2017, the General Office of China’s State Council released to the public new guidance regarding the regulation of outbound investment. The guidance is set forth in a notice, dated August 4, 2017, forwarding “guiding opinions” (the “Opinions”) from the National Development and Reform Commission (“NDRC”), Ministry of Commerce (“MOFCOM”), People's ...

Covington Advises Howard Bancorp On $163.4 Million Acquisition

NEW YORK—Covington advised Howard Bancorp, Inc., the bank holding company for Howard Bank, in its acquisition of First Mariner Bank, a community bank headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. The transaction value is approximately $163.4 million. The Covington team consisted of Michael Reed, Rusty Conner, Chris DeCresce, Matt Wood, and Nora ...

Covington Again Named a Top International Law Firm in Latin America

NEW YORK—Covington has again been selected by Latinvex as a “Top International Law Firm” doing work in Latin America. In addition to this honor, Latinvex has recognized Covington as a leading firm in the FCPA & Fraud, International Arbitration, and Corporate/M&A subcategories. Covington’s Latin America practice draws on a dedicated team of lawyers and advisors ...

The Greening of America

Andrew Jack is quoted in a Corporate Board Member article regarding the pressures facing boards to increase companies' sustainability efforts. "The direction of global capitalism is still toward reducing the carbon intensity of the energy infrastructure and continuing to invest in technology that drives greater efficiency," Jack says. "Capital tries to get the ...

Covington Advises Mexichem on its $1.8 Billion Acquisition of Israeli Irrigation Firm

WASHINGTON—Covington is advising Mexichem, S.A.B. de C.V. on its $1.895 billion acquisition of an 80 percent stake in Netafim, Ltd., the world’s largest irrigation company, from private equity and buyout firm Permira, Kibbutz Magal and Kibbutz Hatzerim. Kibbutz Hatzerim will retain a 20 percent stake. Covington has also been assisting with the related ...

Covington Advises Aristocrat in Acquisition of Plarium and Related Acquisition Financing

WASHINGTON—Covington, together with Israeli-based law firm Allens and Herzog Fox & Neeman, is representing Aristocrat Leisure Limited, a leading provider of gaming solutions, in its acquisition of Plarium Global Limited and the related acquisition financing. Aristocrat will make an upfront cash payment of $500 million plus earn-out payments based on Plarium’s ...

Covington Wins Two American Lawyer Global Legal Awards

WASHINGTON—The American Lawyer honored Covington with two Global Legal Awards, recognizing the firm’s success in “navigating complex international legal issues.” The firm was recognized for “Global M&A Deal of the Year: Japan” and “Global Dispute of the Year: Investigations (Asia).” Covington advised Tencent Holdings Limited, a leading provider of internet ...

Covington Represents IFM Therapeutics in $300 Million Sale of Assets to BMS

NEW YORK—Covington is representing IFM Therapeutics in its sale to Bristol Myers Squibb for $300 million in cash and the right to receive contingent payments upon achievement of specified milestones that could total in excess of $1 billion for each of its two oncology programs. Prior to closing, IFM will spin off its inflammation program to a newly-formed ...

Covington Advises Underwriters in $138 Million Stock Offering by Repligen

NEW YORK—Covington advised the underwriters in a $138 million follow-on public offering of common stock by Repligen Corporation. Covington previously represented the underwriters in Repligen's $115 million convertible note offering in May 2016. Repligen is a bioprocessing company focused on the manufacture of Protein A ligands, cell culture growth factors, and ...

A new driver: Graham Vinter

Graham Vinter was interviewed by The Law Society Gazette about his move to Covington and the importance of respect for the rule of law. Vinter, who serves as chair of a new independent body that aims to promote the rule of law across the international business community, says, "As multinational companies develop their supply chains and markets both at home and ...

Cyber Insurance for Corporations

Participated in a webinar titled “Cyber Insurance for Corporations: Why Your Clients Need It, What to Look For, and How to Evaluate It.” The presentation focused on cyber insurance, the changing insurance markets offering this emerging coverage and the insurance coverage considerations that policyholders must be aware of when considering the purchase of cyber ...

Covington Represents Australian Medical Research Institute in Landmark Royalty Monetization

NEW YORK—Covington advised The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI), Australia's oldest medical research institute, in its landmark monetization of a portion of its royalties relating to the cancer drug Venetoclax. The purchaser, a wholly owned subsidiary of Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, paid US$250 million upfront, and agreed to ...

Covington Advises Central European Media Enterprises on $262.2 Million Deal

LONDON—Covington is advising Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. (CME) on the sale of its broadcast operations in Croatia and Slovenia to Slovenia Broadband S.à r.l for approximately $262.2 million. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2017. CME is a NASDAQ-listed media and entertainment company operating leading businesses in six Central and ...

Buyers Struggle To Stomach Valuation Gap Amid Uncertainty

Jack Bodner is quoted in a Law360 article regarding the U.S. mergers and acquisitions market. “We've seen and I think we'll continue to see good M&A activity in the nonmegadeal and middle market tier. We've seen less and I think we'll continue to see less activity than the most robust years in the megadeal area, but overall it's been a busy year for M&A in ...

Covington Secures Tax Court Victory for Boston Bruins

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Tax Court ruled in favor of Covington’s client the Boston Bruins in a dispute with the IRS over away-game meal costs. The IRS had argued that the Bruins were entitled to deduct only 50 percent of the costs of meals that the club served to its players and other employees during road trips. The Tax Court declined to accept this view and ...

SEC Permits All Companies to File Certain Registration Statements Confidentially

On June 29, 2017, the Division of Corporate Finance of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Division”) announced that it will permit all companies to submit drafts of certain registration statements to the Division on a confidential basis, expanding a popular privilege that was made available to emerging growth companies (“EGCs”) under the Jumpstart Our ...

Tax Court Rules for Boston Bruins in Case Involving Deductibility of Meal Costs

In a case that could have wide-ranging effect across the sports industry and potentially beyond, the U.S. Tax Court ruled on June 26, 2017, that the Boston Bruins were allowed to deduct 100 percent of the costs of meals that they served to their players and other employees at hotels while traveling for road games. The IRS had argued that only 50 percent of those ...

Legal teams rally to defend the rule of law

Graham Vinter is quoted in a Financial Times article regarding the importance of defending the rule of law to businesses around the world. “The main onus on establishing respect for the rule of law, or establishing the rule of law in a country, is with the politicians,” says Vinter. “It’s too difficult to expect business to bring about change in a particular ...

Covington Lawyers Win Three “Europe Women in Business Law Awards"

LONDON—Euromoney Legal Media Group has selected three Covington lawyers for its annual “Europe Women in Business Law Awards.” The awards honor women in the legal sector across Europe. The Covington lawyers recognized are: Louise Nash, Best in Mergers & Acquisitions. Ms. Nash focuses on M&A and other transactional matters for clients in the consumer brands, ...

Savvy PE Attys Can Cash In On Blazing Secondaries Market

Loretta Shaw-Lorello, Kelly Labritz, and William Sturman are quoted in a Law360 article regarding the private equity secondaries market. “The market has gained new prominence in the last few years,” says Shaw-Lorello. According to Labritz, working on secondaries transactions involves a combination of skills from multiple different practice types. In order to ...

Three Covington Partners Among Top 100 Women Lawyers in California

LOS ANGELES—Covington partners Robyn Polashuk, Clara Shin, and Sonya Winner have been named to the Daily Journal’s 2017 “Top 100 Women Lawyers” list, which recognizes the leading women lawyers in California who “try complex commercial disputes and put together industry-transforming deals.” Managing partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office, Ms. Polashuk focuses ...

Covington Named One of America’s Best by Corporate Board Member

NEW YORK—Corporate Board Member magazine has once again named Covington to its list of the top 25 corporate law firms. The “America’s Best Corporate Law Firms” survey asks directors and general counsels at publicly traded companies to identify the firms they would most likely retain for corporate legal matters of national scope. “Covington is proud that we are ...

Covington Advises Kate Spade’s Financial Advisor in its $2.4 Billion Sale to Coach

NEW YORK—Covington advised Perella Weinberg Partners as financial advisor to Kate Spade & Company in connection with its sale to Coach, Inc. for approximately $2.4 billion. Kate Spade & Company is a fashion company that designs and markets a range of women's and men's apparel, accessories, and fragrance products under the Kate Spade New York and Jack Spade ...

The European Commission Publishes its Final Report on the E-commerce Sector Inquiry

On 10 May 2017 the European Commission published its Final Report on the E-commerce Sector Inquiry (the “Report”). The Commission’s E-commerce Sector Inquiry, launched on 6 May 6 2015 as part of the Digital Single Market Strategy, gathered evidence from nearly 1,900 companies connected with the online sale of consumer goods and digital content. The...… ...

Retailers in breach of minimum wage regulations

On Tuesday 9 May, John Lewis PLC announced that it had set aside £36m, as it became the latest in a long line of retailers to fall foul of the U.K.’s national minimum wage regulations. The group ascribed the shortfall to its practice of “pay averaging”, which it introduced in 2006. Under this policy, John...… Continue Reading

Covington to Open South Africa Office

Graham Vinter is quoted in an Africa Capital Digest article regarding the expansion of Covington's Project Finance practice with the arrival of four new partners and the opening of offices in Johannesburg and Dubai. “The team’s reputation in project finance is absolutely first class, and we are delighted with their decision to join the firm,” says Vintner. “Not ...

Covington announces Johannesburg opening with Chadbourne hires

Timothy Hester and Graham Vinter are quoted in an African Law & Business article regarding the expansion of Covington's Project Finance practice with the arrival of four new partners and the opening of offices in Johannesburg and Dubai. According to Hester, the additions are “a natural progression of our strategy to build a leading projects practice.” He adds ...

Covington Hires Reed Smith's Former Silicon Valley Leader

Catharina Min and Tom DeFilipps are quoted by The Recorder in an article regarding Min's arrival to the firm's M&A practice. Min, who predominantly represents technology industry clients, notes that her interest in Covington was largely due to the firm's regulatory expertise. "They're just at the forefront of so many cutting-edge issues," says Min. "Most of ...

Covington Adds Reed Smith Tech M&A Partner in Calif.

Catharina Min and Tom DeFilipps are quoted in a Law360 article regarding Min's arrival to Covington's Mergers and Acquisitions practice. According to DeFilipps, who has worked with Min in the past, “Her ability to advise companies navigating an ever-changing technology landscape will enhance the firm’s corporate practice as we continue to build our ...

Technology M&A Lawyer Joins Covington

SILICON VALLEY—Catharina Min has joined Covington as a partner in its Corporate practice in Silicon Valley. Recently named among the “Top 50 Multicultural Leaders in Technology” by the National Diversity Council, Ms. Min handles a range of transactions for U.S. and international technology companies, including M&A, private financings, joint ventures, strategic ...

Choice Act 2.0: Key Capital Markets and Securities Law Provisions

On April 19, 2017, the House Financial Services Committee (the “Committee”) released a new “discussion draft” of the Financial CHOICE Act (“CHOICE Act 2.0”), its comprehensive regulatory reform bill aimed at revising or repealing many features of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”). The Committee released the first ...

Fintech Regulation

Randy Benjenk is quoted in BankBeat regarding the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s decision to develop a limited purpose national banking charter for fintech. Commenting on the development of guidelines, Mr. Benjenk says, “the initiative began as a non-partisan issue, but it is turning more partisan as more details are put on the table, with different ...

Covington Expands Project Finance Team

LONDON—Covington significantly expanded its Project Development and Finance practice with the addition of Ben Donovan, Agnieszka Klich, Richard Keenan, and David Miles, and the firm’s Middle East regional capabilities in corporate and dispute resolution matters with the addition of Jack Greenwald. With these additions, the firm also opened offices in Dubai and ...

Covington Opens Two New Offices After Adding Chadbourne Team

Timothy Hester is quoted in an American Lawyer article regarding the expansion of Covington's Project Finance practice with the arrival of four new partners and the opening of offices in Dubai and Johannesburg. According to Hester, the firm’s Chadbourne recruits in Dubai and Johannesburg will create a bridge between Covington’s outposts in Africa, Asia, Europe ...

Covington Expands into Dubai and Jo'burg

Graham Vinter is quoted in an IJ Global article regarding the expansion of Covington's Project Finance practice with the arrival of four new partners and the opening of offices in Dubai and Johannesburg. According to Vinter, “We already have strong ties in the Middle East and North Africa region and want to be at the table when countries in that region launch ...

Covington hires Chadbourne quartet ahead of office launches

Timothy Hester and Graham Vinter are quoted by The Lawyer in an article regarding the expansion of Covington's Project Finance practice with the arrival of four new partners and the opening of offices in Dubai and Johannesburg. According to Hester, “We have been looking to build our project finance team for a long time." He adds, "This group became available to ...

Team of Chadbourne partners opt against Norton Rose merger to launch two offices for Covington

Timothy Hester is quoted in a Legal Week article regarding the expansion of Covington's Project Finance practice with the arrival of four new partners and the opening of offices in Dubai and Johannesburg. According to Hester, “We have been focused on building our project finance capabilities for many years, and these opportunities fit very well with that ...

Trump Tax Reform Proposal

On April 26, 2017, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn introduced the Trump Administration’s tax reform proposal (the “Trump Proposal”) in a briefing. The proposal appears to borrow heavily from the tax reform plan put out by Mr. Trump during his presidential campaign with the significant exception that this ...

Robyn Polashuk Among LA’s "Most Influential Women Lawyers"

LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles Business Journal has named Covington partner Robyn Polashuk one of the “Most Influential Women Lawyers” in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Business Journal recognized Ms. Polashuk’s “unique practice that lies at the intersection of traditional and digital media.” The profile highlighted Ms. Polashuk’s representation of entertainment ...

SEC Signals Some Relief on Conflict Minerals Rule

On April 7, 2017, the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance (the “Division”) issued a statement indicating that it will not recommend enforcement action to the SEC if companies subject to the SEC’s conflict minerals reporting rule only file disclosure under the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of Item 1.01 of Form SD, and not under paragraph (c) of Item ...

Covington & Burling Adds Ex-Tyco Counsel In M&A Practice

Thomas Repke is quoted in a Law360 article regarding his arrival to the firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions practice. “This is an opportunity to share best practices, put the best teams together, which the firm is really conducive to,” Repke says. “Providing excellence in client service and that’s really the goal. Having been in-house for the past seven years, ...

China Seeks Public Comments on Draft Regulation of Cross-Border Data Transfer

On April 11, 2017, the Cyberspace Administration of China (“CAC”) released a draft of the Measures on Security Assessment of Cross-border Data Transfer of Personal Information and Important Data (“the Draft Measures”) for public comment (official Chinese version available here; Covington’s translation of the Draft Measures is appended at the end of this alert).

SEC Requires Hyperlinks to Exhibits

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has adopted amendments to its rules and forms that will require companies filing registration statements and reports subject to the exhibit requirements of Item 601 of Regulation S-K to include an active hyperlink to each exhibit listed in the exhibit index, whether or not the exhibit is incorporated by ...

ASICS’ ONLINE SALES RESTRICTIONS CONFIRMED AS ILLEGAL BY DUESSELDORF HIGHER REGIONAL COURT

On 5 April 2017, the Duesseldorf Higher Regional Court confirmed the August 2015 decision of the Federal Cartel Office finding that it is anti-competitive and therefore illegal to impose on distributors a general prohibition on the use of online price comparison portals. The Cartel Office had faulted Asics over imposing the following restrictions on its...… ...

Covington Adds Senior M&A Partner

WASHINGTON—Thomas Repke, who has extensive M&A private practice and in-house experience, has joined Covington as a partner in its Mergers and Acquisitions practice in Washington. Most recently, Mr. Repke served as lead counsel for Tyco on all M&A, divestiture, joint venture, and investment transactions across all business units. While at Tyco, he helped ...

EU Adopts Final Regulation On Importation of Conflict Minerals

On March 16, 2017, following a lengthy legislative process, the European Parliament approved a final regulation implementing a new due diligence and reporting regime for “conflict minerals” (i.e., tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and gold) imported in the EU. The regulation will enter into force 20 days after formal approval by the Council of Ministers ...

Covington Advises AstraZeneca on Strategic Collaboration with Circassia

LONDON—Covington advised AstraZeneca on its strategic collaboration with Circassia Pharmaceuticals plc, a respiratory biopharmaceutical company, for the development and commercialisation of Tudorza and Duaklir* in the U.S. Tudorza and Duaklir are inhaled respiratory medicines for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Tudorza was ...

Leading M&A Lawyer Joins Covington

NEW YORK—Tom Kuhn has joined Covington’s Mergers and Acquisitions practice, and will focus on media and technology transactions. He will be based in the firm’s New York office. Mr. Kuhn is a seasoned M&A deal maker, with experience both as a lawyer and as a banker. He also advises on corporate governance matters and provides strategic counseling. He has ...

Latinvex Names Gabriel Mesa and Nicole Duclos Among "Top 100 Lawyers"

NEW YORK—Latinvex has named Covington partners Gabriel Mesa and Nicole Duclos among “Latin America’s Top 100 Lawyers” in 2017. Mr. Mesa counsels corporations in joint ventures and private mergers and acquisitions in Latin America and other emerging markets, as well as in the United States. A client described Mr. Mesa as "an excellent lawyer,” noting that his ...

Don't Expect Snap To Single-Handedly Revive IPO Market

Donald Murray is quoted in a Law360 article regarding SNAP Inc.’s expected $3 billion initial public offering. According to Murray, “There are so many unusual aspects to this offering that it’s going to be hard to draw any conclusions from it.” Commenting on the effect of the deal on future IPO candidates, Murray says, “I think it’s far more important not to ...

Comparison of Tax Reform Proposals

With the Republican Party now in control of the White House and both houses of Congress, and with both President Trump and GOP Congressional leadership having publicly committed to enacting comprehensive tax reform, we believe that passage of a tax reform bill is likely to occur later this year or next year. This timing creates an urgent need for clients to ...

Life Sciences Group Of The Year: Covington & Burling

Law360 selected Covington’s Life Sciences practice as a “Practice Group of the Year,” highlighting the firm’s involvement in billion-dollar transactions, success in contentious litigation, and regulatory advice on cutting-edge technology. According to Michael Labson, “What we offer and bring to complicated, complex issues is a mixture of deep subject-matter ...

Potential Effects of the Presidential Transition on Recent Tax Regulations

The new Trump Administration has generated significant uncertainty about the applicability of a number of tax regulations finalized in the waning days of the Obama Administration. On the day of President Trump’s inauguration, Reince Priebus, the Chief of Staff of the White House issued a memorandum to all the heads of executive agencies to pause certain of their ...

KWM London's former head of fraud and investigations joins Covington

Ian Hargreaves and David Lorello are quoted in a Global Investigations Review article regarding Hargreaves’ recent arrival to Covington. According to Hargreaves, the firm’s “pre-eminence in dispute resolution, and its immense strength and global recognition as a market-leader in white-collar crime matters and investigations” fueled his decision. Lorello says, ...

Delaware Court Applies Business Judgment Rule to Stockholder Approved Transaction Involving Controlling Stockholder

The Delaware Court of Chancery earlier this week ruled that the protection of the business judgment rule afforded to directors involved in a change of control transaction that is approved by a majority of fully informed, disinterested stockholders—as reinforced by the Delaware Supreme Court in 2015 in Corwin v. KKR Financial Holdings LLC (discussed in our prior ...

White Collar and Fraud Specialist Joins Covington’s European Practice

LONDON—Ian Hargreaves has joined Covington as a partner in the firm’s European Dispute Resolution practice resident in London. Mr. Hargreaves’ arrival follows that of litigation partners Craig Pollack, Greg Lascelles, Elaine Whiteford, and Louise Freeman over the past six months. Mr. Hargreaves advises on major European white collar and related civil and ...

The Laterals Audit: Tax Attorney Moves In January

Law360 featured Ed McClellan’s addition to Covington’s Public Policy and Government Affairs practice in a round-up of notable tax attorney moves in January. According to McClellan, there is tremendous private sector interest in GOP plans to cut corporate tax rates, provide a 100 percent exemption for foreign earnings, allow full expensing of capital investments ...

Covington Represents India-Based Healthcare Company In Drug Portfolio Acquisition

WASHINGTON—Covington represented India-based Piramal Enterprises and its wholly owned Critical Care subsidiary in the UK in its agreement to acquire a portfolio of intrathecal spasticity and pain management drugs from Mallinckrodt LLC. The purchase price was $171 million, plus an earn-out of up to an additional $32 million. This is the third acquisition that ...

FTSE giants launch GC network to tackle rule of law failures

Graham Vinter is quoted by The Law Society Gazette in an article regarding the new initiative of the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law, which he will chair. According to Vinter, “As multinational companies develop their supply chains and markets both at home and around the world, they are encountering a complex set of legal risks including contractual ...

3 Questions Shaping 2017 JPMorgan Health Care Conference

Eric Blanchard is quoted in a Law360 article providing a roundup of top-of-mind questions at this year’s JPMorgan health care conference. According to Blanchard, “I think the real question is: Are people going to buy this year?” He adds, “Is there going to be investor demand?” Commenting on mergers and acquisitions, Blanchard says, “By and large, if there is a ...

Ex-Senate Finance Tax Counsel Joins Covington & Burling

Timothy Hester and Ed McClellan are quoted in a Law360 article regarding McClellan’s recent arrival to the firm’s Tax and Public Policy and Government Affairs practices. According to Hester, “Given the inevitability of new tax legislation that will have significant effects across the economy, Ed is a highly valuable resource in an area of great importance for ...

Former Senate Finance Tax Counsel Joins Covington

WASHINGTON—Ed McClellan has joined Covington as a partner in its Tax and Public Policy and Government Affairs practices resident in Washington. Mr. McClellan served as Tax Counsel for the U.S. Senate Finance Committee and as a senior policy and technical advisor to two chairmen of the Committee, Senator Chuck Grassley and the late Senator Bill Roth. Mr. ...

Circuits Split on Constitutionality of SEC Administrative Law Judges

One piece of the ongoing debate over the Securities and Exchange Commission’s use of Administrative Law Judges to adjudicate enforcement actions may be heading to the U.S. Supreme Court. On December 27, 2016, in Bandimere v. SEC, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit invalidated SEC sanctions against an individual on the ground that the ALJ who ...

Activist Investors Set For Busy 2017

Leonard Chazen is quoted in a Law360 article regarding trends that will shape shareholder activism in 2017. According to Chazen, “[If] you have an activist campaign that is really financial engineering without a persuasive critique of the company’s business plan, I think it is hard for an activist to win.”

5 Trends That Shaped The IPO Landscape In 2016

Donald Murray is quoted in a Law360 article providing an overview of trends that shaped the IPO landscape in 2016. Commenting on health care deal flow and the effect of financial struggles in the specialty pharma area, Murray says, “That had at least a psychological, depressing effect on investors’ appetite during the course of the year.”

Covington Receives M&A Atlas Award for Cross Border Deal of the Year

NEW YORK—Covington was honored at the Americas M&A Atlas Awards ceremony held in New York on December 6. The firm was recognized for Cross Border Deal of the Year in connection with its representation of Grupo P.I. Mabe S.A., a Mexican manufacturer of disposable hygienic products, in its sale to Ontex, Ltd., a publicly traded international producer of personal ...

China Business Law Journal Names Weishi Li Among Top Lawyers

SHANGHAI—China Business Law Journal has named Covington partner Weishi Li to its “A-List” of the top 100 private practice lawyers in China. Ms. Li is one of two life sciences lawyers recognized by the magazine. China Business Law Journal’s inaugural A-list is based on interviews of in-house counsel in China and around the world, as well as partners at Chinese ...

A New Foreign Investment Regime in the UK

Those who track investment policy issues will have noticed an important theme emerging in recent years of Western economies evaluating their foreign investment regimes, in particular in light of the outflow from China into technology, infrastructure and natural resource assets. The UK is now considering, and is expected to adopt, a new foreign investment regime ...

SEC Proposes Rules Requiring the Use of Universal Proxy Cards in Contested Director Elections

In late October, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed long-awaited changes to the proxy rules that would require parties in a contested election of directors to distribute universal proxy cards, i.e., a proxy card that includes director candidates nominated by a company’s management as well as those nominated by a shareholder. Under current ...

SportsBusiness Journal Names Two From Covington to “50 Most Influential” List

WASHINGTON—SportsBusiness Journal has named Doug Gibson and Gregg Levy to its list of the “50 Most Influential People in Sports Business.” Mr. Gibson and Mr. Levy are two of only four lawyers in private practice on the list, which also includes league commissioners and team owners, broadcast industry and sponsor company CEOs, and other high-profile executives in ...

SEC Enhances Exemptions for Local Offerings

The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) recently adopted rules to update and enhance registration exemptions for intrastate and regional securities offerings. The final rules amend Rule 147, a safe harbor for exempt intrastate offerings under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). In addition, the final rules establish a new offering ...

Covington Advises Cantor Fitzgerald in Signal Genetics Merger

NEW YORK—Covington is advising Cantor Fitzgerald as financial advisor to Signal Genetics in connection with Signal’s merger transaction with miRagen Therapeutics. Signal is a commercial stage, molecular diagnostic company that provides innovative diagnostic services that help physicians make better-informed decisions concerning the care of cancer patients. ...

Covington Advises Jefferies in $830 Million Deal

NEW YORK—Covington is advising Jefferies as financial advisor to CNL Lifestyles Properties in connection with the sale of 34 ski and attraction assets to EPR Properties and Ski Resorts Holdings for approximately $830 million in cash and shares of EPR common stock. CNL is a REIT focused on investing in lifestyle activities and whose portfolio includes ski and ...

Trump's election: Implications for US infrastructure

Andrew Jack is quoted in an IJ Global article regarding the implications of Donald Trump’s election for U.S. infrastructure. According to Jack, although there is much uncertainty about what might change, “there’s a lot of things that are going to continue regardless of who is in government.” Jack points out that there will continue to be technological ...

California Appeals Court Affirms Permanent Injunction Against Use of Noncompete in California Contracts

In a recent case, Robinson v. U-Haul Company of California, the California Court of Appeal for the First Appellate District affirmed a trial court's award of attorney’s fees and issuance of a permanent injunction against a company from using a noncompete in its California dealer contracts.

Covington Represents India-Based Healthcare Company in Acquisition

WASHINGTON—Covington represented India-based Piramal Enterprises and its wholly owned Critical Care subsidiary in the UK in the acquisition of five anesthesia and pain management injectable products from Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, in an all cash deal for an upfront consideration of US$155 million, and up to an additional US$20 million. The products to be acquired ...

Covington Advises AstraZeneca on Divestment of Rights to Rhinocort Aqua

LONDON—Covington advised AstraZeneca on its agreement with Cilag GmbH International, an affiliate of Johnson & Johnson, for the divestment of the rights to Rhinocort Aqua outside the U.S. Rhinocort Aqua is a nasal spray indicated for allergic and non-allergic rhinitis (inflammation of the inside of the nose), and for the treatment of nasal polyps (swelling of ...

Prominent M&A Lawyer Joins Covington

NEW YORK—David Schwartzbaum has joined Covington as a partner in the Mergers and Acquisitions practice resident in New York. Mr. Schwartzbaum represents buyers, sellers, and financial advisors in public and private M&A transactions. “David has a strong reputation for representing investment banks and financial advisors in M&A transactions, and he will play an ...

Any Agreements with Employees Might Implicate Whistleblower Rules

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) continues to aggressively pursue companies using severance and other employment agreements that could be perceived to discourage employees from reporting possible securities law violations. Three enforcement actions this past summer demonstrate the need for companies to proactively review and give consideration ...

Covington Boosts Project Finance Capability with London Hire

LONDON—Graham Vinter, General Counsel of BG Group plc from 2007 until 2015, has joined Covington’s London office. Mr. Vinter will chair the firm’s Project Finance practice and supervise an expansion of the firm’s capabilities in this area. At BG Group, Mr. Vinter was a member of the Group Executive Committee and reported to the Chief Executive Officer. He was ...

Ex-BG general counsel Vinter to join Covington & Burling in London

Timothy Hester and Graham Vinter are quoted in a Legal Week article regarding Vinter’s recent arrival. According to Hester, "We see an opportunity at Covington to build a leading projects practice that also provides synergies with other parts of the firm - in particular, arbitration, government affairs, tax, corporate, IP, and energy regulation. As we move along ...

Ex-BG Group legal chief Vinter joins Covington as head of project finance

Timothy Hester and Graham Vinter are quoted by The Lawyer in an article regarding Vinter’s arrival. According to Hester, Vinter’s hire was “an opportunity to build a leading projects practice that also provides synergies with other parts of the firm – in particular, arbitration, government affairs, tax corporate, IP and energy regulation.” Vinter adds, ...

Vinter is coming: Covington boosts projects offering as former BG GC returns to private practice

Timothy Hester and Graham Vinter are quoted in a Legal Business article regarding Vinter’s arrival as chair of Covington’s Project Finance practice. Hester describes Vinter as a “veteran of the project finance industry [who] is highly respected worldwide for his unparalleled knowledge of the sector.” He adds, “We see an opportunity at Covington to build a ...

Covington Snaps Up Project Finance Veteran In London

Timothy Hester and Graham Vinter are quoted in a Law360 article regarding Vinter’s recent arrival as chair of the firm’s Project Finance practice. According to Hester, “Graham is a veteran of the project finance industry and is highly respected worldwide for his unparalleled knowledge of the sector.” He continues, “We see an opportunity at Covington to build a ...

Covington Advises on One of the Largest U.S. Pension Transfers

WASHINGTON—Covington advised WestRock Company in its transfer of $2.5 billion of pension liabilities to Prudential Insurance Company of America. WestRock’s pension plan will purchase a group annuity contract from Prudential covering approximately 35,000 retirees and beneficiaries. This is one of the largest pension transfer transactions to have occurred in the ...

Covington Continues Calif. Growth With Sidley Palo Alto Leader

Tom DeFilipps and Doug Gibson are quoted by The Recorder in an article regarding DeFilipps’ recent move to Covington, where he will serve as chair of the West Coast corporate practice. According to DeFilipps, “Covington presented to me an opportunity to do something that sounded very interesting at this point in my career.” He continues, "I felt as though it was ...

Silicon Valley Dealmaker Joins Covington

Timothy Hester and Tom DeFilipps are quoted in an ABF Journal article regarding the arrival of DeFilipps to Covington. According to Hester, “Adding Tom to our Silicon Valley office is a major step forward in our plan for continued growth in California.” DeFilipps says, “I am very pleased to join Covington’s growing California practice.” He continues, “I am ...

Covington grabs partner from Sidley to grow NorCal offices

Tom DeFilipps and Doug Gibson are quoted in a Daily Journal article regarding DeFilipps’ move to Covington’s Silicon Valley office. Commenting on the draw to Covington DeFilipps says, “One of the more compelling aspects of the Covington platforms is the way it allows you to meld the strength of its regulatory practice in D.C. and non-U.S. jurisdictions, like ...

Leading Silicon Valley Dealmaker Joins Covington

SILICON VALLEY—Tom DeFilipps has joined Covington as a partner in the Silicon Valley office and will serve as chair of the West Coast Corporate practice. “Adding Tom to our Silicon Valley office is a major step forward in our plan for continued growth in California,” said Timothy Hester, Covington’s chair. “Tom has built a successful Northern California ...

Covington Nabs Sidley NorCal Vet To Lead West Coast Deals

Timothy Hester and Tom DeFilipps are quoted in a Law360 article regarding DeFilipps’ recent arrival. According to Hester, “Adding Tom to our Silicon Valley office is a major step forward in our plan for continued growth in California.” He continues, “Tom has built a successful Northern California corporate practice over many years and has a demonstrated track ...

Pay-to-Play Rules for Swap Dealers

As election season enters full swing, with political candidates at all levels actively soliciting campaign donations from individuals and companies, it is an ideal time for all companies to review the policies and procedures in place for political donations. While the SEC’s pay-to-play rules governing registered investment advisers and their “covered associates” ...

Shareholder Activism Here to Stay Because It's Good Business

Leonard Chazen is quoted in a Bloomberg BNA article regarding trends and trajectories involving activist investor campaigns. According to Chazen, the increase in the number of activist funds as well as the amount of money flowing into the funds was fueled by the traditional buy-and-hold hedge funds that were underperforming the market. He adds, activism is ...

Walpole Luxury Summit: The Americas in association with Covington

On 30 June 2016, over 150 people attended the Walpole Luxury Summit: 2016 The Americas, which was ran in association with Covington in London. Louise Nash from Covington welcomed all of the attendees to the event and an impressive line-up of speakers presented on the latest developments and opportunities in the American market. Topics that...… Continue Reading

7 Lessons M&A Attys Learned The Hard Way

Scott Anthony is quoted in a Law360 article that offers advice to associates from established M&A partners. According to Anthony, “Presentations need to be crisp. What that really means is that you need to memorize some of these legal standards that we use on a regular basis.” He continues, “The point is really that if you can do that, you still have to be able ...

Covington Represents Dana-Farber in Royalty Monetization

NEW YORK—Covington advised Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in its monetization of a portion of its interest in royalties related to its Programmed Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1) intellectual property. PD-L1 inhibitors are immuno-oncology drugs used for the treatment of various types of metastatic cancer. CPPIB Credit Europe S.à r.l., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canada ...

Upcoming European Chemical Restrictions in Apparel Raise Concerns

The European Commission intends to ban the use in apparel of hundreds of Cat. 1A and 1B carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic for reproduction substances (“CMRs”) within the next year. To do so, the Commission expects to use the so-called “fast-track” procedure to ban CMRs under Regulation 1907/2006 (“REACH Regulation”), instead of the standard procedure for...… ...

ISPs ordered to block websites infringing trademarks and must pay for implementation

On 6 July 2016, the Court of Appeal of England and Wales upheld the validity of injunctions requiring the five leading Internet service providers (“ISPs”) in the UK to block consumer access to websites marketing counterfeit goods and infringing trademarks. Significantly, the ISPs, as intermediaries for the infringement, were burdened with the costs of ...

Legal Workshops at Central Saint Martins

Covington announced its support of the MA Fashion course at Central Saint Martins (CSM) towards the end of last year. Since then, we have provided a number of practical workshops to the students enrolled in the course. Our aim is to equip aspiring designers with important legal and commercial knowledge as they near graduation. The...… Continue Reading

Covington Represents MRCT in Royalty Monetization Deal

NEW YORK—Covington advised Medical Research Council Technology, a UK-based independent life science medical research charity, in its sale of a portion of the royalty stream associated with its cancer drug Keytruda® for $150 million (£115.6 million). Keytruda® (pembrolizumab), is a new generation treatment which stimulates the body’s immune system to fight ...

Delaware Extends “Cleansing Effect” of Stockholder Merger Vote to Tender Offer Acquisitions

In its recent In re Volcano Corporation Stockholder Litigation decision, the Delaware Court of Chancery extended the “cleansing effect” of the majority vote of fully informed, uncoerced, and disinterested stockholders in favor of a merger not subject to the entire fairness standard—as reinforced by the Delaware Supreme Court last fall in Corwin v. KKR Financial ...

Covington's Brexit Task Force Provides Insights on Latest Developments

Our Brexit Task Force is staffed by senior lawyers and advisors across London, Brussels, and Washington to monitor events and to keep clients apprised of legal, regulatory, and policy developments. We are advising clients across a wide range of businesses and industries on the impact and implications of Brexit, including on strategic policy and regulatory ...

Health Hires: Greenberg, Covington Add IP, Deals Pros

Van Ellis and John Hurvitz are quoted in a Law360 article regarding Ellis’ arrival as a partner in the firm’s life sciences transactions practice. According to Ellis, who says he is drawn to how Covington deals with some of the largest and most complex transactions in the industry, “Every deal is different than the other deals. There are innovative aspects of ...

A New Chapter for Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance (the “Division”) recently issued updated interpretive guidance on the use of non-GAAP financial measures. This guidance reflects an increasingly assertive position taken by the SEC in recent months regarding public companies’ use of numerical measures of performance, financial position or cash flows that are not ...

UK Votes to Leave the EU

The UK has voted to leave the European Union in an advisory referendum. 52% leave - 48% remain. Were the UK to leave the EU, this would have significant implications for the UK and for international businesses operating in the UK. The longer term impact of the decision on the regulatory framework for the UK will depend, in part, on the relationship that the UK ...

Covington Represents Tencent in $8.6 Billion Acquisition

SILICON VALLEY—Covington advised Tencent Holdings Limited, a leading provider of internet service in China, in connection with its acquisition of a majority stake in Supercell from SoftBank. A consortium established by Tencent will acquire up to 84% of Supercell for $8.6 billion in a transaction valuing Supercell at approximately $10.2 billion. Supercell is a ...

Leading Life Sciences Lawyer Joins Covington

WASHINGTON—Van Ellis has joined Covington as a partner in its life sciences transactions practice, resident in Washington. Mr. Ellis has extensive experience in a wide variety of technology-based transactions and corporate matters in the life sciences field, from billion-dollar global collaborations to daily commercial and operational matters. He also counsels ...

Covington Lawyers Win Four “Europe Women in Business Law” Awards

LONDON—Euromoney Legal Media Group has selected four Covington lawyers for its annual “Europe Women in Business Law Awards.” The awards honor women in the legal sector across Europe. The Covington lawyers recognized are: Louise Nash, Best in Mergers & Acquisitions. Ms. Nash focuses on M&A and other transactional matters for clients in the consumer brands, ...

Covington Receives Top Rankings from Chambers USA

WASHINGTON—Covington has again received top rankings from Chambers USA, with 60 practice rankings and 120 individual rankings for lawyers in the publication’s 2016 edition. The legal guide identifies leading lawyers and law firm practices based on interviews conducted by Chambers’ researchers with thousands of lawyers and their clients. The firm was ranked in ...

Covington Advises Underwriters in Life Sciences Debt Offering

NEW YORK—Covington advised the underwriters in connection with Repligen’s $115 million debt offering. The senior convertible notes due in 2021 were placed at 2.125 percent. Repligen is a bioprocessing company focused on the manufacture of Protein A ligands used by life science companies to purify biologic drugs such as monoclonal antibodies, recombinant ...

Covington Advised Egyptian Investment Bank in Acquisition of Brokerage Firm

NEW YORK—Covington advised Beltone Financial Holding, a leading Egyptian investment bank, in its acquisition of 51 percent of Auerbach Grayson & Company, a New York brokerage firm specializing in global trade execution and research on developed, frontier, and emerging markets for U.S. institutional investors. This acquisition marks Beltone Financial’s entry into ...

Covington Advises MagtiCom on Acquisition of ISP Cable Assets

NEW YORK—Covington is advising MagtiCom Ltd., the leading mobile operator in the Republic of Georgia, on its definitive agreement to acquire retail and corporate ISP cable assets from Caucasus Online LLC. The deal is expected to close on or around August 1, 2016. Following the successful conclusion of the transaction, MagtiCom will be the first and only operator ...

Covington Represents Graham Media in Purchase of Television Stations

WASHINGTON—Covington advised Graham Media Group in its definitive agreement to purchase WCWJ, the CW affiliate serving Jacksonville, FL and WSLS-TV, the NBC affiliate serving Roanoke and Lynchburg, VA, from Nexstar Broadcasting Group and Media General. The Covington team included corporate partners Paul Rogers and Michael Cutler, with associate Adina Lord. ...

Covington Named One of America’s Best by Corporate Board Member

NEW YORK—Corporate Board Member magazine has once again named Covington to its list of the top 25 corporate law firms. The “America’s Best Corporate Law Firms” survey asks directors and general counsels at publicly traded companies to identify the firms they would most likely retain for a variety of legal matters. “Covington is proud that we are regarded by our ...

Are Troubled Banks and Fintech a Perfect Fit?

Christopher DeCresce is quoted in this American Banker article exploring whether more fintech companies will seek bank charters. According to DeCresce, one sector in fintech that may soon be forced to look at the option is marketplace lenders. "They have to register in every state they want to do business in, and that can be a cumbersome process," he says. "A ...

3 Firms To Steer 4 IPOs That Could Raise $471M

Eric Blanchard is quoted in a Law360 article examining $471 million in initial public offerings from the week of May 9. According to Blanchard, "We're in a position of watchful waiting at the moment." He continues, “If we see these four or five deals go well, hopefully we will see another round of deals and get some momentum going."

New York Adopts Delaware Standards of Review for Going-Private Mergers by Controlling Shareholders

New York’s highest court, in an opinion1 issued yesterday, adopted as New York law the test established by the Delaware Supreme Court in Kahn v. M&F Worldwide Corp. (“MFW”)2 for applying the business judgment rule to the review of going-private transactions by controlling shareholders. This important decision clarifies the standards applicable to directors of ...

Covington Advises Financial Advisor On $2.4 Billion Merger

NEW YORK — Covington advised Jefferies LLC as financial advisor to Cash America International, Inc. in connection with its merger with First Cash Financial Services, Inc. The pro-forma market value of equity of the transaction is valued at approximately $2.4 billion. Following the close of the transaction, First Cash shareholders will own approximately 58% of ...

Agencies Re-propose Incentive-Based Compensation Rules for Financial Institutions

In late April 2016, federal financial regulators began the process of re-proposing rules (the “Proposal”) to implement restrictions on incentive-based compensation required by Section 956 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). Section 956 directs a number of federal regulators (the “Agencies”) to jointly issue ...

White Paper: Judicial Opinions on the Trust Indenture Act of 1939

The recent decisions of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in the Marblegate and Caesars Entertainment cases contain language that suggests a significant departure from the widely understood meaning of TIA Section 316(b) that has prevailed among practitioners for decades. These cases have introduced interpretive issues that ...

Three Covington Partners Among Top 100 Female Lawyers in California

LOS ANGELES — Covington partners Emily Henn, Robyn Polashuk and Sonya Winner have been named to the Daily Journal’s annual list of “Top Women Lawyers” in California. The list recognizes 100 lawyers who “try complex commercial disputes and put together industry-transforming deals.” Ms. Henn, based in the firm’s Silicon Valley office, co-chairs the firm’s Class ...

Industry Mergers: DoD in Uphill Fight Against Market Forces

Scott Freling is quoted in this National Defense article exploring the DOJ and FTC joint statement on preserving competition in the defense industry. According to Freling, the interagency truce should “provide some comfort” to defense contractors that mergers and acquisitions can go forward, albeit “under the right circumstances.” Brown adds, the statement ...

Covington Advises Turner Sports in Extension of NCAA March Madness Rights

NEW YORK — Covington advised Turner Sports on the extension of its rights to distribute the NCAA men’s basketball tournament via a partnership with CBS. With the extension in place, Turner and CBS will hold the media rights for “March Madness” through 2032. The new agreement allows the networks to distribute the tournament games across a wide range of their ...

Covington Advises Award-Winning Producer on Creation of Media Company

NEW YORK — Covington advised Emmy and Golden Globe-winning producer Ben Silverman on the creation of Propagate Content, a media production and distribution company. A+E has agreed to fund the company with $30 million in equity and has committed to buy $15 million in scripted or unscripted projects in a five-year deal. Propagate has already signed Will.i.am and ...

JOBS Act's Lift Of Ad Ban Gains Traction With Small Cos.

Donald Murray is quoted in this Law360 article exploring the 506(c) provision and Regulation A-Plus of the JOBS Act. Murray thinks Regulation A-Plus offerings could struggle to gain traction because they fall between the private and public realms. “You don't have the glamour of being a public company, but you don't have anonymity of being private.”

Covington Represents Underwriters in Senseonics' IPO

NEW YORK - Covington advised the underwriters in the $45 million initial public offering of common stock of Senseonics Holdings, Inc. The offering closed on March 23, 2016. Shares of Senseonics trade on the NYSE MKT under the ticker “SENS.” Senseonics develops continuous glucose monitoring systems for patients with diabetes. Its Eversense product consists of ...

A Less Verbose SEC Means IPOs Are Cleared More Quickly

Donald Murray is quoted in this Law360 article regarding the SEC’s new streamlined review process. Murray says, “If you pick up a prospectus for an early-stage life sciences company, the piece that would get the bulk of staff comments in other industries, the financials, they’re very basic, not much to comment on.”

Covington Represents MidFirst Bank in Acquisition of 1st Century Bancshares

NEW YORK — Covington represented MidFirst Bank in its acquisition of 1st Century Bancshares, Inc. 1st Century is a publicly traded bank-holding company of 1st Century Bank of Los Angeles. Simultaneously with the closing of the acquisition, 1st Century Bank will be merged into MidFirst Bank. Following these transactions, the business of 1st Century Bank will ...

Carlo Kostka Joins Covington's Global Financial Institutions Practice

LONDON — Carlo Kostka has joined Covington’s global financial institutions practice resident in the firm’s London office. Most recently Mr. Kostka served as co-head of UniCredit's legal department, where he was responsible for international legal operations, including all legal matters related to the corporate and investment banking division, significant ...

Covington Advises AstraZeneca on European Rights to Moventig

LONDON — Covington advised AstraZeneca on an agreement with ProStrakan Group, a subsidiary of Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co. Ltd., for the rights to Moventig (naloxegol) in the European Union (EU), Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Moventig is the first once-daily, oral peripherally-acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist (PAMORA) approved in Europe for the ...

Covington Assisted NFL in Negotiation of Thursday Night Football Deal

WASHINGTON, DC — Covington assisted the National Football League in negotiating its partnership with CBS and NBC to produce and televise "Thursday Night Football" for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. In addition to continuing its Thursday Night Football partnership with CBS, the NFL is adding NBC as a partner, with both networks set to air five Thursday Night Football ...

Latinvex Names Gabriel Mesa Among “Top 100 Lawyers”

NEW YORK — Latinvex has named Covington partner Gabriel Mesa among its “Latin America’s Top 100 Lawyers” for the third year in a row. Resident in the firm’s New York office, Mr. Mesa counsels corporations in joint ventures and private mergers and acquisitions in Latin America and other emerging markets, as well as in the United States. His work spans venture ...

Covington Advises AstraZeneca on mRNA Collaboration

LONDON — Covington advised AstraZeneca, along with its global biologics research and development arm, MedImmune, on a new collaboration with Moderna Therapeutics to discover, co-develop and co-commercialize messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutic candidates for the treatment of a range of cancers. The collaboration is in addition to the agreement announced by the ...

Catherine Dargan Named a “Most Influential Woman” in M&A

WASHINGTON, DC, December 17, 2015 - Mergers & Acquisitions magazine has named Catherine Dargan as one of “The Most Influential Women in Mid-Market M&A.” The inaugural special report celebrates 25 of “the best and the brightest female dealmakers.” Among a group of corporate executives and investment bankers, Ms. Dargan is the only outside counsel recognized. Ms. ...

Covington Advises AstraZeneca on Acquisition of Takeda’s Respiratory Business

LONDON, 17 December, 2015 — Covington advised AstraZeneca on its acquisition of Takeda’s respiratory business. Under the terms of the agreement, AstraZeneca will make a payment of $575 million, and approximately 200 staff will transfer to AstraZeneca upon completion. The deal will include the expansion of rights to roflumilast (marketed as Daliresp in the ...

Covington Advises Mexico’s Grupo Mabe on its Sale to Ontex Group

NEW YORK, December 9, 2015 - Covington advised Grupo P.I. Mabe, the leading producer of hygienic products in Mexico, on its sale to Ontex Group NV, a publicly listed company based in Belgium. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016. The transaction will require regulatory approvals in Mexico, the US and certain other countries, and has ...

Covington Advises Ascension on $200 Million Investment in Accretive Health

NEW YORK, December 8, 2015 - Covington represented Ascension, the nation’s leading Catholic and non-profit health system, in a $200 million investment transaction with TowerBrook Capital Partners in Accretive Health, a leading provider of revenue cycle management services to healthcare providers. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of ...

Tim Stratford Awarded With 2015 AmCham China Pioneer Award

BEIJING, December 8, 2015 - Tim Stratford, managing partner of Covington’s Beijing office, received the China Pioneer Award from the American Chamber of Commerce in the People’s Republic of China. The AmCham China Pioneer Award honors corporate leaders who made early and significant contributions to economic expansion and the business environment across ...

Covington Advises Allergy Therapeutics on £11.5 Million Placement and License Agreement

LONDON, November 23, 2015 — Covington represented Allergy Therapeutics, the AIM-listed specialty pharmaceutical company specializing in allergy vaccines, in the placement of ordinary shares raising approximately £11.5 million. The placement was conducted through an accelerated bookbuilding process with Panmure Gordon & Co acting as financial adviser, nominated ...

Covington Advises Graham Holdings on Group Dekko Acquisition

WASHINGTON, DC, November 16, 2015 - Covington advised Graham Holdings Company, a diversified education and media company, in its acquisition of Group Dekko, a manufacturer of electrical solutions for workspace, architectural lighting, and electrical components. The financial terms of the deal were not announced. According to Timothy O’Shaughnessy, president and ...

The IRS's intensifying fight over income taxes

Former Director of Transfer Pricing Operations in the Large Business & International Division of the IRS Samuel Maruca is quoted by the Philadelphia Inquirer in an article about taxes being paid by large companies, and the IRS’ attempt to settle “transfer-pricing” cases to ensure they are paying the correct amount. According to Maruca, "The IRS has become a lot ...

Covington Advises Prosper Marketplace on BillGuard Acquisition

WASHINGTON, DC, October 8, 2015 — Covington advised Prosper Marketplace, a leading online marketplace that connects borrowers and investors, in its acquisition of BillGuard, a personal finance analytics company. The financial terms of the deal were not announced. According to the company’s press release, the acquisition will enable Prosper Marketplace to offer ...

Covington Represents Underwriters in Nabriva Therapeutics IPO

NEW YORK - Covington advised the underwriters in the $106.1 million initial public offering by Austrian-based Nabriva Therapeutics AG of 10,350,000 million American Depositary Shares, representing 1,035,000 shares of Nabriva’s common stock. This was the first U.S. initial public offering by an Austrian company. The ADSs are now listed on the NASDAQ Global Market ...

Covington Advises UCB on Sale of Kremers Urban Pharmaceuticals to Lannett

NEW YORK, September 3, 2015 — UCB and Lannett Company, Inc. announced they have entered into a definitive agreement providing for the acquisition of UCB’s U.S. specialty generics subsidiary, Kremers Urban Pharmaceuticals Inc., by Lannett. UCB will receive upfront cash proceeds of US $1.23 billion upon closing, which is subject to regulatory approval and other ...

Covington Advises Tencent on Investment in Kik

SAN FRANCISCO, August 20, 2015 — Covington advised Tencent Holdings Ltd. on its US$50 million investment in Ontario-based Kik Interactive, Inc., a messenger application with more than 200 million registered users. Tencent is a Chinese company that provides value-added Internet, mobile and telecom services and online advertising. Its messaging app WeChat has ...

Covington Advises Morgan Stanley on $2.2 Billion Solar Development Company Sale

NEW YORK, July 21, 2015 — Covington advised Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC as financial advisor to Vivint Solar, Inc. in connection with its acquisition by SunEdison, Inc. The transaction consideration, valued at $2.2 billion, will be paid to Vivint stockholders in a combination of cash, SunEdision common stock and a convertible promissory note. Vivint Solar sells, ...

Covington Advises Allergy Therapeutics on Alerpharma Acquisition and £20 Million Placing

LONDON, June 24, 2015 — Covington advised Allergy Therapeutics plc, the AIM-listed specialty pharmaceutical company, on its recently announced acquisition of Alerpharma, S.A. a Spanish-based allergy immunotherapy company which previously spun out from Spanish biopharmaceutical company, Zeltia S.A. Alerpharma’s principal operating subsidiary, Inmunal, markets ...

Covington Advises Allergan on $2.1 Billion KYTHERA Acquisition

WASHINGTON, DC, June 18, 2015 — Covington advised Allergan plc in its acquisition of KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. for consideration having a fixed value of $75 per KYTHERA share, or approximately $2.1 billion, which will be paid 80 percent in cash and 20 percent in Allergan shares issued to KYTHERA shareholders. KYTHERA is a biopharmaceutical company ...

Dianne Coffino and Andrea Reister Receive “Americas Women in Business Law” Award

WASHINGTON, DC, June 9, 2015 — Euromoney Legal Media Group selected Covington partners Dianne Coffino and Andrea Reister for its annual Americas Women in Business Law Awards. The awards honor women who are leading the field in the legal sector across the Americas. Ms. Coffino, a partner in the firm’s New York office, was recognized in the “Best in Insolvency ...

Covington Advises Joy Global on Acquisition of Montabert

NEW YORK, June 4, 2015 — Covington acted as U.S. M&A and antitrust counsel to Joy Global, Inc., a leader in high-productivity mining solutions, on its French-law governed acquisition of Montabert S.A.S. from Doosan Holding France S.A.S., an affiliate of South Korean conglomerate Doosan Global, for EUR 110 million. Montabert specializes in the production and ...

Covington Advises Altice on $9.1 Billion Suddenlink Acquisition

NEW YORK, May 22, 2015 — Covington advised European telecommunications company Altice S.A. (Euronext ATC) in a $9.1 billion deal to acquire a controlling stake in Suddenlink, the seventh largest cable operator in the U.S. Under the terms of the agreement, Altice will enter the U.S. cable television and broadband market by acquiring 70 percent of the share ...

Covington Advises Pandora in Acquisition of Next Big Sound

NEW YORK, May 19, 2015 — Covington is advising Pandora Media, Inc., an Internet radio service, in its acquisition of Next Big Sound, Inc., a provider of online music analytics. The acquisition is expected to provide Pandora with a powerful analytics tool used by tens of thousands of music makers, labels and marketers looking for data and insights about artists ...

Covington Named One of America's Best Corporate Law Firms

WASHINGTON, DC, May 18, 2015 — Covington has again been named to Corporate Board Member magazine’s annual list of top 25 corporate law firms. The survey, conducted by the magazine and FTI Consulting, asked directors and general counsels at publicly traded companies to identify the firms they would most likely retain for a variety of legal matters. “Covington ...

Covington Advises Public Pension Capital on Partnership with Kramer Van Kirk Credit Strategies

WASHINGTON, DC, May 15, 2015 — Covington represented Public Pension Capital, LLC in the formation of a strategic partnership with and investment in Kramer Van Kirk Credit Strategies LP, a Chicago-based manager of collateralized loan obligations with more than $4 billion in assets under management. Public Pension Capital also acquired a stake in KVK Technology ...

Covington Advises Horizon Discovery Group plc on £40.1 million Financing

LONDON, May 13, 2015 — Covington has advised AIM-listed Horizon Discovery Group plc on a £40.1 million accelerated bookbuild placing announced on May 1, 2015. The financing is being undertaken to raise £25 million in new money for the company through a primary offering and £15.1 million for certain shareholders through a sale of their existing shares. The ...

Catherine Dargan Named One of NLJ’s “Outstanding Women Lawyers”

WASHINGTON, DC, May 8, 2015 — Catherine Dargan, co-chair of Covington’s mergers and acquisitions practice, was named one of The National Law Journal’s “Outstanding Women Lawyers.” The award recognizes 75 of the most accomplished women in the legal profession today, including judges, corporate counsel, law firm partners, and public interest lawyers. Among the ...

Covington Represents Underwriters in Cidara IPO

NEW YORK — Covington advised the underwriters in the $76.8 million initial public offering of common stock of Cidara Therapeutics, Inc. Shares of Cidara trade on the NASDAQ Global Market under the ticker “CDTX.” Cidara is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of anti-infectives for treatment of diseases ...

Covington Advises Prosper Marketplace in Series D Financing

SAN FRANCISCO, April 13, 2015 — Covington advised Prosper Marketplace, Inc. in its $165 million Series D financing. This round was led by Credit Suisse NEXT Investors, part of Credit Suisse Asset Management, and included J.P. Morgan Asset Management, SunTrust Banks, a subsidiary of USAA, BBVA Ventures (BBVA’s representative office in San Francisco), Neuberger ...

Chris DeCresce Joins Covington’s Corporate Practice

NEW YORK, April 6, 2015 — Christopher DeCresce has joined Covington’s corporate practice in the firm’s New York office. Mr. DeCresce will focus on securities and capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, governance, and securities law reporting and compliance, primarily focused on financial services companies. “Chris has a proven track record ...

Law360 Names Covington’s Media & Entertainment Practice One of Year’s Best

WASHINGTON, DC, January 27, 2015 — Covington was named one of the top 2014 “Media and Entertainment Practice Groups of the Year” by Law360.Law360 highlighted the practice for its involvement in “the most-talked-about sports media rights deals last year,” including the NFL's Sunday Ticket agreement with DirecTV, Steve Ballmer’s bid for the Los Angeles Clippers, ...

Covington Advises Horizon Discovery Group plc on its Acquisition of Haplogen Genomics GmbH

LONDON, January 26, 2015 — Covington has advised Horizon Discovery Group plc on the acquisition of Haplogen Genomics GmbH for an initial consideration of £6 million in cash and the issue of new ordinary shares, with potential earn-out payments based on future performance to be satisfied by the issue of further new ordinary shares having an aggregate value of up ...

Covington Advises Esteve on Global Collaboration

LONDON, January 15, 2015 — Covington & Burling advised Laboratorios Esteve, S.A. (Esteve) in a global multi-programme discovery and development collaboration with Mundipharma Laboratories GmbH and its independent associated company, Purdue Pharmaceuticals LP, to bring to market important next generation products for the management of pain. Under the agreements, ...

Covington Advises OCP on its Acquisition of Shares in Heringer

LONDON, January 15, 2015 — Covington & Burling advised OCP S.A. on the acquisition of approximately 10% of the share capital of Brazilian listed fertilizer company, Fertilizantes Heringer S.A., for R$145.415.034,00 (approximately US$55 million) and on a long-term supply agreement for phosphatebased products. OCP Group is the largest global producer of phosphate ...

Your International Compliance Playbook

Covington's Lanny Breuer and Peter Lichtenbaum have authored this article on corporate compliance: The phone rings, and the CEO tells you she’s planning an acquisition of a target that has operations in Europe and Asia. She’s focused on the potential to develop technology 24-7 and get closer to the global customers. Of course, your job is to get regulatory ...

Ebola: harnessing the potential of the private sector

Covington's Ashwin Kaja authored this piece on the implications of the Ebola crisis on international businesses: Although headway has been made in curbing the spread of the Ebola virus in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, more than 16,000 people to date have contracted the virus and nearly 7,000 have died in what the World Health Organization (WHO) calls the ...

FT NORTH AMERICA INNOVATIVE LAWYERS 2014

Covington is recognized as a “standout” firm, the publication’s highest honor, in the corporate and commercial category. The FT highlighted the firm’s representation of World Wrestling Entertainment in its creation of the WWE Network, the first 24/7 streaming television network to be available exclusively over the Internet. The firm was also listed in the ...

Covington’s Gibson Named Law360 MVP

WASHINGTON, DC, November 24, 2014 — Law360 named Covington & Burling partner Doug Gibson a “most valuable player” in media and entertainment law. Law360’s “MVP of the Year” awards recognize lawyers who have had successes in record-breaking deals, high-stakes litigation, and complex global matters in the past year. In a profile on Mr. Gibson, Law360 cited his ...

Media & Entertainment MVP: Covington's Doug Gibson

Covington's Doug Gibon was named a Law360 MVP: "Covington & Burling LLP partner Doug Gibson’s name appears on many high-profile sports industry deals, including this summer’s negotiation of former Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer’s $2 billion purchase of the Los Angeles Clippers and the National Football League’s extension on DirecTV’s rights for NFL Sunday ...

Covington Advises Oplink in Its Sale to Koch Industries

REDWOOD SHORES, CA, November 20, 2014 — Covington & Burling advised Oplink Communications, Inc. in its sale to Koch Optics, Inc., a wholly owned Koch Industries subsidiary. The all-cash transaction is valued at approximately $445 million. Under the terms of the deal, announced Wednesday, Koch Optics will commence a tender offer and subsequent merger for all of ...

Covington Advises Indivior on Demerger from Reckitt Benckiser

LONDON, 17 November, 2014 — Covington is advising Indivior, formerly RB Pharmaceuticals, in the demerger transaction announced today from Reckitt Benckiser, a global consumer products company. The demerger is subject to the approval of RB shareholders. Indivior PLC will be a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of addiction and closely ...

Covington Advises UCB in $1.525 Billion Sale of Kremers

NEW YORK, NY, November 7, 2014 — Covington & Burling represented UCB in connection with its agreement to sell Kremers Urban Pharmaceuticals Inc., a U.S.-based subsidiary, to Advent International and Avista Capital Partners. UCB will receive gross cash proceeds of $1.525 billion upon closing. This transaction has been unanimously approved by the board of ...

Covington & Burling and Slaughter and May advise on Qualcomm’s £1.6bn acquisition of CSR

Partners Louise Nash and Simon Amies are mentioned in this article regarding their representation of Qualcomm: "Covington & Burling advised US mobile phone chipmaker Qualcomm and Slaughter and May advised tech firm CSR on the US company’s £1.6bn takeover of the British company, which will increase Qualcomm’s presence in the UK."

Covington Advises Atlas Pipeline Partners on $5.8 Billion Merger

NEW YORK, October 13, 2014 — Covington & Burling advised the Special Conflicts Committee of the Board of Directors of Atlas Pipeline Partners in its $5.8 billion merger with Targa Resources Partners. Under the agreement, Targa will pay $4 billion in Targa units and cash and assume $1.8 billion in debt for Atlas. Atlas unitholders will receive 0.5846 units of ...

Covington Advises Consort Medical on Aesica Holdco Acquisition and related £260 million financing

LONDON, 10 October, 2014 — Covington & Burling is advising Consort Medical plc on the acquisition of Aesica Holdco Limited and its operating subsidiaries from private equity fund Silverfleet Capital and its management shareholders for a total consideration of approximately £230 million. Covington is also advising Consort Medical plc on the £98.9 million Rights ...

Covington, In-House Teams Get an Assist on NBA's TV Mega-Deal

Covington is featured in this article regarding the firm advising the National Basketball Association on a media rights deals with Walt Disney Co. and Time Warner Inc.’s Turner Broadcasting System. "The agreement comes on the heels of the NFL's renewal of its Sunday Ticket game package with DirecTV last week. Covington counseled its longtime client the NFL on ...

Covington promotes Chilean in New York

Covington's Nicole Duclos is featured in this article on her recent promotion to partner: "Duclos’s promotion is effective today. She joined Covington in September 2013, bringing with her two former Allen & Overy associates, Erin Thomas and Thomas Odell." "Unsurprisingly given her Chilean nationality, much of her arbitration practice focuses on South America. ...

Covington Advises NFL on DirecTV Deal

WASHINGTON, DC, October 3, 2014 — Covington & Burling represented the National Football League in connection with its recently announced deal to extend DirecTV's exclusive rights to carry NFL Sunday Ticket in a multi-year agreement. The agreement also extends DirecTV’s rights to stream NFL Sunday Ticket, a package that enables subscribers to view out-of-market ...

Covington Advises Samsung in PrinterOn Acquisition

REDWOOD SHORES, CA, September 19, 2014 — Covington & Burling advised Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. in its acquisition of Canadian cloud-printing firm PrinterOn. The acquisition is expected to enhance Samsung’s mobile cloud services to the business-to-business market. Under the terms of the agreement, Samsung purchased all outstanding stock from the current ...

5 Dodd-Frank Reforms That Keep Energy Attys Up At Night

Covington's Stephen Humenik is quoted in this article regarding which aspects of Dodd-Frank rules are the source of most concern for energy firms: "Most of the Dodd-Frank rules affecting energy firms — primarily issued by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission — are already on the books either in proposed or final form." “There are few important ones ...

S.E.C. Commissioner Rebukes His Colleagues

Covington's David Martin is quoted in this article regarding Luis Aguilar, a commissioner at the S.E.C., stating that he was concerned that the agency’s stance on cases involving executives who put misleading and fraudulent numbers into their financial filings might be weakening. "Mr. Aguilar’s missive goes to the heart of one of the S.E.C.’s main jobs – ...

Covington Advises Ergomed plc on AIM Flotation, Fundraising and Acquisition

LONDON, 7 August, 2014 — Covington advised Ergomed plc, an international clinical research business, on its flotation on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange, an associated fundraising and its simultaneous acquisition of PrimeVigilance Limited, a leading provider of pharmacovigilance and medical information services. Ergomed ‘s market capitalisation on ...

Covington Advises Illumina on Partnership with Genomics England

LONDON, 5 August, 2014 — Covington & Burling advised Illumina on its partnership with Genomics England to provide infrastructure and expertise for a four-year project that aims to make the UK the world leader in genetic research into cancer and rare diseases, through funding research to decode 100,000 human genomes - a patient's personal DNA code. The deal is ...

Covington Advises AstraZeneca on Strategic Transaction with Almirall in Respiratory Disease

LONDON, 30 July, 2014 — Covington & Burling advised AstraZeneca on its agreement to transfer to the company the rights to Almirall’s respiratory franchise for an initial consideration of $875 million on completion, and up to $1.22 billion in development, launch, and sales-related milestones. AstraZeneca has also agreed to make various sales-related payments. ...

Covington Advises Oxford BioMedica on £25.7 Million Fundraising

LONDON, 2 June, 2014 — Oxford BioMedica plc, a Main Market listed gene based biopharmaceutical company, announced that it intends to raise gross proceeds of up to £25.7 million through a fundraising by means of a placing and subscriptions and an open offer. Covington & Burling advised the company on the transaction. The proceeds of the fundraising will be used ...

Covington Advises Rightster Group plc on Two Acquisitions and Placing of New Shares

LONDON, 10 July, 2014 — Rightster Group plc, an AIM-listed cloud-based global video distribution and monetisation network, announced the acquisition of Viral Management Limited, the proposed acquisition of Base79 Limited and the placing of new shares by Cenkos to raise £42 million for the company. Covington & Burling advised Rightster on these transactions, ...

Alibaba Nears SEC Blessing as Biggest IPO Causes Few Ripples in Washington

Covington partner David Martin is quoted regarding Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.’s proposal for what could be the largest initial stock offering in U.S. history. "The SEC’s anticipated approval of the offering documents will follow a staff review and won’t be voted on by the full five-member commission. The process isn’t designed to judge the offering, only to ...

Deals: Covington, Skadden on $1.3 Billion Aristocrat Leisure Deal

Catherine Dargan, Mike Riella, Deb Garza, John Gourary, Andrea Reister, Rob Heller, Mike Francese and Kerry Burke are mentioned regarding their representation of Aristocrat Leisure Ltd. "Covington & Burling LLP advised Aristocrat Leisure Ltd. (ALL), which agreed to buy Video Gaming Technologies Inc. for about $1.3 billion to triple its North American business ...

Covington Advises MidFirst Bank in Acquisition of Steele Street Bank and Trust

NEW YORK, June 26, 2014 — Covington & Burling advised MidFirst Bank in connection with its agreement to acquire Steele Street Bank. The acquisition, expected to close in the first quarter of 2015, is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval and other customary conditions. MidFirst, one of the five largest privately owned banks in the United States, is a ...

Covington Advises MacNeil/Lehrer in Transfer of PBS NewsHour to WETA

WASHINGTON, DC, June 19, 2014 — Covington & Burling advised MacNeil/Lehrer Productions in connection with the transfer of ownership and control of the PBS NewsHour to WETA, the flagship public media station for Washington, D.C. Under the terms of the transfer, announced Wednesday, the MacNeil/Lehrer Productions partners will contribute their ownership of PBS ...

Covington’s Catherine Dargan Named “Best in Mergers & Acquisitions”

WASHINGTON, DC, June 9, 2014 — Catherine Dargan, co-chair of Covington & Burling’s mergers and acquisitions practice, was named as “Best in Mergers & Acquisitions” by Euromoney Legal Media Group at its Americas Women in Business Law Awards ceremony in New York on June 5. The awards honor firms that set “the standard in terms of female-friendly work practices” ...

Covington Advises Horizon Discovery Group plc on a Key Acquisition

LONDON, 5 June, 2014 —Horizon Discovery Group plc, an AIM listed international life science company supplying research tools and services to organizations engaged in genomics research and the development of personalized medicines, announced its acquisition of the CombinatoRx service business and related assets from Nasdaq listed Zalicus Inc., a biopharmaceutical ...

Covington Advises Steve Ballmer on Clippers Purchase

WASHINGTON, DC, May 30, 2014 — Covington & Burling advised Steve Ballmer on his agreement to purchase the Los Angeles Clippers from The Sterling Family Trust for $2 billion. "I will be honored to have my name submitted to the NBA board of governors for approval as the next owner of the Los Angeles Clippers. I love basketball," Ballmer said in a statement. "And ...

Covington Advises Graham Holdings in Joyce/Dayton Acquisition

WASHINGTON, DC, May 30, 2014 — Covington & Burling advised Graham Holdings Company in its acquisition of Joyce/Dayton Corp., an Ohio-based manufacturer of screw jacks and other linear motion systems. The acquisition was announced earlier today. Graham Holdings is an education and media company whose principal operations include educational services, television ...

The Am Law Daily - Four Firms Score With Record-Setting Clippers Sale

Covington advised Steve Ballmer on his agreement to purchase the Los Angeles Clippers from The Sterling Family Trust for $2 billion. The firm is mentioned in the above articles regarding the deal. Law360 writes, "Steve Ballmer is represented in the latest deal by a Covington & Burling LLP team led by Doug Gibson, Scott Roades and Peter Zern, including Rob ...

Covington Advises Prosper Marketplace in Series C Financing

SAN FRANCISCO, May 7, 2014 — Covington & Burling advised Prosper Marketplace, Inc. in its $70 million Series C financing. The round was led by new investor Francisco Partners and also included Institutional Venture Partners and Phenomen Ventures. Covington advised on the structuring and execution of the transaction. Prosper Marketplace, headquartered in San ...

Covington’s Duclos Named to ‘Latin America’s Top 50 Female Lawyers’

NEW YORK, May 7, 2014 — Nicole Duclos has been named to Latinvex’s list of “Latin America’s Top 50 Female Lawyers.” The online publication selected the top 50 female lawyers specializing in Latin America from among nearly 100 international law firms. Ms. Duclos focuses on international commercial and investment arbitration in Latin America. Her experience spans ...

Covington Advises Lombard Medical in U.S. IPO and Re-domicile

LONDON, 1 May, 2014 — Covington & Burling advised Lombard Medical, Inc. on its $55 million U.S. initial public offering and the listing of the company’s ordinary shares on the NASDAQ Global Market. Covington also advised the company on its change of domicile from the U.K. to the Cayman Islands and the delisting of its shares from the AIM market of the London ...

Covington Advises Forest Laboratories in $1.1 Billion Acquisition and $415 Million Royalty Monetization

NEW YORK, April 28, 2014 — Covington & Burling represented Forest Laboratories in a definitive agreement to acquire Furiex Pharmaceuticals, a drug development collaboration company, for up to $1.46 billion. The acquisition of Furiex expands Forest’s offerings in gastroenterology. Forest agreed to pay $95 per share in cash, or approximately $1.1 billion in the ...

Covington Advises Horizon Discovery on AIM IPO

LONDON, 31 March, 2014 — Horizon Discovery Group plc announced the admission of its shares to the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. Covington & Burling advised Horizon on the transaction. The IPO raised approximately £40 million before expenses for Horizon and a further £28.6 million for selling shareholders, which puts a market capitalisation on the ...

Covington Advises Charles Stanley Securities and WG Partners on the Admission to AIM of Venture Life Group plc

LONDON, 28 March, 2014 — Covington & Burling advised Charles Stanley Securities acting as nominated adviser and WG Partners acting as financial adviser and broker to Venture Life Group plc, the international consumer healthcare company, on its admission to AIM. On admission to AIM, Venture Life will complete the acquisition of Biokosmes Srl, an Italian company ...

Covington Advises Vectura Group Plc on Acquisition of Activaero and Fundraising

LONDON, 25 March, 2014 — Covington & Burling advised Vectura Group Plc, a product development company that focuses on the development of pharmaceutical therapies for the treatment of airways-related diseases, on its acquisition of German pharmaceutical company Activaero GmbH for a total consideration of €130 million (£108 million) and related fundraising to ...

Covington Advises TPG’s American Tire Distributors in $365 Million Acquisition

NEW YORK, February 24, 2014 — Covington & Burling advised American Tire Distributors in the acquisition of Terry’s Tire Town from Talisman Partners for up to $365 million. American Tire, a portfolio company of TPG, is a wholesale distributor of replacement tires throughout the United States and Canada. The acquisition is expected to close at the end of March, ...

Covington Advises BBVA in Acquisition of Simple

NEW YORK, February 20, 2014 — Covington & Burling represented Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, an international financial group based in Spain, in its acquisition of financial technology company Simple. The acquisition is part of BBVA's strategy to lead the technology-driven change that is transforming the financial services industry. According to Francisco ...

Covington Advises GCP in Investment Agreement with First Mariner Bancorp

WASHINGTON, DC, February 10, 2014 — Covington & Burling represented GCP Capital Partners in connection with the acquisition and recapitalization of 1st Mariner Bank by a newly formed interim bank that will be capitalized by investors including GCP Capital Partners. Formed and led by its management team, the interim bank signed an agreement with First Mariner ...

Covington’s J. D. Weinberg Presents at Bank Director’s Conference on Strategic Mergers

WASHINGTON, DC, January 31, 2014 — J. D. Weinberg, a partner in the firm’s corporate practice group, was featured speakers at the Bank Director’s 20th annual Acquire or Be Acquired Conference in Phoenix on Jan. 27. The presentation addressed strategic mergers and acquisitions in the banking sector. Topics examined include the legal issues in merger of equals; ...

Covington Advises Aspera on Its Sale to IBM

SAN FRANCISCO, December 20, 2013 — Covington & Burling advised Emeryville, Calif.-based Aspera, Inc. in its sale to IBM. Aspera’s high-speed transfer technology helps clients securely speed the movement of massive data files around the world. Aspera's technology, licensed to clients and partners either in the cloud or on premises, reduces transmission times for ...

Covington’s Emilie Jones Named ‘Associate Solicitor of the Year’

LONDON, 4 December, 2013 — London associate Emilie Jones has been named ‘Associate Solicitor of the Year’ as part of Legal Week’s The British Legal Awards. Ms. Jones was recognised for her innovative work for Covington’s brands practice, which focuses on the strategic challenges that brands face, from creating new brands, to diversifying into new markets, and ...

Covington Advises NHL on $5 Billion Canadian Broadcast Rights Deal

WASHINGTON, DC, November 26, 2013 — Covington & Burling advised the National Hockey League in negotiating its twelve-year, C$5.2 billion agreement with Rogers Communications for national broadcast and multimedia rights to NHL games, including the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the Stanley Cup Final, in Canada. The agreement is the largest media rights deal in NHL ...

Covington Advises Rightster on AIM IPO

LONDON, 12 November, 2013 — Rightster Group plc., a global provider of cloud-based services that optimise the distribution and monetisation of live and on-demand video, today announced the admission of its shares to the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. Covington & Burling advised Rightster on the transaction. Rightster has raised £20.4 million before ...

Covington Receives Two M&A Atlas Awards

NEW YORK, October 28, 2013 — Covington & Burling received two awards at the Americas M&A Atlas Awards ceremony held in New York on October 24. The firm was recognized for Cross Border Deal of the Year (Large Markets) and for South America Deal of the Year (Large Markets) in connection with Covington’s representation of Grupo Sura, the Latin American financial ...

Covington Wins Six LMG Life Sciences Awards

NEW YORK, September 27, 2013 — Covington & Burling received six awards at the inaugural LMG Life Sciences awards on September 25, including “FDA Pharmaceutical Firm of the Year” and Richard Kingham’s induction to the Hall of Fame. The awards, which are selected based on a survey of peers and leading companies in the life sciences industry, “recognize and honor ...

Covington’s Catherine Dargan Named “D.C. Deal Maker of the Year”

WASHINGTON, DC, September 13, 2013 — Catherine Dargan, co-chair of Covington & Burling’s mergers and acquisitions practice, was named one of The National Law Journal’s “D.C. Deal Makers of the Year.” The award was presented last night at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes Washington lawyers who tackled some of the most notable transactions ...

Deming and Goodwin Named to List of “Top 100 Lawyers” in California

SAN FRANCISCO, September 12, 2013 — Covington & Burling partners Bruce Deming and David Goodwin have been named to the Daily Journal’s list of “Top 100 Lawyers” in California. The list recognizes “the tremendous legal talent” in the state, according to the publication’s editors. Mr. Deming was recognized for his work representing Microsoft Corp. in major ...

Covington Advises Microsoft in EUR 5.44 Billion Nokia Transaction

SAN FRANCISCO, September 3, 2013 — Covington & Burling is advising Microsoft Corp. in its purchase of substantially all of Nokia’s devices & services business. Under the transaction, Microsoft will also license Nokia’s patents, and license and use Nokia’s mapping services. The total transaction price is EUR 5.44 billion in cash — or more than $7 billion. The ...

Covington Advises Octavian on Transaction with TPG Special Situations Partners

WASHINGTON, DC, July 31, 2013 — Covington & Burling advised Octavian Advisors, LP, Octavian Global Partners, LLC, and their affiliates ("Octavian") on a transaction with TPG Special Situations Partners ("TSSP"). Under the terms of the transaction, affiliates of TSSP acquired a significant stake in, and took over the management of, several Octavian funds. The ...

Covington Advises ReNeuron Group on £33 million Financing Package

LONDON, 22 July, 2013 — Covington & Burling acted for AIM listed stem cell therapy company, ReNeuron Group plc, on its £33 million fund raising. ReNeuron today announced that £25.35 million (before expenses) will be raised through an oversubscribed placing of new shares to fund the company’s therapeutic programmes through Phase II trials, together with a £7.8 ...

Covington Wins Two American Lawyer Global Legal Awards

WASHINGTON, DC, July 12, 2013 — Covington & Burling has been recognized as an honoree with two American Lawyer Global Legal Awards: Global Dispute of the Year, Investment Arbitration and Global M&A Deal of the Year, Canada. Covington’s International Arbitration Group, comprised of more than 50 lawyers, handles cases under the rules of every major arbitration ...

Covington Ranked in Top 20 in Emerging Markets M&A Transactions

WASHINGTON, DC, July 11, 2013 — Thomson Reuters has ranked Covington & Burling among the Top 20 legal advisers worldwide in completed M&A transactions in emerging markets during the first half of 2013. Covington ranked among the top 10 for deals involving China and the Asia Pacific region, and among the top 15 for deals involving Latin America. “We have made a ...

Covington Advises Governance for Owners in Partnership with Engaged Capital

WASHINGTON, DC, July 10, 2013 — Covington & Burling advised Governance for Owners (GO) in the formation of a new, global partnership with Engaged Capital (EC) in the activist investing arena. In addition to sharing marketing efforts, EC and GO plan to collaborate to launch a global constructive activist strategy. Based in Newport Beach, Calif., EC invests in ...

Covington Advises Microsoft in Cloud Partnership with Oracle

SAN FRANCISCO, June 27, 2013 — Covington & Burling advised Microsoft Corp. in negotiating a partnership with Oracle Corp. that will enable customers to run Oracle software on Microsoft’s private and public cloud-based platforms. The transaction involved a number of agreements documenting the licensing, product development, support and cooperation aspects of the ...

Covington’s Peets and Prescott, Named “Best in Copyright” and “Best in Investment Funds”

LONDON, 21 June, 2013 — Euromoney LMG awarded Covington partners Lisa Peets and Hilary Prescott the "Best in Copyright" and "Best in Investment Funds" awards at its Europe Women in Business Law Awards 2013 ceremony in London. The awards honour firms that set “the standard in terms of female-friendly work practices, and women leading the field in the legal sector ...

Covington Advises Canaccord Genuity Ltd and WG Partners on Lombard Medical Fundraising

LONDON, 20 June, 2013 — Covington & Burling acted for Canaccord Genuity Limited (nominated adviser and joint broker) and WG Partners, a trading name of Charles Stanley & Co. Ltd (joint broker), to AIM-quoted Lombard Medical Technologies plc on its placing and subscription of ordinary shares to raise approximately £22 million before expenses. Lombard is a ...

Covington Advises Omthera Pharmaceuticals on Merger with AstraZeneca

NEW YORK, May 28, 2013 — Omthera Pharmaceuticals and AstraZeneca announced today that the companies entered into a merger agreement under which AstraZeneca will acquire all of the outstanding stock of Omthera for an upfront payment of $12.70 in cash per share, approximately $323 million aggregate value ($260 million after subtracting cash), plus a contingent ...

Covington Named One of America’s Best Corporate Law Firms

WASHINGTON, DC, May 23, 2013 — Covington & Burling has been named to Corporate Board Member magazine’s list of top 25 national corporate law firms. The survey, conducted by the magazine and FTI Consulting, asked directors and general counsels at publicly traded companies to identify the firms they would most likely retain for a variety of legal matters. The ...

Toro and Winner Named Top Women Lawyers in California

SAN FRANCISCO, May 9, 2013 — Covington & Burling partners Amy Toro and Sonya Winner have been named to the Daily Journal’s annual list of “Top Women Lawyers” in California. The list, which includes 75 litigators and 25 corporate practitioners, recognizes “excellent lawyering and leadership skills among women attorneys.” Ms. Toro was recognized for her work ...

Covington Advises Silence Therapeutics Plc on Equity Fundraising

LONDON, 2 May, 2013 — Silence Therapeutics Plc, a leader in the discovery, development and delivery of novel RNA interference therapeutics for the treatment of serious diseases, has successfully raised £18.7 million of new funds. Covington & Burling advised Silence Therapeutics on the transaction. The Company expects to use the net proceeds of the placing of ...

Covington Advises MyPublisher in Shutterfly Merger

NEW YORK, May 1, 2013 — Covington & Burling advised MyPublisher, Inc., in its merger with Shutterfly, Inc., the leading digital retailer of personalized photo products. MyPublisher is one of the pioneers of high quality printed photo albums. The acquisition will combine MyPublisher's photo book technology and highly specialized manufacturing capabilities with ...

Covington Advises Grupo Sura in $516 Million Acquisition

NEW YORK, April 23, 2013 — Covington & Burling advised Sura Asset Management S.A. and AFP Integra S.A., affiliates of the Latin American financial group Grupo de Inversiones Suramericana, in a joint acquisition with Profuturo AFP S.A., an affiliate of The Bank of Nova Scotia, of 100 percent of the shares of AFP Horizonte, S.A., the Peruvian pension fund manager, ...

Covington’s Razi and Zern Named ’Rising Stars’

WASHINGTON, DC, April 22, 2013 — Covington & Burling partners Benjamin Razi and Peter Zern have been selected as “Rising Stars” by Law360. The online legal publication recognized lawyers “under the age of 40 who are already making a name for themselves in their practice areas.” In a profile, the publication noted Mr. Razi’s white collar work, as well as his ...

Covington’s Bruce Deming “Attorney of the Year”

SAN FRANCISCO, March 27, 2013 — The Recorder, a leading California legal newspaper, has named Covington & Burling partner Bruce Deming as one of its “Attorneys of the Year” for 2012. The winners were chosen based on their exceptional work handling “market-moving deals and industry shaping litigation” as well as achieving “precedent-setting outcomes” and ...

Covington Advises AstraZeneca on Moderna Therapeutics Deal

LONDON, 25 March, 2013 — AstraZeneca and Moderna Therapeutics announced an agreement to develop and commercialise pioneering messenger RNA therapeutics™ for the treatment of serious cardiovascular, metabolic and renal diseases as well as cancer. Covington & Burling advised AstraZeneca on the deal, working alongside AstraZeneca’s in-house legal team. Under the ...

Congressional Leader Howard Berman Joins Covington

WASHINGTON, DC, March 14, 2013 — Congressman Howard Berman, a widely respected leader in the U.S. Congress, is joining Covington & Burling’s global public policy and government affairs practice. The addition of Rep. Berman, the former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, comes a week after Sen. Jon Kyl joined Covington’s public policy and government ...

BTI Names Martin and Tielemans ‘Client Service All-Stars’

WASHINGTON, DC, February 26, 2013 — The BTI Consulting Group has named Covington & Burling partners David Martin and Henriette Tielemans to its 2013 “Client Service All-Stars” list. The BTI “Client Service All-Stars” were singled out by general counsel and direct reports at large and Fortune 1000 organizations in one-on-one interviews. Mr. Martin, based in ...

Covington Advises The Hut Group on an Equity Fundraising

LONDON, 26 February, 2013 — Covington & Burling advised The Hut Group Limited, one of Europe’s fastest growing online retailers and brand owners, on an equity fundraising in line with its category expansion strategy. The London-based Covington team was led by corporate partners Natalie Walter and Kristian Wiggert, with assistance from corporate associates Karen ...

William Sturman Joins Covington’s Private Equity Practice

NEW YORK, January 22, 2013 — William L. Sturman has joined Covington & Burling’s corporate practice as a partner, strengthening the firm’s private equity fund formation capabilities. He will be resident in Covington’s New York office. Mr. Sturman counsels private equity fund sponsors and investors on a wide range of fund formation and regulatory issues. He has ...

Covington Advises Illumina in Acquisition of Verinata Health

NEW YORK, January 7, 2013 — Covington & Burling advised Illumina, Inc. on its announced acquisition of Verinata Health, Inc. for cash consideration of $350 million plus up to $100 million in milestone payments through 2015. Upon completion of the acquisition, Illumina will have access to the Verinata’s verifi® prenatal test, the broadest non-invasive prenatal ...

Covington Advises SandRidge on $2.6 Billion Sale of Permian

WASHINGTON, DC, December 19, 2012 — SandRidge Energy, Inc. today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell Permian Basin properties to Sheridan Production, a private operator, for $2.6 billion in cash. Covington & Burling, along with Texas-based Locke Lord, advised SandRidge on the transaction. SandRidge will use the proceeds to reduce debt ...

Covington Advises Grupo Financiero Banorte in $1.6 Billion Acquisition

NEW YORK, November 28, 2012— Covington & Burling is advising Grupo Financiero Banorte S.A.B. de C.V., and its affiliate Afore XXI Banorte, S.A. de C.V., in a $1.6-billion acquisition of Afore Bancomer, S.A. de C.V. from the Spanish bank, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A., which would create Mexico’s largest pension fund. Afore Bancomer is Mexico’s second ...

Covington Advises UBS in $3.6 Billion Leucadia National Corp. Deal

NEW YORK, November 12, 2012 — Covington & Burling represented UBS Securities LLC, financial advisor to Leucadia National Corporation (NYSE: LUK), in its announced $3.6 billion acquisition of Jefferies Group, Inc. (NYSE: JEF). Under the terms of the agreement, Leucadia will issue to shareholders holding the 71.4 percent of outstanding common stock of Jefferies ...

U.S. News-Best Lawyers Again Ranks Covington Among Nation's Top Law Firms

WASHINGTON, DC, November 7, 2012 — Covington & Burling received 97 first-tier practice rankings in the 2013 “Best Law Firms” survey by U.S. News-Best Lawyers, placing Covington among the top 10 firms nationwide. Covington was also named “Law Firm of the Year” in both FDA Law and Corporate Compliance Law. The honor is presented to one law firm in each of the ...

Covington Opens New Office in Seoul

WASHINGTON, DC, November 1, 2012 — Covington & Burling opens its Seoul office today after securing final approval from the Korean Ministry of Justice and the Korean Bar Association. The new office will be located in the Meritz Tower, at 825-2, Yeoksamdong in the heart of Seoul’s Gangnam business district. “We are honored to be among the first U.S. law firms to ...

Covington Advises AstraZeneca on Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Deal

WASHINGTON, DC, October 23, 2012 — AstraZeneca and Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today an agreement to develop and market Ironwood’s linaclotide in China. Covington & Burling advised AstraZeneca on the deal. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved linaclotide last August, making it the first of its class of drugs approved in the United States. ...

Covington Advises Verizon on $7.5 Billion Pension Transfer

WASHINGTON, DC, October 22, 2012 — Covington & Burling served as ERISA counsel to Verizon Communications Inc. on its transfer of $7.5 billion in pension liabilities to The Prudential Insurance Company of America. Many sponsors of defined benefit plans, especially frozen plans, are considering ways to “de-risk” by reducing or eliminating the volatility ...

Covington Advises Armani on UK Acquisition

LONDON, October 4, 2012 — Covington & Burling advised the Giorgio Armani Group on the acquisition of its retail and wholesale business from long-term retail partner Club 21. Under the terms of the deal, announced Tuesday, Armani has taken direct control of sales for its leading brands, which include Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani, Armani Collezioni and Armani ...

Covington Promotes 15 Lawyers to Partnership

WASHINGTON, DC, October 1, 2012 — Covington & Burling is pleased to announce that it has elected 15 new lawyers to its partnership. This group is comprised of diverse and talented individuals from five offices who have made their mark at the firm through exceptional work and the highest standards of client service. “We’re delighted to welcome these 15 lawyers to ...

Covington Lawyers Recognized by NY Super Lawyers

NEW YORK, September 24, 2012 — New York Super Lawyers selected 27 Covington & Burling lawyers for its 2012 list of top legal talent. Super Lawyers selects only five percent of the total lawyers in the state based upon peer review and the publication’s independent research. Nineteen Covington lawyers were named New York Super Lawyers: Jack Bodner, Mergers & ...

Covington Advises Eland Oil & Gas PLC on £118M Initial Offering

LONDON, 24 September, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP acted as US counsel to Eland Oil & Gas PLC, a West Africa-focused energy firm, in connection with its initial offering on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange PLC. The offering, which closed on September 3, raised £118 million ($189 million), making it the largest AIM flotation in more than three ...

Seven Covington Lawyers Named ‘2013 Lawyer of the Year’

WASHINGTON, DC, September 13, 2012 — Best Lawyers in America named seven Covington & Burling lawyers today as “2013 Lawyer of the Year” in their respective practice areas and cities. The selected lawyers received strong ratings from their peers for their “abilities, professionalism and integrity,” in the publication’s annual survey. Best Lawyers recognizes only ...

Bruce Deming Named to List of “Top 100 Lawyers” in California

SAN FRANCISCO, September 13, 2012 — Covington & Burling partner Bruce Deming has been named to the Daily Journal’s list of “Top 100 Lawyers” in California. The list recognizes “lawyers who moved the needle, had an impact on the legal industry, our state, the nation and the world,” said the publication’s editors, who considered more than 1,000 attorneys from ...

Covington Advises Meda on Acquisition of Jazz Pharmaceuticals’ Women’s Health Products

LONDON, 06 September, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP acted as legal advisers to Meda in an agreement with Jazz Pharmaceuticals to acquire a portfolio of six pharmaceutical products for women for $95 million in cash. The largest and most important product in the portfolio is Elestrin, a patented product with sales of almost 100 MSEK, that doctors prescribe for ...

Covington Expands Life Sciences Practice in China with Addition of Weishi Li

WASHINGTON, DC, September 5, 2012 — Covington & Burling is pleased to announce the addition of Weishi Li as a partner to its corporate team, further bolstering the firm’s global transactional and IP capabilities in the life sciences and technology sectors. Ms. Li will be based in Shanghai when that office opens. Ms. Li’s practice covers a wide range of ...

Covington Receives 196 Individual Mentions in 2013 Edition of Best Lawyers

WASHINGTON, DC, August 27, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP lawyers received 196 individual mentions in 57 areas of law in the 2013 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top U.S. lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as ...

Covington Advises AstraZeneca in Agreement with Pfizer for OTC Nexium

WASHINGTON, DC, August 14, 2012 — Covington & Burling advised AstraZeneca in its agreement with Pfizer for over-the-counter rights to sell a nonprescription version of Nexium, a medication prescribed to treat the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. The agreement gives Pfizer rights to sell a 20mg nonprescription version of AstraZeneca's Nexium ...

Covington Advises SandRidge on $1.1 Billion Notes Offering

WASHINGTON, DC, August 7, 2012 — Covington & Burling advised SandRidge Energy, Inc. on a $1.1 billion offering of two series of senior notes, marking SandRidge's largest capital markets transaction to date. The offering was comprised of $825 million of 7.5 percent senior notes due 2023 and $275 million of 7.5 percent senior notes due 2021. The proceeds of the ...

Covington Advises Borrego Solar in its Largest Single Fund for Solar Energy Projects

SAN FRANCISCO, August 2, 2012 — Covington & Burling represented Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. in connection with its new $64.4 million project finance fund with partners U.S. Bank and National Cooperative Bank. The fund will be used to build more than 18 megawatts of solar energy systems, including systems to be located at four municipal landfill installations and ...

Covington Advises Cell Medica on Equity Investment

LONDON, 31 July, 2012 — Covington & Burling advised Cell Medica Limited on its £17 million equity investment to launch new operations in Texas focusing on cancer immunotherapy and to continue development of its immune reconstitution cell therapies in Europe. The financing includes new investment from Invesco Perpetual, Imperial Innovations, and The Cancer ...

Variety Names Goldberg One of ‘50 Game-Changing Attorneys’

BEIJING, 29 June, 2012 — Variety magazine has named Beijing-based Covington & Burling of counsel Jason Goldberg one of “50 Game-Changing Attorneys” in its 2012 Legal Impact Report. The special feature recognizes the world’s top entertainment lawyers whose deals and court battles over the past 18 months have changed the shape of the business. In a June 25 ...

Covington Advises Ascom Holding in Medical Device Acquisition

NEW YORK, June 22, 2012 — Covington & Burling advised Ascom Holding AG in its acquisition of GE Healthcare’s nurse call medical device business. The acquisition gives Ascom access to the North American nurse call market and creates opportunities to combine GE Nurse Call systems with Ascom’s existing mobility offering. With this acquisition, Ascom further ...

Covington Adds Leading Latin America Attorney

NEW YORK, June 13, 2012 — Covington & Burling is strengthening its transactional capabilities in Latin America with the addition of Gabriel Mesa, a senior corporate lawyer with in-depth experience in the region. Mr. Mesa joins the firm’s New York office as of counsel in the firm’s corporate practice where he is expected to advise corporations in joint ventures ...

Covington Advises SandRidge Energy in $130 Million Sale of Tertiary Assets to Morgan Stanley Global Private Equity

NEW YORK, June 4, 2012 — Covington advised SandRidge Energy, Inc. on the sale of its non-core tertiary recovery business for $130 million to Morgan Stanley Global Private Equity portfolio company Trinity CO2 Investments. The divested properties are located in West Texas and currently produce approximately 1,100 barrels of oil per day. SandRidge Energy is an oil ...

Covington Advises UCB in Brazil Acquisition

NEW YORK, June 4, 2012 — Covington advised UCB S.A. in the acquisition of a majority interest in Meizler Biopharma, S.A., a Brazilian pharmaceutical company that commercializes a portfolio of in-licensed specialty products. The transaction agreements foresee performance related milestone payments in the coming years as well as an option to purchase the ...

Covington Names Nash and Walter to Lead London Office

LONDON, 29 May, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP is pleased to announce Louise Nash as the new London office managing partner. She succeeds Roger Enock, who steps down after five years in the role. The firm also announced that Christopher Walter will succeed Ms. Nash as the office deputy managing partner. Mr. Enock will continue as head of the firm’s London ...

Covington Advises SeaChange International on Media Sale

LONDON, 24 May, 2012 — Covington & Burling advised SeaChange International, Inc., on the sale of its UK-based media services company, On Demand Group Limited, to Avail-TVN, a company backed by Carlyle Group. The sale is part of SeaChange’s strategy to transform the company into a pure-play software company. SeaChange is a leading global multi-screen video ...

Covington Named to Corporate Board Member’s Top 25 General Counsel Rankings

WASHINGTON, DC, May 16, 2012 — Covington & Burling has been named to Corporate Board Member magazine’s list of the top 25 national corporate law firms in 2012 based on a comprehensive survey of general counsel at publicly traded companies. The survey, conducted by the magazine and FTI Consulting, asked general counsels to identify the firms they would most ...

Covington Advises University on Creation of Bioinformatics Database

SAN FRANCISCO, May 2, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP advised the University of California, Santa Cruz on the creation of a national, federally-financed bioinformatics database. The database will serve as a secure repository for storing, cataloging, and accessing cancer genome sequences, alignments, and mutation information from leading cancer-related projects ...

Covington Expands New York Capital Markets Practice

NEW YORK, April 30, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP is pleased to announce that capital markets lawyers Don Murray and Eric Blanchard will join the firm’s corporate practice as partners effective May 1st. They will be resident in the firm’s New York office. Mr. Murray and Mr. Blanchard represent underwriters and issuers in initial public offerings and other ...

Covington Advises Armani on New Franchise Agreement

LONDON, 25 April, 2012 — Covington & Burling advised Giorgio Armani in a deal to terminate its existing joint venture and store lease arrangement in India with DLF Retail Brands. As a result of the termination, Armani will enter into a new franchise arrangement with Genesis Luxury Fashion Pvt. Ltd. Under the terms of the agreement, all assets of DLF Retail ...

Covington Advises SandRidge on Royalty Trust IPO

WASHINGTON, DC, April 24, 2012 — SandRidge Mississippian Trust II announced today the closing of its initial public offering of 29.9 million common units, including 3.9 million common units sold pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, representing a 60 percent beneficial interest in the Trust. SandRidge Energy, Inc., as sponsor of ...

Covington Advises Microsoft in Patent Agreement With Facebook

SAN FRANCISCO, April 23, 2012 — Covington & Burling advised Microsoft Corp. in negotiating a definitive agreement with Facebook that assigns the social networking company the right to purchase a portion of a patent portfolio that Microsoft recently purchased from AOL Inc. Under the agreement, announced today, Facebook will pay $550 million in cash. Covington ...

Covington Advises AstraZeneca in $1.26 Billion Acquisition of Ardea Biosciences

WASHINGTON, DC, April 23, 2012 — Covington & Burling represented AstraZeneca in its $1.26 billion acquisition of Ardea Biosciences. Under the agreement, AstraZeneca will pay $32 per share for all of the outstanding shares of Ardea. AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business with a primary focus on the discovery, development and ...

Covington Advises Thomson Reuters In $1.25 Billion Sale of its Healthcare Business

NEW YORK, April 23, 2012 — Covington & Burling represented Thomson Reuters in a definitive agreement to sell its Healthcare business to an affiliate of Veritas Capital for $1.25 billion in cash. The sale, expected to close in the next few months, is subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions, including the expiration or termination of ...

Covington Announces Six New Counsel

WASHINGTON, DC, April 16, 2012 — Covington & Burling is pleased to announce the promotion of one lawyer to of counsel and five lawyers to special counsel, effective April 1, 2012. Wendy Feng (San Francisco), the new of counsel, represents policyholders in insurance coverage cases in state and federal courts. She provides strategic claims-related advice and has ...

Ingrid Rechtin Named a “Fast Track” Lawyer

SAN FRANCISCO, April 13 , 2012 — The Recorder has named Ingrid Rechtin to its list of “50 Lawyers on the Fast Track.” The publication’s editors chose the winners after reviewing materials on more than 300 nominees, all California lawyers in their first 10 years out of law school. “We judged the nominees as leaders, lawyers and community members: Making the ...

Covington Advises Tom Benson On New Orleans Hornets Purchase

WASHINGTON, DC, April 13, 2012 — Covington & Burling advised Tom Benson, the longtime owner of the New Orleans Saints, in his purchase of the New Orleans Hornets for an undisclosed sum. The purchase and related agreements were finalized this week. Closing is expected before the end of June. “I am very grateful to Bruce Wilson and the Covington team,” Mr. ...

Covington Advises Leading Stem Cell Company on Placing and Open Offer

LONDON, 6 April, 2012 — Covington & Burling advised ReNeuron Group plc, an AIM-listed clinical stage stem cell business, in connection with a firm placing and open offer to existing shareholders to raise up to £9.4 million before expenses. In addition, investors in the firm placing are being issued warrants to subscribe for ordinary shares, which could raise up ...

Covington Receives 46 Lawyer, 20 Practice Accolades in Chambers Global

LONDON, 19 March, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP received 46 individual mentions and 20 practice mentions in the Chambers Global 2012 edition. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers globally by pan-regional and country practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. The Covington lawyers ...

SportsBusiness Journal Names Peter Zern One of 40 Under 40

WASHINGTON, DC, March 13, 2012 — Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal has named Covington & Burling LLP partner Peter Zern a recipient of its “Forty Under 40” award. The annual list honors the best and brightest executives in the sports business industry under the age of 40, and is described by the publication as the most coveted award in sports business. ...

Covington to Open Seoul Office, Adds William H.Y. Park

WASHINGTON, DC, March 12, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP has applied to open a new office in Seoul and tapped William H.Y. Park, a veteran corporate lawyer based in Korea, to help oversee the expansion. Mr. Park will work closely with former Ambassador to the United Nations Daniel Spiegel, senior of counsel at Covington, who will be the Foreign Legal Consultant ...

Covington Advises Borrego Solar in Financing Transaction

SAN FRANCISCO, March 1, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP represented Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. in connection with its new $47 million project finance fund with partners U.S. Bank and East West Bank. The fund will finance solar energy projects that are expected to create hundreds of new jobs and generate electricity to power nearly 2,000 homes. Borrego Solar is ...

Covington Advises IMS in Acquisition of HedgeOp

LONDON, 23 February, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP represented IMS Consulting Group Limited in its agreement to acquire HedgeOp Compliance, LLC. HedgeOp is the leading provider of specialised compliance software and consulting services for investment advisers in the United States. IMS is a leading European governance, risk and compliance services group. The ...

Covington Advises Moelis & Company on Amgen’s $1.16 Billion Acquisition of Micromet

NEW YORK, February 2, 2012 — Covington & Burling represented Moelis & Company, financial advisor to Amgen, in its cash acquisition of Micromet, Inc. in a deal valued at approximately $1.16 billion. The acquisition, reported on Jan. 26, includes blinatumomab, a Bispecific T cell Engager antibody in Phase 2 clinical development for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. ...

Covington Advises SandRidge in $1.275 Billion Acquisition of Dynamic Offshore Resources and Related Financing

New York, February 1, 2012 — Covington & Burling advised SandRidge Energy, Inc. on its announced acquisition of Dynamic Offshore Resources, LLC for $1.275 billion in cash and stock. Under the agreement, SandRidge will pay about $680 million in cash and approximately 74 million shares of SandRidge common stock valued at $8.02 per share. Covington also advised ...

Covington Advises ChemGen Corp. in Acquisition By Eli Lilly

WASHINGTON, DC, January 24, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP represented ChemGen Corp. in its definitive merger agreement with Eli Lilly and Company. Upon closing of the transaction, ChemGen will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and an operating unit of Elanco, the animal health division of Eli Lilly. ChemGen, headquartered in Gaithersburg, ...

Covington Advises Resource America In Global Credit Deal

NEW YORK, January 4, 2012 — Covington & Burling advised Resource America, Inc. in its definitive agreement with CVC Capital Partners to create a global credit management business with over $7.5 billion in assets under management called CVC Credit Partners. As part of the transaction, Resource America plans to sell Apidos Capital management, its CLO manager, to ...

Covington Advises NFL on Major Network TV Deal

WASHINGTON, DC, December 15, 2011 — Covington advised the National Football League in negotiating nine-year extensions of its Sunday broadcast television packages with CBS, FOX and NBC networks. The NFL owners voted to approve the package of TV deals with FOX, CBS and NBC on Wednesday. The new agreements, announced yesterday, run through the 2022 season, and ...

Covington Bolsters Cross-Border M&A and Capital Markets with Kristian Wiggert

LONDON, 8 December, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP is pleased to announce that Kristian Wiggert has joined the firm’s European corporate group as a partner in London. Mr. Wiggert is a US-qualified lawyer with extensive experience in cross-border financings, mergers and acquisitions, private equity and securities. His practice covers a wide range of industries, ...

Covington Helps BIG EAST Go West

WASHINGTON, DC, December 7, 2011 — The BIG EAST Conference announced today that it has reached an agreement for the admission of five new members. Covington & Burling represented the BIG EAST in its negotiations with each of the five schools. Under the agreements, University of Central Florida, University of Houston and Southern Methodist University will begin ...

Covington Advises Resource Capital Corp. on Investment Restructuring

NEW YORK, November 28, 2011 — Covington & Burling represented Resource Capital Corp. (NYSE: RSO) in the restructuring of its investment in Leaf Commercial Capital, Inc. (LEAF), a commercial finance joint venture in which RSO has a substantial interest. The restructuring of RSO’s investment was undertaken in connection with a growth equity investment of $50 ...

Covington Advises Salix Pharmaceuticals in $300M Acquisition of Oceana Therapeutics

WASHINGTON, DC, November 10, 2011 — Covington & Burling represented Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. in its agreement to acquire Oceana Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held global provider of gastroenterology and urology therapeutics, for $300 million in cash. “The acquisition of Oceana expands our product portfolio of innovative products, furthers the ...

Senior State Department Official With Expertise in Latin America Joins Covington

WASHINGTON, DC, November 8, 2011 — Dr. Arturo Valenzuela, a former senior State Department official who held key positions in formulating and executing U.S. foreign policy towards the Americas, is joining Covington & Burling, strengthening the firm’s ability to assist Latin American and U.S.-based corporations expand their global presence. Dr. Valenzuela joins ...

Covington Advises Microsoft in Sale of its Stake in ContentGuard

SAN FRANCISCO, November 2, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP represented Microsoft Corporation in the sale of its minority interest in ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. to Pendrell Technologies LLC. ContentGuard, based in El Segundo, Calif., is a leading inventor, developer and licensor of digital rights management (DRM) and related content distribution patents and ...

U.S. News-Best Lawyers Awards Covington ‘Law Firm of the Year’ in FDA Law and 82 First-Tier Practice Rankings

WASHINGTON, DC, November 1, 2011 — For the second consecutive year, U.S. News-Best Lawyers awarded Covington & Burling the most first-tier practice rankings for Washington, DC in the “Best Law Firms” survey. The 2011-12 survey also awarded the firm 82 first-tier practice rankings, placing Covington among the top 20 firms nationwide. Additionally, U.S. ...

Covington Advises Axis-Shield plc on £235M Takeover Offer from Alere, Inc.

LONDON, 21 October, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP is advising Axis-Shield plc on the recommended £235 million all cash public takeover offer from Alere, Inc., a US company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Axis-Shield is a Scottish-Norwegian company, listed on the London and Oslo Stock Exchanges, that develops and manufactures in vitro diagnostic tests for ...

Covington Advises Indian Energy on Recommended Takeover by Infrastructure India

LONDON, 23 September, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP advised its long-standing client Indian Energy Limited, an independent power producer operating wind farms in India, on a recommended all-share takeover by Infrastructure India plc. The takeover was implemented by way of a scheme of arrangement approved by the Guernsey courts and valued Indian Energy at ...

Covington Advises NFL in its Eight-Year Extension of Monday Night Football Rights with ESPN

WASHINGTON, DC, September 9, 2011 — The National Football League has announced that it has entered into a new eight-year agreement with ESPN providing for Monday Night Football, the most successful series in sports media history, to remain on ESPN through the 2021 NFL season. The broad multiplatform agreement, which begins in 2014, includes eight full seasons of ...

Covington Receives 184 Individual Mentions in 2012 Edition of Best Lawyers

WASHINGTON, DC, September 7, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP lawyers received 184 individual mentions in 56 areas of law in the 2012 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: ...

Covington Advises Microsoft in Standards-Essential Wireless Patents Portfolio Transaction with MOSAID and Nokia

SAN FRANCISCO, September 2, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP represented Microsoft Corp. in a patent monetization transaction involving the acquisition by MOSAID Technologies Incorporated of Core Wireless Licensing S.a.r.l., a Luxembourg company that holds a portfolio of 400 patent families, consisting of approximately 2,000 wireless patents and patent ...

Covington Advises Joy Global in Sale of Drilling Products Business

NEW YORK, August 31, 2011 — Joy Global Inc. (NASDAQ: JOYG), a worldwide leader in high-productivity mining solutions, reported today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell the drilling products business of its recently acquired LeTourneau Technologies, Inc. to Cameron International Corporation (NYSE: CAM) for $375 million in cash, subject to ...

Covington Advises UFC on Fox Deal

WASHINGTON, DC, August 22, 2011 — Zuffa LLC, parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and Fox have agreed to a seven-year broadcast deal that will distribute live and taped mixed martial arts programming across the broadcast network's multiple television platforms beginning in January 2012. Covington & Burling LLP advised UFC on the transaction. The ...

Covington Advises SandRidge on Royalty Trust Offering

WASHINGTON, DC, August 16, 2011 — SandRidge Permian Trust recently announced the closing of its initial public offering of 34.5 million common units of beneficial interest at a price of $18 per unit. Net proceeds of the offering, before expenses, were approximately $584 million. The common units sold in the offering represent a 66 percent beneficial interest ...

Covington’s Baxter Appointed to ABA Business Law Section Council

WASHINGTON, DC, August 15, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP is pleased to announce that partner Michael St. Patrick Baxter has been appointed to the Council of the American Bar Association’s Business Law Section. “I am honored by this appointment and by the trust and confidence placed in me by the Section leadership,” Mr. Baxter said. “I look forward to ...

Covington Advises Bristol-Myers Squibb in $325M Acquisition of Amira Pharmaceuticals

NEW YORK, July 22, 2011 — Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Amira Pharmaceuticals, Inc., have reported that the companies have signed a definitive agreement under which Bristol-Myers Squibb will acquire privately held Amira Pharmaceuticals. Covington & Burling LLP represented Bristol-Myers Squibb in the transaction. Under the terms of the agreement, ...

Covington Advises Joy Global in $1.5 Billion Acquisition Financing

WASHINGTON, DC, July 15, 2011 — Joy Global Inc. (NASDAQ: JOYG), a worldwide leader in high-productivity mining solutions, reported yesterday that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire approximately 41 percent of the outstanding common stock of International Mining Machinery Holdings Ltd. (IMM), a Hong Kong listed designer and manufacturer of ...

Covington Advises Microsoft in $4.5B Bid for Nortel’s Patent Portfolio

NEW YORK, July 5, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP represented Microsoft Corp. in the $4.5 billion winning bid in the auction of Nortel Networks Corporation’s 6000 patents and patent applications. A consortium of Microsoft and several other technology companies will share Nortel’s 4G wireless, data networking, optical, voice, Internet, service provider, ...

Covington Advises National Geographic in Cengage Learning Deal

WASHINGTON, DC, June 29, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP represented National Geographic Society in its agreement with Cengage Learning to sell its digital and print school publishing unit and to extend additional rights to use the National Geographic brand in higher education and library markets worldwide. National Geographic’s school publishing unit includes ...

Covington Advises Morgan Stanley on Atlantic Power’s C$1.1B Acquisition of Capital Power Income

NEW YORK, June 20, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP represented Morgan Stanley, financial advisor to Atlantic Power Corporation, in its acquisition of Capital Power Income L.P. in a deal valued at approximately C$1.1 billion. The transaction will create a leading North American contracted power generation platform with over 2,100 megawatts of capacity. Under the ...

Chambers USA Recognizes Covington with 123 Individual, 45 Practice Nods

WASHINGTON, DC, June 10, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP received 123 individual mentions and 45 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2011. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...

Covington Advises Prosper Marketplace in Funding Round

SAN FRANCISCO, June 8, 2011 — Prosper.com, a social lending marketplace that brings together creditworthy borrowers with individual and institutional investors, has raised over $17 million in funding from new investors, Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Crosslink Capital. Covington & Burling LLP advised Prosper on the transaction. Existing investors, Accel Partners, ...

Covington Advises Joy Global in Acquisition of LeTourneau Technologies, Inc.

WASHINGTON, DC, May 16, 2011 — Joy Global Inc. (NASDAQ: JOYG), a worldwide leader in high-productivity mining solutions, reported today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100 percent ownership interest in LeTourneau Technologies, Inc. (“LeTourneau”) from Rowan Companies, Inc. (“Rowan”) (NYSE: RDC) for $1.1 billion in cash. LeTourneau designs, ...

Covington Advises Gleacher & Company on CKx, Inc. Sale to Apollo Global Management

NEW YORK, May 10, 2011 — CKx, Inc., an owner of premium entertainment content, today announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of Apollo Global Management, a leading global alternative asset manager. Covington & Burling LLP advised Gleacher & Company, Inc., financial advisor to CKx, on the transaction. Under ...

Covington Again Named to Corporate Board Member’s Top 25

WASHINGTON, DC, May 10, 2011 — For the sixth consecutive year, Covington & Burling LLP has been named to Corporate Board Member’s list of America’s Best Corporate Law Firms. The list of 25 firms is based on a comprehensive survey of directors of publicly traded companies by Corporate Board Member magazine and FTI Consulting. Covington was also again named to the ...

Covington Advises UBS in $3.4B International Coal Group Deal

NEW YORK, May 2, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP represented UBS Securities LLC, financial adviser to International Coal Group, Inc., in its $3.4 billion sale to Arch Coal, Inc., creating the second largest U.S. metallurgical coal supplier and a top-five overall global coal producer and marketer. Under the terms of the agreement, Arch will acquire all of the ...

Covington Advises Goodyear in European Credit Facility, €250M Senior Notes Offering

NEW YORK, April 21, 2011 — The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced that it has amended and restated its European revolving credit facility and closed an offering of €250 million of 6 3/4 percent Senior Notes due 2019 by its European subsidiary, Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe B.V. Changes to the European credit facility include the extension of the ...

Covington Advises SandRidge Energy, Inc. on Royalty Trust Public Offering

WASHINGTON, DC, April 13, 2011 — SandRidge Mississippian Trust I has announced the closing of its public offering of 17.25 million common units of beneficial interest, at a price per unit of $21.00. The 17.25 million units represent an approximately 62 percent beneficial interest in the Trust. Covington & Burling LLP served as counsel to SandRidge Energy, Inc. ...

Covington Advises Goodyear on $500M Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Offering

NEW YORK, April 6, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP represented The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in its $500 million registered underwritten offering of 5.875 percent Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, which closed on March 31, 2011. Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Citi and Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc. served as joint book-running ...

Covington Advises BofA Merrill Lynch on TomoTherapy’s Sale to Accuray

NEW YORK, March 7, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP represented BofA Merrill Lynch, financial adviser to TomoTherapy Incorporated, in its sale to Accuray Incorporated for $277 million. Under terms of the agreement, TomoTherapy will be sold to Accuray for $4.80 per share in cash and Accuray stock. TomoTherapy is a creator of advanced radiation therapy solutions ...

Covington Advises Resource Capital Corporation on the Acquisition of Churchill Pacific Asset Management LLC

NEW YORK, March 3, 2011 — Resource Capital Corporation (RSO) has announced that it has completed its purchase of 100 percent of the ownership interests in Churchill Pacific Asset Management LLC (CPAM) from Churchill Financial Holdings LLC. CPAM is the collateral manager to five Collateralized Loan Obligations (CLOs) totaling approximately $1.9 billion in assets. ...

Covington Advises Forest on Acquisition of Clinical Data, Inc.

NEW YORK, February 22, 2011 — Forest Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: FRX) and Clinical Data, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLDA) announced today that they have entered into a merger agreement pursuant to which Forest will acquire Clinical Data, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development of first-in-class and best-in-category therapeutics. Covington & Burling LLP ...

Covington Advises Perella Weinberg on NYSE Euronext/Deutsche Börse AG Merger

NEW YORK, February 15, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP represented Perella Weinberg Partners, as financial advisor to NYSE Euronext, in its merger with Deutsche Börse AG announced today, forming the premier global exchange group. Under the terms of the agreement, NYSE shareholders will own 40 percent of the newly merged company, and Deutsche Börse shareholders ...

Covington Practice Groups and Lawyers Named to PLC Rankings

WASHINGTON, DC, February 15, 2011 — For the seventh time, Practical Law Company has awarded Covington & Burling LLP its worldwide first place ranking in the Life Sciences Regulatory Super League category. PLC also singled out Covington’s Antitrust/Competition, Corporate, and Insurance practices, along with lawyers from each group, in its practice-specific ...

Covington Advises IMG College in Launch of TV Network for The University of Texas at Austin

WASHINGTON, DC, January 24, 2011 — The University of Texas at Austin, ESPN and UT Athletics' multimedia rights partner IMG College have announced a 20-year agreement to create what soon will be the nation's largest 24-hour television network dedicated to covering a university's intercollegiate athletics, music, cultural arts and academic programs. Covington ...

Covington Advises Scout Partners on Investment in The Hinckley Company

NEW YORK, January 11, 2011 — Scout Partners LLC has announced that it has made a growth capital investment in The Hinckley Company. Terms of the transaction, which closed on December 30, 2010, were not disclosed. Covington & Burling LLP advised Scout Partners on the deal. Scout Partners, a partnership between David Howe and Peterson Capital LLC, was created ...

Covington Advises Charlesbank on Acquisition of Peacock Engineering Company

NEW YORK, January 6, 2011 — Charlesbank Capital Partners has announced that it has acquired Peacock Engineering Company, LLC, a leading provider of outsourced food packaging and supply chain management services to many of the nation’s largest branded consumer products companies, from Behrman Capital. The terms of the transaction, which closed on December 21, ...

American Bankers Ass’n President Edward Yingling to Join Covington

WASHINGTON, DC, December 7, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP is pleased to announce that Edward Yingling, President and CEO of the American Bankers Association (ABA), will be joining the firm as a partner. His practice will focus on advising financial institutions on regulatory, transactional, enforcement, and legislative matters, with particular emphasis on ...

Covington Advises Perella Weinberg on $3B J.Crew Deal

NEW YORK, November 23, 2010 — J.Crew Group, Inc. today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by funds affiliated with TPG Capital and Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. Under the terms of the agreement, holders of the outstanding common shares of J.Crew will receive $43.50 per share in cash, or a total of approximately $3 billion. ...

Covington Advises SandRidge Energy on $250M Preferred Stock Offering

WASHINGTON, DC, November 10, 2010 — SandRidge Energy, Inc. has announced a private offering, which closed today, of 2.5 million shares of its 7.0% convertible perpetual preferred stock for net proceeds of approximately $242 million. The company has also granted an option to the initial purchasers to purchase an additional 500,000 shares, or $50 million, of the ...

Covington Advises Atlas Pipeline Holdings L.P. in Acquisition of Upstream Oil & Gas Assets from Atlas Energy, Inc.

NEW YORK, November 9, 2010 — Atlas Pipeline Holdings L.P. and Atlas Energy, Inc. announced today that they have entered into an agreement for Atlas Holdings to acquire from its parent, Atlas Energy, all of Atlas Energy’s partnership management business and certain producing oil & gas assets for total consideration of $250 million, consisting of $220 million in ...

Covington Advises Colbeck Capital Management on Kadmon Pharmaceuticals Acquisition

NEW YORK, October 25, 2010 — Kadmon Pharmaceuticals announced today that it has acquired Three Rivers Pharmaceuticals, a privately held specialty pharmaceuticals company based in Warrendale, Pennsylvania. Three Rivers will serve as the commercial and operational cornerstone for Kadmon, a privately held biopharmaceutical company based in New York City. Terms of ...

Covington Advises Omeros Corporation in Deal to Advance GPCR Program

SAN FRANCISCO, October 25, 2010 — Omeros Corporation today announced that it has received $20 million from Vulcan Capital as well as a grant award for $5 million from Washington State's Life Sciences Discovery Fund (LSDF) to support the advancement of the Company's G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) program. In return, Vulcan Capital and LSDF have a right to ...

Covington Advises King Pharmaceuticals on $3.6B Merger with Pfizer

NEW YORK, October 12, 2010 — King Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer announced today that they have entered into an agreement for Pfizer to acquire all of the outstanding stock and stock equivalents of King for $14.25 in cash per share, or aggregate consideration of $3.6 billion. Covington & Burling LLP advised King on the transaction. King is a vertically integrated ...

Covington Promotes Six Lawyers to Partnership

WASHINGTON, DC, October 1, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP today announced that six of its lawyers have been elected to the firm’s partnership. The six new partners and their practices are as follows: Tammy Albarrán (Litigation) focuses on SEC enforcement work, private securities class action litigation, derivative actions, and internal investigations. She ...

Covington Advises Charlesbank on Sale of Blacksmith Brands Holdings

NEW YORK, September 21, 2010 — Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc. has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the stock of Blacksmith Brands Holdings, Inc., a portfolio company of Charlesbank Capital Partners, for $190 million in cash. Covington & Burling LLP advised Charlesbank on the transaction, which is expected to close in ...

Covington Receives First-Tier Practice Nods in Inaugural “Best Law Firms” Rankings by U.S. News and Best Lawyers

WASHINGTON, DC, September 17, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP received 33 first-tier practice rankings in the 2010 “Best Law Firms” survey by U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers. Covington’s first-tier national rankings place it among the top 10 firms nationwide and at the top of the first-tier rankings for Washington, DC. The inaugural rankings presented in ...

Washington Business Journal Names Covington’s Zern to ‘40 Under 40’

WASHINGTON, DC, September 8, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP partner Peter Zern has been named to Washington Business Journal’s “40 Under 40.” The list recognizes the Washington region's brightest young business leaders based on demonstrated business success. At Covington, Mr. Zern advises many of the firm’s sports clients on media transactions, finance, and ...

Covington Advises Perella Weinberg on $6B Pactiv-Reynolds Deal

NEW YORK, August 17, 2010 — Pactiv Corporation, a leader in the consumer and foodservice packaging markets, today announced an agreement to be acquired by Reynolds Group Holdings Limited, a global manufacturer and supplier of consumer food and beverage packaging and storage products, in a transaction valued at approximately $6 billion. Covington & Burling LLP ...

Covington Expands Silicon Valley Presence with Three Partners from DC

REDWOOD SHORES, CA, August 9, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP is pleased to announce that three partners from its Washington, D.C. office, Kurt Calia, Emily Henn, and Emily Leonard, have relocated to the Silicon Valley office. Their move will strengthen the link to the firm’s deep regulatory roots as well as further enhance the firm’s transactional and litigation ...

Covington Receives 138 Individual Mentions in 2011 Edition of Best Lawyers

WASHINGTON, DC, August 6, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP received 138 individual mentions in 40 areas of law in the 2011 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: Administrative: ...

Covington Advises The Washington Post Company on Sale of Newsweek

WASHINGTON, DC, August 2, 2010 — The Washington Post Company has today announced its agreement to sell Newsweek to a company owned by Dr. Sidney Harman, the founder and chairman emeritus of Harman International. Covington & Burling LLP advised The Washington Post Company on the transaction. The terms of the sale have not been announced. The Washington and New ...

Covington Lawyers Recognized As Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

SAN FRANCISCO, July 16, 2010 — Eighteen Covington & Burling LLP lawyers are recognized in the 2010 Northern California Super Lawyers. The annual list by Super Lawyers selects only five percent of the total lawyers in the state based upon peer review and the publication’s independent research. Eleven Covington lawyers were named Northern California Super ...

Covington Advises Christopher Cohan in Record $450M Sale of NBA Golden State Warriors

WASHINGTON, DC, July 15, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP is pleased to announce the signing of a Purchase Agreement for the sale of the Golden State Warriors, the NBA franchise based in Oakland, California, to an investor group led by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers Managing Partner Joe Lacob and Mandalay Entertainment Group Chairman Peter Guber. The sale price ...

Chambers USA Recognizes Covington with 112 Individual, 44 Practice Nods

WASHINGTON, DC, June 16, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP received 112 individual mentions and 44 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2010. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...

Covington Again Named to Corporate Board Member’s Top 20

WASHINGTON, DC, May 7, 2010 — For the fifth consecutive year, Covington & Burling LLP has been named to Corporate Board Member’s list of America’s Best Corporate Law Firms. The list of 20 firms is based on a comprehensive survey of directors of publicly traded companies by Corporate Board Member magazine and FTI Consulting. Covington was also again named to the ...

Covington Advises Intercell on Acquisition of Antibody Technology Platform

LONDON, 6 May, 2010 — Intercell AG today announced that it has signed an agreement with Cytos Biotechnology Ltd. to acquire Cytos’ platform technology for monoclonal antibody discovery. The technology is based on expression cloning of monoclonal antibodies from human B-cells and enables the identification of anti-infective antibodies to prevent and treat ...

Covington Advises Foros in $3.4B Interactive Data Corporation Acquisition

NEW YORK, May 4, 2010 — Interactive Data Corporation (IDC), a provider of financial market data, analytics and related solutions, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by investment funds managed by Silver Lake Partners and Warburg Pincus LLC in a transaction with a total value of $3.4 billion. British publishing company ...

Covington Announces Three New Of Counsel

<?xml:namespace prefix="o"?><o:p>WASHINGTON, DC, April 30, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP is pleased to announce the promotion of three lawyers to of counsel.</o:p> <o:p>The new of counsels are as follows:</o:p> <o:p>Natalie Derzko (Washington) practices in the areas of intellectual property, strategic counseling, due diligence, patent prosecution, patent ...

Covington Advises Credit Suisse on $1.6B WuXi PharmaTech Deal

NEW YORK, April 26, 2010 — Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., a global provider of research models and associated services and of preclinical drug development services, and WuXi PharmaTech (Cayman) Inc., a drug research and development outsourcing company with expertise in discovery chemistry and with operations in China and the United States, today ...

Covington Advises Turner Broadcasting on $10.8B NCAA Deal

WASHINGTON, DC, April 23, 2010 — The NCAA has announced a new 14-year television and new media rights agreement with CBS Sports and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., to present the Division I Men's Basketball Championship beginning in 2011 through 2024 for total rights fees of approximately $10.8 billion. As part of the agreement, all games will be shown live ...

Covington Advises Pepco Holdings on $1.7B Sale of Conectiv Energy’s Generation Assets

WASHINGTON, DC, April 21, 2010 — In a statement released today, Pepco Holdings, Inc. announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell the power generation assets of its Conectiv Energy segment to Calpine Corporation for approximately $1.7 billion. Covington & Burling LLP advised Pepco Holdings on the transaction. Pepco Holdings, headquartered in ...

Covington Advises HealthpointCapital Partners on Alphatec Public Stock Offering

NEW YORK, April 21, 2010 — Alphatec Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Alphatec Spine, Inc., completed an underwritten public offering of 18.4 million shares of common stock, consisting of 9.2 million primary shares and 9.2 million shares offered by HealthpointCapital Partners. The net proceeds to HealthpointCapital Partners from the sale of the shares, after ...

Covington Advises Prosper Marketplace on Series D Round

SAN FRANCISCO, April 19, 2010 — Prosper.com, the world’s largest peer-to-peer lending marketplace with nearly one million members and more than 32,000 funded loans totaling over $194 million, announced that it has raised $14.7 million in a Series D round from new investors TomorrowVentures, LLC and CompuCredit Holdings Corporation, and all of Prosper’s existing ...

Covington Advises LIN Television on $200M Senior Notes Offering

WASHINGTON, DC, April 12, 2010 — LIN TV Corp., a local television and multimedia company, has announced the private placement by its wholly owned subsidiary, LIN Television Corporation, of $200 million of its 8 3/8% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “Notes”). Net proceeds from the sale of the Notes are expected to be used to repay outstanding amounts under LIN ...

Scott Smith Named Am Law’s ‘Dealmaker of the Week’

NEW YORK, April 12, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP’s Scott Smith has been named “Dealmaker of the Week” by The Am Law Daily. Mr. Smith, chair of the firm’s M&A and private equity practices, was recognized for advising SandRidge Energy in its acquisition of Arena Resources, a deal that was announced April 4. The other members of the New York and Washington ...

Covington Advises CVG in Merger with Integral Systems

WASHINGTON, DC, March 15, 2010 — CVG, Incorporated (“CVG”) has announced its merger with Integral Systems, Inc. in a deal valued at $34.675 million. Covington & Burling LLP advised CVG on the transaction. CVG and its subsidiary, Avtec systems, Inc., based in Chantilly, Virginia, provide secure satellite-based communication solutions to government and commercial ...

Covington Advises Trinity Equity in Recapitalization of Ricerca Biosciences

NEW YORK, March 9, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP represented Trinity Equity Investments I, LLC, an affiliate of Trinity Equity Investors, LLC, in its March 5 investment in, and recapitalization of, Ricerca Biosciences, LLC, which was completed in connection with Ricerca’s acquisition of the Discovery and Preclinical business of MDS Pharma Services. Covington ...

Covington Advises Greenhill in Coca-Cola Enterprises $13B Deal

NEW YORK, February 25, 2010 — Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. (CCE) announced today a definitive agreement to sell its North American bottling operations to The Coca-Cola Company and to acquire Coca-Cola’s Norway and Sweden bottling businesses in a transaction valued at approximately $13 billion. Covington & Burling LLP advised Greenhill & Co., Inc., financial ...

Covington Acts for Piper Jaffray in a £30M Fundraising by Vernalis

LONDON, February 24, 2010 — Vernalis plc, the London main market listed pharmaceutical company, announced on 11 February the completion of a fully underwritten placing and open offer raising £30 million before expenses. Vernalis proposes to apply most of the proceeds of the fundraising to regain the right to the royalties from Menarini’s sales of frovatriptan by ...

Covington Advises Financial Federal Corporation on $738M Merger with People’s United Financial

NEW YORK, February 22, 2010 — Financial Federal Corporation and People’s United Financial, Inc. have completed the merger of Financial Federal with People’s United in a transaction valued at approximately $738 million. Covington & Burling LLP advised Financial Federal on the transaction. Financial Federal is a financial services company providing collateralized ...

Covington Advises Minster Pharmaceuticals in Recommended Takeover by Proximagen Neuroscience

LONDON, January 15, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP advised Minster Pharmaceuticals plc, the AIM-quoted drug development company specialising in compounds for the treatment of neurological and psychiatric conditions, in its recommended takeover by Proximagen Neuroscience plc. The terms of the all cash offer value Minster at £4.3 million. The Covington team ...

Covington Advises HealthpointCapital on Sale of Scient’x Groupe SAS to Alphatec Holdings

LONDON, December 18, 2009 — Alphatec Holdings, Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire Scient’x Groupe SAS, a spinal implant company based in France. Alphatec Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Alphatec Spine, Inc., is a medical device company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets products for the surgical treatment of spine disorders. ...

Covington Advises J&J on Ethicon’s $785M Acquisition of Acclarent

NEW YORK, December 17, 2009 — Ethicon, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company and a worldwide leader in surgical care, and Acclarent, Inc., a privately held medical technology company dedicated to designing, developing and commercializing devices that address conditions affecting the ear, nose and throat, have announced a definitive merger agreement whereby Ethicon ...

Covington Advises SandRidge Energy on $450M Offering of Senior Notes

WASHINGTON, DC, December 16, 2009 — SandRidge Energy, Inc. has announced the pricing of its private placement of $450 million of 8 3/4% Senior Notes due in 2020. Covington & Burling LLP advised SandRidge on the transaction, as well as the recently announced sales of the company’s preferred and common stock. SandRidge Energy is a natural gas and crude oil ...

Covington to Serve as Counsel to U.S. Olympic Committee Advisory Committee

WASHINGTON, DC, December 11, 2009 — The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) announced the members of the independent Advisory Committee established by USOC’s Board of Directors to assess the USOC's board structure and operations model. The 14-member committee will be chaired by Paul Tagliabue. The committee's members have wide-ranging experience with youth and ...

Covington Advises Trustmark on Equity Issuance, Redemption of TARP Preferred Stock

NEW YORK, December 9, 2009 — Trustmark Corporation completed on December 7, 2009 the issuance of 5.4 million shares of Common Stock, raising gross proceeds of $115 million, in a transaction underwritten by UBS and J.P. Morgan. Today Trustmark announced that it completed the redemption of $215 million of its Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series ...

Covington Advises Perella Weinberg in Talbots Financing Solution

NEW YORK, December 8, 2009 — The Talbots, Inc., a leading international specialty retailer and direct marketer of women’s apparel, shoes and accessories, today announced agreements that in aggregate will reduce Talbots’ debt by approximately $330 million, provide access to a new secured debt facility, and re-establish the company with a strong financial profile ...

Covington Advises SandRidge Energy on Sale of Preferred and Common Stock

WASHINGTON, DC, December 2, 2009 — SandRidge Energy, Inc. has announced that it is selling shares of its preferred and common stock in connection with the planned acquisition of Forest Oil Corporation’s oil and gas properties in the Permian Basin of Texas. Covington & Burling LLP advised SandRidge on the stock transactions. SandRidge Energy is a natural gas and ...

Covington Advises OVP Venture Partners on Fate Therapeutics Financing

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, November 16, 2009 — Fate Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that it has completed a $30 million series B financing led by OVP Venture Partners. Covington & Burling LLP advised OVP on the transaction. Also participating in the financing were ARCH Venture Partners, Polaris Venture Partners and Venrock, which collectively led the company’s series ...

Covington Advises Foros Securities in IMS Health $5.2B LBO Deal

NEW YORK, November 5, 2009 — IMS Health today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by investment funds managed by TPG Capital (TPG) and the CPP Investment Board (CPPIB) in a transaction with a total value of $5.2 billion, including the assumption of debt. Covington & Burling LLP advised Foros Securities LLC, which acted as ...

Covington Advises Charlesbank on Formation of Blacksmith Brands

NEW YORK, NY, November 2, 2009 — Charlesbank Capital Partners, LLC has announced the formation of Blacksmith Brands Inc. with the acquisition of five over-the-counter consumer products brands from McNEIL-PPC, Inc. Covington & Burling LLP advised Charlesbank on the transaction. The brands acquired by Blacksmith include: Efferdent denture cleaner; Effergrip ...

Covington Advises Arginetix on Series A Financing

WASHINGTON, DC, October 2, 2009 — Arginetix, Inc. today announced it has closed a $10.75 million Series A financing. The financing was co-led by Quaker BioVentures and MedImmune Ventures, the latter a wholly owned venture capital fund of the AstraZeneca Group. Maryland Heath Care Product Development Corp., Osage University Partners, Red Abbey Venture Partners, ...

Covington Promotes 10 Lawyers to Partnership

WASHINGTON, DC, October 1, 2009 — Covington & Burling LLP today announced that ten of its lawyers have been elected to the firm’s partnership effective today. The new partners practice in the corporate, litigation, and regulatory fields. The ten new partners and their practices are as follows: Marney Cheek (International) represents companies and trade ...

Covington Advises Boehringer Ingelheim on Acquisition of Animal Health Assets from Pfizer and Wyeth

NEW YORK, September 24, 2009 — Boehringer Ingelheim, and its US animal health business Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., has entered into an agreement with Pfizer to acquire certain assets of Wyeth’s Fort Dodge Animal Health business upon the closing of the global Pfizer-Wyeth merger. Covington & Burling LLP represented Boehringer Ingelheim on the ...

Covington Advises Indian Energy on its AIM IPO

LONDON, September 2, 2009 — Indian Energy, an independent power producer operating wind farms in India, today announced its admission to AIM, raising £9.75 million before expenses through a placing of ordinary shares. Covington & Burling LLP advised Indian Energy on the transaction. Indian Energy is focused on building a portfolio of wind power generating ...

Covington Advises NYFIX Special Committee on Acquisition by NYSE Euronext

WASHINGTON, DC, August 27, 2009 — NYSE Euronext announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire, through its wholly-owned subsidiary NYSE Technologies, Inc, NYFIX, Inc. The total value of the all-cash deal is approximately $144 million. Covington & Burling LLP advised the NYFIX Special Committee on the transaction, which is expected to ...

Covington Advises Procter & Gamble on $3.1B Sale of Global Pharmaceuticals Business to Warner Chilcott

NEW YORK, NY, August 24, 2009 — Procter & Gamble today announced the sale of its global pharmaceuticals business to Warner Chilcott Ltd. Covington & Burling LLP advised Procter & Gamble on the transaction. Procter & Gamble is a leading global branded products company, with one of the strongest portfolios of quality, leadership brands in consumer health and ...

Covington Receives 131 Individual Mentions in 2010 Edition of Best Lawyers

WASHINGTON, DC, August 7, 2009 — Covington & Burling LLP received 131 individual mentions in 38 areas of law in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: Administrative: ...

Covington Advises Medarex on $2.4B Merger with Bristol-Myers Squibb

NEW YORK, NY, July 22, 2009 — Medarex and Bristol-Myers Squibb announced today that Bristol-Myers Squibb entered into an agreement for Bristol-Myers Squibb to acquire all of the outstanding stock and stock equivalents of Medarex for $16.00 in cash per share, or aggregate consideration of $2.4 billion. Covington & Burling LLP advised Medarex on the ...

Covington Advises Snow Phipps on Acquisition of ITSolutions

NEW YORK, NY, July 16, 2009 — Snow Phipps Group, LLC, a private equity firm, announced on July 7 that it had completed the acquisition of ITS Holding Company (ITSolutions), a leading information technology services provider to US government civilian, national security, and intelligence agencies, along with Mr. Stefan Lalos, co-founder and CEO of ITSolutions. ...

Covington Advises Greenhill on Validus’ Acquisition of IPC

NEW YORK, NY, July 9, 2009 — Validus Holdings, Ltd. today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire IPC Holdings, Ltd. for approximately $1.65 billion in cash and Validus voting common shares. The combination will create a leading Bermuda carrier in the short-tail reinsurance and insurance market with $3.4 billion in shareholders’ ...

Covington Again Named to Corporate Board Member's Top 20

WASHINGTON, DC, June 24, 2009 — Covington & Burling LLP has again been named in Corporate Board Member’s annual “top 20” rankings of corporate law firms. The featured list is based on a survey of directors of publicly traded companies by Corporate Board Member magazine and FTI Consulting. Covington was also included in the magazine’s separate “top 20” list based ...

Chambers USA Recognizes Covington With 100 Individual, 40 Practice Nods

WASHINGTON, DC, June 12, 2009 — Covington & Burling LLP received 100 individual mentions and 40 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2009. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...

Covington Advises Merrill Lynch on Johnson & Johnson’s Acquisition of Cougar Biotechnology

NEW YORK, NY, May 22, 2009 — Johnson & Johnson and Cougar Biotechnology, Inc. announced a definitive agreement whereby Cougar Biotechnology will be acquired for approximately $970 million in a cash tender offer. Covington & Burling LLP advised Merrill Lynch, financial advisor to Cougar Biotechnology, on the transaction. Johnson & Johnson engages in the research ...

Covington Acts for Piper Jaffray in a £24m Fundraising by Vernalis

LONDON, May 19, 2009 — Vernalis plc, the London main market listed pharmaceutical company which is developing a pipeline of clinical and early stage programmes, today announced the completion of a placing and open offer raising £24 million before expenses. It proposes to apply the proceeds of the fundraising to fund its clinical development and discovery ...

Covington Expands European Life Sciences Transactions Practice with Daniel Pavin

LONDON, May 14, 2009 — Covington & Burling LLP is pleased to announce the arrival of Daniel Pavin, who joins the firm’s leading European life sciences practice as a partner in London. Mr. Pavin is recognized as a leading life sciences transactional lawyer in the UK and Europe and brings extensive experience in the life sciences and healthcare sectors. He ...

Covington Advises Biotech HepaHope on IPO

WASHINGTON, DC, May 1, 2009 — Covington & Burling LLP advised California-based biotech HepaHope, Inc. on its initial public offering in Germany and Luxembourg and its listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. HepaHope raised a total of $12.6 million from funding activities in connection with the IPO. The offering had to be carefully structured and managed to ...

Covington Advises OptiSolar on $400M Sale of Project Development Business

NEW YORK, NY, April 10, 2009 — First Solar, Inc. has announced the completion of its previously announced acquisition of OptiSolar’s project development business. Covington & Burling LLP advised OptiSolar on the deal. OptiSolar is a California-based independent power producer committed to delivering clean, competitively priced electricity to the power grid from ...

SportsBusiness Journal Again Names Covington’s Zern to ‘Forty Under 40’

WASHINGTON, DC, March 27, 2009 — For the second straight year, Covington & Burling LLP partner Peter Zern has been named to Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal’s “Forty Under 40.” The 10th annual list honors the best and brightest executives in the sports business industry under the age of 40, and is described by the publication as the most coveted award in ...

Covington Advises Sanofi-aventis on Agreement with Æterna Zentaris

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, March 17, 2009 — Sanofi-aventis U.S. and Æterna Zentaris GmbH have signed an agreement for the development, registration and marketing for cetrorelix for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) for the US market. Under the terms of the agreement sanofi-aventis will make upfront and future milestone payments, and Æterna Zentaris ...

Covington Advises Perseus on Convertible Debt Investment in Photomedex

NEW YORK, NY, March 4, 2009 — PhotoMedex, Inc. announced the completion of its acquisition of Photo Therapeutics Limited. PhotoMedex financed the acquisition through a convertible debt investment in PhotoMedex by Perseus Partners VII, L.P., an investment fund managed by Perseus, L.L.C. Covington & Burling LLP advised Perseus on the transaction. Perseus, L.L.C. ...

Covington Advises Borrego Solar on Sale of Residential Division

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, March 2, 2009 — Borrego Solar Systems Inc. and groSolar Inc. announced that they have completed the sale of the residential solar division of Borrego to groSolar. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Covington & Burling LLP advised Borrego on the transaction. Following the sale, Borrego Solar will continue its focus on ...

Covington Advises Borrego Solar in First Round of Venture Financing

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, February 5, 2009 — Covington & Burling LLP advised solar power systems designer and installer Borrego Solar Systems Inc. in a $14 million first round of venture financing from an unnamed publicly traded company. Borrego Solar is a solar electric contractor specializing in commercial, residential and public sector turnkey, grid-connected solar ...

Covington Advises Salix Pharmaceuticals in In-License from Napo Pharmaceuticals

WASHINGTON, DC, December 11, 2008 — Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. announced that it has acquired rights to crofelemer from Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Covington & Burling LLP represented Salix in the deal. Crofelemer currently is being investigated in a Phase 3 study as an anti-diarrheal agent for the treatment of chronic diarrhea in people living with HIV. Salix ...

Covington Advises Memory Pharmaceuticals in Acquisition by Roche

NEW YORK, NY, December 2, 2008 — Roche and Memory Pharmaceuticals have announced a definitive merger agreement for Roche to acquire all the outstanding shares of Memory Pharmaceuticals. Covington & Burling LLP advised Memory Pharmaceuticals on the deal, valued at approximately $50 million. Roche, headquartered in Switzerland, is one of the world’s leading ...

Covington Advises Trustmark on $215 Million Sale to U.S. Treasury

NEW YORK, NY, November 21, 2008 — Trustmark Corporation announced today that it completed the issuance and sale of $215 million of Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, and a Warrant to purchase approximately 1.65 million shares of Trustmark common stock to the U.S. Treasury as part of the government’s Capital Purchase Program. The Capital ...

Covington’s India Practice Recognized by Chambers and Legal 500

WASHINGTON, DC, November 20, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP is pleased to announce that both Chambers Asia 2009 and The Legal 500 Asia Pacific have recognized the firm’s India practice. This is the first time that Covington has been included in either guide for that region. Chambers Asia 2009 recognizes Covington in the Overseas Counsel - Corporate & Finance ...

Covington Advises MPS Global on Acquisition of the Talascend Group

LONDON, October 29, 2008 — MPS Global, LLC, a US-based provider of high-tech engineering, design and IT talent, has acquired UK-based Talascend Group. The Talascend business includes EPCglobal, an international engineering staffing company, which operates exclusively in the engineering and construction industries in the UK, the US, India and Abu Dhabi. Covington ...

Covington Advises UBS in $21.5 Billion Offering of Novel Auction Rate Securities Rights

NEW YORK, NY, October 9, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP advised UBS AG in connection with its recently filed registration statement with the SEC covering $21.5 billion in novel Auction Rate Securities Rights. These Rights were issued by UBS in connection with its settlements with various securities regulators regarding UBS's participation in the auction rate ...

Covington Promotes 12 Lawyers to the Partnership

WASHINGTON, DC, October 1, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP today announced that 12 of its lawyers have been elected to the firm’s partnership. These new partners are resident in four of the firm’s offices and practice in the litigation, corporate/tax, and regulatory fields. Timothy Hester, chair of the firm’s management committee, commented: “These young and ...

Covington Receives 124 Individual Mentions in 2009 Edition of Best Lawyers

WASHINGTON, DC, September 29, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP received 124 individual mentions in 40 areas of law in the 2009 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: Administrative: ...

Covington Advises bioMérieux on AviaraDx Acquisition

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, September 18, 2008 — BioMérieux announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire privately held AviaraDx, Inc. for $60 million. BioMérieux plans to keep AviaraDx as an independent legal entity called bioTheranostics, Inc. Covington & Burling LLP advised bioMérieux on the transaction. BioMérieux, based in France, specializes in the in ...

Covington Advises Merrill Lynch on Getinge’s $865 Million Acquisition of Datascope

NEW YORK, NY, September 16, 2008 — Getinge AB announced today that it will purchase Datascope Corporation for $53 per share or $865 million in cash. Covington & Burling LLP advised Merrill Lynch, financial advisor to Getinge, on the transaction. Getinge is a global medical technology company with operations in the cardiac surgery and vascular surgery markets. ...

Covington Advises Perella Weinberg On $11.7 Billion Sale to Altria Group

NEW YORK, NY, September 8, 2008 — UST Inc. and Altria Group, Inc. today announced an agreement pursuant to which Altria Group will acquire UST. Under the terms of the agreement, shareholders of UST will receive $69.50 in cash for each share of common stock held. The transaction is valued at approximately $11.7 billion, which includes the assumption of ...

Covington Advises Procter & Gamble on Sale of Noxzema

NEW YORK, NY, September 8, 2008 — Alberto-Culver Company announced today that it signed an agreement to acquire the Noxzema skin care brand from The Procter & Gamble Company. The agreement includes the existing business in the United States, Canada and portions of Latin America. Procter & Gamble will continue to operate its existing Noxzema shave care, ...

Covington Advises UBS on $2 Billion Grey Wolf Acquisition

NEW YORK, NY, August 25, 2008 — Grey Wolf, Inc., a US drilling company, and Precision Drilling Trust, a Canadian oil and natural gas drilling company, today announced an agreement to which Precision will acquire Grey Wolf for about $2 billion in cash and stock. Covington & Burling LLP advised UBS Investment Bank, financial advisor to Grey Wolf, on the ...

Covington Advises International Specialty Products on Deal with FMC Corporation

LONDON, August 19, 2008 — International Specialty Products, Inc. (ISP) has completed its previously announced sale of its hydrocolloids ingredients business to FMC Corporation. The London office of Covington & Burling LLP advised ISP on the transaction. ISP is a leading global supplier of specialty chemicals and performance-enhancing products for a wide variety ...

Covington Advises Intercell in Acquisition of Iomai Corporation

WASHINGTON, DC, August 7, 2008 — On August 5, Intercell AG completed its acquisition of Iomai Corporation (now known as Intercell USA, Inc.) in a deal that will create a leading traveler’s vaccine portfolio. Covington & Burling LLP advised Intercell on the transaction. Intercell is a growing biotechnology company which focuses on the design and development of ...

Covington Advises UBS on General Maritime’s Acquisition of Arlington Tankers

NEW YORK, NY, August 6, 2008 — General Maritime Corporation and Arlington Tankers Ltd. jointly announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement whereby the two companies will combine in a stock-for-stock combination. The combination will create a leading publicly traded tanker company with a value of approximately $2 billion. Covington & ...

Covington Advises Gilead Sciences in Agreement to Distribute HIV Medication in 12 Countries

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, August 5, 2008 — Gilead Sciences and Merck & Co., Inc. have entered into an agreement through which Gilead will assume the lead role for the distribution of the HIV medication Atripla(R) in 12 countries located primarily in Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region. Covington & Burling LLP advised Gilead in the agreement. Atripla is the first ...

Covington Advises Washington Post on Acquisition of Miami NBC Station

WASHINGTON, DC, July 18, 2008 — The Washington Post Company has reached an agreement with NBC to acquire WTVJ, the NBC owned and operated television station in Miami, Florida. Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc., a Washington Post Company subsidiary, will continue to operate WTVJ as an NBC affiliate. Covington & Burling LLP advised The Washington Post Company on the ...

Covington Advises Procter & Gamble On Sale of ThermaCare

NEW YORK, NY, July 17, 2008 — Wyeth Consumer Healthcare, a division of Wyeth, announced that it signed an agreement to purchase ThermaCare, a leading over-the-counter heat wrap, from Procter & Gamble. Covington & Burling LLP advised Procter & Gamble on the transaction. Introduced in the United States in 2002, ThermaCare Heat Wraps use heat therapy to relieve ...

Covington Advises AstraZeneca on Agreement With Cubist Pharmaceuticals

WASHINGTON, DC, July 11, 2008 — Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has signed an exclusive agreement with AstraZeneca to promote and provide support in the United States for MERREM® I.V. Covington & Burling LLP advised AstraZeneca on the deal. AstraZeneca, a major international healthcare business, is engaged in the research, development, ...

Covington Advises Coty on Deal with Church & Dwight

NEW YORK, NY, July 9, 2008 — Coty Inc. has completed its previously announced sale of the Orajel brand and other brands of Del Pharmaceuticals to Church & Dwight Co., Inc. for $380 million in cash. Covington & Burling LLP advised Coty on the transaction. Coty is the world’s largest fragrance company with annual sales in excess of $3.5 billion. Church & Dwight ...

Covington Advises UBS on Allied World’s Acquisition of Darwin

NEW YORK, NY, June 30, 2008 — Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, Ltd. and Darwin Professional Underwriters, Inc. announced today a definitive merger agreement whereby Allied World will acquire Darwin for approximately $550 million in cash. Covington & Burling LLP advised UBS Investment Bank, financial advisor to Darwin, on the transaction. Allied World is ...

Corporate Board Member Again Names Covington to Top 20 List

WASHINGTON, DC, June 19, 2008 — For the third straight year, Covington & Burling LLP has been named one of Corporate Board Member’s top 20 corporate law firms. The annual list is based on a survey of directors of publicly traded companies by Corporate Board Member magazine and FTI Consulting. A separate survey of general counsels also ranked Covington as one of ...

Chambers USA Gives Covington 81 Individual, 45 Practice Nods

WASHINGTON, DC, June 16, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP received 81 individual mentions and 45 practice mentions in the newly released 2008 Chambers USA. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington ...

Covington Represents Greenhill in Applera Acquisition

NEW YORK, NY, June 12, 2008 — Invitrogen Corporation and Applera Corporation today announced a definitive merger agreement under which Invitrogen will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Applera’s Applied Biosystems Group in a cash and stock transaction valued at $6.7 billion. Covington & Burling LLP represented Greenhill & Co., which provided a fairness ...

Covington Advises Merrill Lynch in Third Wave Acquisition

NEW YORK, NY, June 11, 2008 — Hologic, Inc. has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Third Wave Technologies, Inc. for approximately $580 million. Covington & Burling LLP advised Merrill Lynch, financial advisor to Third Wave, in the transaction. Third Wave develops and markets molecular diagnostic reagents for a wide variety of DNA and ...

Covington’s Martin Elected President of SEC Historical Society

WASHINGTON, DC, June 5, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP partner David Martin has been elected 2008-09 President of the Board of Trustees of the Securities and Exchange Commission Historical Society. The SEC Historical Society is a non-profit institution, independent of and separate from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which preserves and shares SEC ...

Covington Advises Resource America on Acquisition

NEW YORK, NY, May 19, 2008 — Resource America, Inc. has announced that its subsidiary, Apidos Capital Management, LLC ("Apidos"), has successfully been assigned the management contracts of four Collateralized Loan Obligations (CLOs) totaling approximately $1.3 billion. Covington & Burling LLP advised Resource America and Apidos on the transaction. Resource ...

Covington Expands Technology Transactions Practice With Addition of Nigel Howard

NEW YORK, NY, May 12, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP is pleased to announce that Nigel Howard has joined the firm’s technology transactions practice as a partner. Mr. Howard will be resident in Covington’s New York office. Mr. Howard’s practice focuses on information technology, outsourcing, and intellectual property issues. He represents clients in complex ...

Covington's Corporate Practice Adds Four

NEW YORK, NY, April 30, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP is pleased to welcome four more lawyers to its recently expanded Private Equity Practice. The new members follow the recent arrivals of Covington partner and Private Equity co-chair Timothy Clark and partner Loretta Shaw-Lorello. The new arrivals, who will work alongside Mr. Clark and Ms. Shaw-Lorello in the ...

Covington Advises UBS on $2.9B Grey Wolf Merger

NEW YORK, NY, April 22, 2008 — Grey Wolf, Inc. and Basic Energy Services, Inc. have approved a definitive agreement to combine the two businesses in a “merger of equals.” Based upon closing prices for each company’s common stock as of April 18, the estimated value of the combined company would be $2.9 billion. Covington & Burling LLP advised UBS Investment Bank, ...

Covington Expands Corporate Practice With Addition of Clark and Shaw-Lorello

NEW YORK, NY, April 7, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP is pleased to announce that Timothy Clark and Loretta Shaw-Lorello have joined the firm’s corporate practice as partners. Mr. Clark and Ms. Shaw-Lorello will be resident in the firm’s New York office. Mr. Clark will become co-chair of the firm’s Private Equity Practice. Mr. Clark and Ms. Shaw-Lorello ...

Covington Announces Nine New Counsel

WASHINGTON, DC, April 3, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP has announced the promotion of four new of counsels and five new special counsels in the firm’s five offices. The new of counsels are as follows: Christopher Denig (Washington) focuses on representing clients in complex federal civil litigation (including class actions), internal corporate ...

Covington Advises Pfizer on Acquisition of Serenex

NEW YORK, NY, March 3, 2008 — Pfizer Inc. announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Serenex Inc., a privately held biotechnology company. Covington & Burling LLP advised Pfizer on the transaction. Pfizer, the world’s largest research-based biomedical and pharmaceutical company, discovers and develops innovative medicines to treat and help ...

SportsBusiness Journal Names Covington’s Zern to ‘Forty Under 40’

WASHINGTON, DC, March 3, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP partner Peter Zern has been named to Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal’s “Forty Under 40” Class of 2008, described by the publication as the most coveted award in sports business. The annual list, which first appeared in 1999, honors the best and brightest executives in the sports business industry ...

Covington Advises Encysive on Pfizer Deal

WASHINGTON, DC, February 21, 2008 — Encysive Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced yesterday that it has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Pfizer Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, Pfizer will make a cash tender offer for all issued and outstanding shares of Encysive for $2.35 per share, representing an equity value of approximately $195 million. ...

Covington Advises Schwab Performance Technologies in Deal with Etelligent Consulting

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, February 2, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP advised Schwab Performance Technologies in its acquisition of RIA back office outsourcing provider Etelligent Consulting, Inc. Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. Founded in 1985, Schwab Performance Technologies is a subsidiary of The Charles Schwab Corporation and a leading ...

Covington Advises LX Networks in Deal with NBC Universal’s Local Media Group

WASHINGTON, DC, January 28, 2008 — LX Networks LLC, a leading producer of local television and broadband video programming under the LX.TV name, has been acquired by the NBC Local Media Division of NBC Universal. The announcement was made today. Covington & Burling LLP advised LX Networks in the deal. Founded in 2006 and based in New York, LX’s programming ...

Covington Advises Joy Global in Acquisition of Continental Global

WASHINGTON, DC, January 8, 2008 — Joy Global Inc., a worldwide leader in high-productivity mining solutions, reported today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the stock of NES Investment, Co., the parent holding company of Continental Global Inc. Continental designs, manufactures, installs and services highly engineered bulk material ...

Covington Advises Coty on Completion of Del Laboratories Acquisition

NEW YORK, NY, January 2, 2008 — Coty Inc. has completed its acquisition of DLI Holding Corp., the parent company of Del Laboratories, Inc., one of the leading manufacturers of nail care, cosmetics, personal care, and OTC products. Covington & Burling LLP advised Coty on the transaction.Coty Inc. is the world’s largest fragrance company and a recognized leader in ...

Covington Advises Pfizer in Completion of Coley Pharmaceutical Tender Offer

NEW YORK, NY, January 2, 2008 — Pfizer announced on December 31 that it has completed the cash tender offer for the outstanding shares of common stock of Coley Pharmaceutical Group, Inc., a publicly-held biopharmaceutical company specializing in vaccine adjuvant technology and a new class of immunomodulatory drug candidates designed to fight cancers, allergy and ...

Covington Advises Northwestern University in $700 Million Pharmaceutical Royalty Sale

NEW YORK, NY, December 18, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP advised Northwestern University in the sale of a portion of its worldwide royalty interest in Lyrica® to Royalty Pharma for $700 million in cash. The transaction is the largest sale ever of a royalty stream for a pharmaceutical product. John Gourary, co-head of Covington’s finance practice, together with ...

Covington Advises Global Healthcare Provider BUPA in $775M Acquisition

NEW YORK, NY, December 18, 2007 — BUPA today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Health Dialog. Covington and Burling LLP represented BUPA, Health Dialog’s largest shareholder, in the $775M transaction, which is expected to close in January. BUPA is a global provider of healthcare services and is the largest private health insurer in the ...

Covington Advises Pfizer on Acquisition of CovX

NEW YORK, NY, December 18, 2007 — Pfizer Inc. announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire CovX, a privately-held biotherapeutics company. Covington & Burling LLP advised Pfizer on the transaction. Pfizer, the world’s largest research-based biomedical and pharmaceutical company, discovers and develops innovative medicines to treat and help ...

Covington Advises HIT Entertainment on Launch of Global Children’s Channel

LONDON, December 17, 2007 - Covington & Burling LLP is pleased to announce its role in advising HIT Entertainment, one of the world’s leading children’s entertainment producers and rights owner, on a joint venture with Chellomedia, which currently operates 27 branded TV channels across Europe, to launch JimJam internationally. JimJam is a pre-school children’s ...

Covington Advises E*TRADE Bank in Investment

NEW YORK, NY, November 30, 2007 — E*TRADE FINANCIAL Corporation has announced an agreement that will result in a cash infusion of $2.5 billion. The transaction, led by affiliates of Citadel Investment Group, includes immediate funding of approximately $2.4 billion with the remaining $150 million expected to fund by January 15, 2008. Covington & Burling LLP ...

Washingtonian Magazine Names 19 Covington Attorneys ‘Top Lawyers’

WASHINGTON, DC, November 30, 2007 — Nineteen Covington & Burling LLP attorneys are recognized as “Top Lawyers” in the December 2007 issue of Washingtonian magazine. The list, compiled by the magazine’s editorial staff based on peer recommendations, identifies leading lawyers in the Greater Washington area. Of the “Top Lawyers,” Washingtonian identified 30 as the ...

Covington Advises UBS on VeraSun’s Acquisition of US BioEnergy

NEW YORK, NY, November 29, 2007 — US BioEnergy Corp. and VeraSun Energy Corp. announced today they will combine in an all-stock deal. Under the agreement, 0.81 shares of VeraSun stock will be issued for each outstanding share of US BioEnergy, and the combined company is projected to have a market capitalization of approximately $1.5 billion. Covington & Burling ...

Covington Advises the Venture Capital Arm of GSK on an Investment in Breakthrough Drugs

LONDON, November 26, 2007 - Covington & Burling LLP has advised SR One, the venture capital arm of GSK, on a Series B investment in Syntaxin Ltd, a biopharmaceutical company developing novel biologic drugs that control cell secretion. The round, which was co-led by SR One and Life Science Partners (LSP) with additional funds from one of Syntaxin’s existing ...

Chambers and Legal 500 UK Recommend Covington in 20 Categories

LONDON, November 21, 2007 - This autumn Chambers and Legal 500 UK have recognised the London office of Covington & Burling in a combined 20 categories, praising the firm’s experts for “creative and commercial thinking” and “outstanding expertise” as well as “diversity of skills.” The firm’s London office has also achieved seven individual rankings and a further ...

Covington Advises Merrill Lynch on Celgene’s $2.9 Billion Acquisition of Pharmion

NEW YORK, NY, November 19, 2007 — Celgene Corporation and Pharmion Corporation announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement under which Celgene will acquire Pharmion for approximately $2.9 billion. Covington & Burling LLP advised Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, financial advisor to Celgene, on the transaction, which is expected to ...

Covington Advises Technisource on Spherion Acquisition

NEW YORK, NY, November 16, 2007 — Technisource, Inc. announced it has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by Spherion Corporation for total consideration of $140 million. Covington & Burling LLP advised Technisource on the transaction. Spherion Corporation is a leading recruiting and staffing company that provides integrated solutions to meet the ...

Covington Advises Bank of China, London Branch on the Transfer of its Non-Wholesale Banking Business

LONDON, November 15, 2007 - Covington & Burling LLP is pleased to announce its role in advising Bank of China’s London Branch on the transfer of its UK retail and part of its UK corporate banking business (based in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow) to Bank of China (UK) Ltd. Bank of China (UK) Ltd is a newly established UK bank and a wholly-owned ...

Covington Advises OTE in €2.8B Cash Tender Offer for Outstanding Shares of Cosmote

NEW YORK, NY, November 15, 2007 — Hellenic Telecommunications Organization S.A., the Greek landline telephone company known as OTE that is listed on the Athens, London, and New York stock exchanges, has announced its tender offer for all issued and outstanding shares of Cosmote Mobile Telecommunications S.A., the Greek wireless carrier listed in Athens and ...

Covington Advises Mainfreight on Acquisition of Target Logistics

NEW YORK, NY, November 1, 2007 — Mainfreight Limited has completed its acquisition of AMEX-listed Target Logistics, Inc. in an all-cash transaction. Covington & Burling LLP advised Mainfreight on the transaction. Mainfreight is a global supply chain logistics provider with approximately 3,000 team members based in operations in New Zealand, Australia, Asia, and ...

Covington Advises Fiber Composites on Acquisition of LP’s WeatherBest

NEW YORK, NY, October 30, 2007 — Fiber Composites has completed its previously announced acquisition of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation’s (LP’s) WeatherBest decking and railing business and manufacturing and distribution facility in Meridian, Idaho. Covington & Burling LLP advised Fiber Composites on the transaction. Fiber Composites is a leading manufacturer of ...

Covington Advises Washington Post on CourseAdvisor Acquisition

WASHINGTON, DC, October 15, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP advised The Washington Post Company in its acquisition of CourseAdvisor, Inc. The Washington Post Company is a diversified media and education company whose principal operations include newspaper and magazine publishing, educational and career services, television broadcasting, cable television systems, ...

Covington Advises TouchTunes Music Corporation on White Rabbit Acquisition

NEW YORK, NY, October 12, 2007 — TouchTunes Music Corporation, the largest on-location digital entertainment network, has announced its acquisition of White Rabbit Game Studio, creators of PlayPorTT and developers of portable, on-location game systems. Covington & Burling LLP advised TouchTunes on the transaction. White Rabbit executives and employees will form ...

Covington’s Baxter Elected to National Bankruptcy Conference

WASHINGTON, DC, October 11, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP partner Michael Baxter has been elected a member of the National Bankruptcy Conference. The National Bankruptcy Conference (NBC) is a non-profit organization of approximately 60 lawyers, law professors, and bankruptcy judges who are leading scholars and practitioners in the field of bankruptcy law. The ...

Covington Advises Merrill Lynch on PerkinElmer Deal

NEW YORK, NY, October 1, 2007 — PerkinElmer, Inc. and ViaCell, Inc. today announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which PerkinElmer will acquire ViaCell for approximately $300 million. Covington & Burling LLP advised Merrill Lynch & Co., financial advisor to PerkinElmer, on the transaction, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2007. ...

Covington Elects Six New Partners

WASHINGTON, DC, October 1, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP announced that six of its associates have been elected to the firm’s partnership, effective today. Stuart Stock, chair of the firm’s management committee, commented, “These six outstanding men and women are representative of Covington’s depth and excellence. We are pleased to welcome them to our ...

Covington Recognized in More than Twenty Practice Areas in Inaugural Edition of Legal 500 US

WASHINGTON, DC, September 28, 2007 — In its inaugural year, The Legal 500 US has recognized Covington & Burling LLP’s practice excellence in 23 fields. Compiled in four volumes published in 2007, the Legal 500 US singles out the following practices: Broadcasting and Digital Buyouts: sub-$1b Copyright - regional Copyright Litigation - regional Data ...

Covington Advises Belo Corp. on New Online Media Partnership

WASHINGTON, DC, September 26, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP advised Belo Corp. in a new strategic partnership with Mochila, Inc. whereby Belo will become a premier content syndication partner in the Mochila online content marketplace. In addition, Belo has made an equity investment in Mochila. Covington represented Belo with respect to both the online content ...

Covington Receives 115 Individual Mentions in 2008 Edition of Best Lawyers

WASHINGTON, DC, September 6, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP received 115 individual mentions in 38 areas of law in the 2008 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The recipients are as follows: Administrative: E. Edward Bruce and ...

Covington Advises Perella Weinberg on Lamson & Sessions Acquisition

NEW YORK, NY, August 17, 2007 — Lamson & Sessions announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by Thomas & Betts Corporation for approximately $450 million in cash. Covington & Burling LLP advised Perella Weinberg Partners, financial advisor to Lamson & Sessions, on the transaction. Perella Weinberg Partners is an independent, ...

AIM High: Covington Advises US Biotech Northwest Biotherapeutics on its AIM IPO

LONDON, 7 August, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP announces its role in advising US biotechnology company Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc. on its admission to AIM and £15 million placing, which valued the company at approximately £68 million on a fully-diluted basis. The transaction was particularly complex due to Northwest's quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board in ...

Covington Advises Cenkos Securities on Tanfield Group’s £115 million placing

LONDON, 7 August, 2007 - Covington & Burling LLP acted for Cenkos Securities plc in its role as nominated adviser and joint broker to Tanfield Group Plc in Tanfield’s £115 million placing of ordinary shares. Tanfield, the AIM-listed manufacturer of zero emission electric vehicles and aerial work platforms, will use part of the proceeds from the placing to fund ...

Covington Advises Goodyear in $1.475 Billion Transaction

NEW YORK, NY, August 1, 2007 — The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and The Carlyle Group announced today that The Carlyle Group has completed its acquisition of Goodyear’s engineered products division for $1.475 billion. Covington & Burling LLP advised Goodyear in the transaction, which was announced on March 23, 2007. Goodyear is the world's largest tire ...

Covington Advises UBS on Ryerson Acquisition

NEW YORK, NY, July 24, 2007 — Ryerson Inc. announced today that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by Platinum Equity, a leading private equity firm, in a transaction valued at approximately $2 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, an affiliate of Platinum Equity will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Ryerson common and ...

Covington Advises Moscow CableCom Special Committee in Merger with Renova Media

NEW YORK, NY, July 19, 2007 — Moscow CableCom Corp. and Renova Media Enterprises Ltd. jointly announced today that they have completed the previously announced merger under the terms of which Renova Media, the largest holder of Moscow CableCom’s voting securities, has acquired all of the equity securities of Moscow CableCom that it did not previously own. ...

Covington Advises GSI and Charlesbank on Centerbridge Partners Acquisition

NEW YORK, NY, June 26, 2007 — The GSI Group, Inc. announced that its parent company, GSI Holdings Corp., which is controlled by Charlesbank Capital Partners, has entered into an agreement pursuant to which affiliates of Centerbridge Partners, L.P. will acquire a majority stake. Covington & Burling LLP advised The GSI Group and Charlesbank Capital Partners on the ...

Covington Receives 44 Practice, 74 Individual Mentions in 2007 Chambers USA Guide

WASHINGTON, DC, June 18, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP received 44 practice mentions and 74 individual mentions in the newly released 2007 Chambers USA guidebook. The 2007 edition of Chambers USA attempts to identify the most skilled legal practitioners throughout the country based on the qualities most valued by clients. Covington attorneys have been ...

Covington Represents Greenhill in Ceridian Acquisition

NEW YORK, NY, May 31, 2007 — Ceridian Corporation, Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. ("THL Partners") and Fidelity National Financial, Inc. announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Ceridian will be jointly acquired by THL Partners and FNF in an all cash transaction valued at approximately $5.3 billion. Covington & Burling LLP ...

Covington Advises UBS on Atlas Energy Deal

NEW YORK, NY, May 21, 2007 — Atlas Energy Resources, LLC announced that it has signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire DTE Gas & Oil Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of DTE Energy Company, for $1.225 billion in cash. Covington & Burling LLP advised UBS Investment Bank, financial advisor to Atlas Energy, on the transaction, which is expected to close ...

Covington Advises Procter & Gamble in Consumer Diagnostic Products Joint Venture with Inverness

NEW YORK, NY, May 18, 2007 — The Procter & Gamble Company and Inverness Medical Innovations, Inc. announced that they have completed their previously announced deal to form a 50/50 joint venture for the development, manufacturing, marketing and sale of existing and to-be-developed consumer diagnostic products. Inverness contributed its related consumer ...

Covington Advises on US$925m India-Based Project Financings

LONDON, 8 May, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP today announced its role in advising ICICI Bank Limited, India’s 2nd largest bank, and Standard Chartered Bank, India’s largest international bank, as joint lead arrangers for an aggregate of US$925m in project financings supporting two separate projects being undertaken separately by Reliance Ports and Terminals ...

Covington Represents Pfizer in Collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, April 26, 2007 — Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Pfizer Inc. today announced a worldwide collaboration to develop and commercialize apixaban, an anticoagulant discovered by Bristol-Myers Squibb being studied for the prevention and treatment of a broad range of venous and arterial thrombotic conditions. In a separate agreement, the companies ...

Covington Advises Perella Weinberg on OMI Deal

NEW YORK, NY, April 18, 2007 — Teekay Shipping Corporation, A/S Dampskibsselskabet TORM, and OMI Corporation announced that Teekay and TORM have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire OMI for $2.2 billion or $29.25 per share in cash. Covington & Burling LLP advised Perella Weinberg Partners, financial advisor to OMI, on the transaction. Teekay and TORM ...

Covington Advises UBS on Innkeepers Deal

NEW YORK, NY, April 18, 2007 — Innkeepers USA Trust announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Apollo Investment Corporation for $1.5 billion or $17.75 per share in cash. Covington & Burling LLP advised UBS Investment Bank, financial advisor to Innkeepers, on the transaction, which is expected to close in the second quarter of ...

Covington Advises Greenhill in Sallie Mae Deal

NEW YORK, NY, April 16, 2007 — Sallie Mae announced today its $25 billion sale to private equity firms, JC Flowers and Friedman, Fleischer & Lowe who combined for the acquisition with JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America. Covington & Burling LLP represented Greenhill & Co., financial advisor to the Special Committee of Sallie Mae, in the deal. The Covington team ...

Covington Advises Thomson Corporation on Sale of Medical Education Business

NEW YORK, NY, April 16, 2007 — The Thomson Corporation closed the sale of its Thomson Medical Education business to ABRY Partners, a Boston based private equity firm. Covington & Burling LLP advised The Thomson Corporation on the transaction. The Thomson Corporation is a leading global provider of integrated information-based solutions to business and ...

Covington Advises Management of Boart Longyear on A$2.75 Billion Australian IPO

NEW YORK, NY, April 12, 2007 — Boart Longyear Group announced that it has completed its Australian initial public offering for A$2.75 billion, which was Australia’s largest IPO in nine years. The final price of shares was A$1.85. Boart Longyear expects normal trading of its shares to commence on April 16, 2007. Covington & Burling LLP advised the management ...

Covington Announces Ten New Counsel

WASHINGTON, DC, April 3, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP has announced the promotion of four new Of Counsel and six new Special Counsel.The four new Of Counsel are Daniel P. Cooper, Christian Neira, Matthew J. O’Connor, and Kevin J. Shortill.Daniel P. Cooper advises on European privacy and data protection matters, as well as on contentious and non-contentious ...

Covington Represents Cowen in Leveraged Recapitalization of Ricerca Biosciences

New York, NY, March 15, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP represented Cowen Capital Partners LLC in its March 8 leveraged recapitalization of Ricerca Biosciences, LLC, including new equity and term facilities approaching US $50 million. Covington has represented Cowen in all of its prior investments in Ricerca Biosciences dating back to 2000.Ricerca Biosciences is ...

Covington Advises Major League Baseball on Launch of MLB Channel

WASHINGTON, DC, March 8, 2007 — Major League Baseball announced the launch of the MLB Channel today in connection with its seven-year agreement with DIRECTV to carry the MLB EXTRA INNINGS subscription package of out-of-market games. DIRECTV will be a minority partner in the MLB Channel, and will work with MLB to develop the new network. Scheduled to launch in ...

Covington Advises KKR and Texas Pacific on TXU Corp. LBO

WASHINGTON, DC, February 26, 2007 — Private equity firms Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) and Texas Pacific Group (TPG) announced today that they have agreed to acquire Texas power company TXU Corp. for $45 billion. Covington & Burling LLP advised KKR and TPG on environmental, regulatory, and other governmental and public policy aspects of the transaction, ...

Covington Advises Bear Stearns in $1.4B Equifax Acquisition

NEW YORK, NY, February 16, 2007 — Equifax Inc. and TALX Corporation announced on February 14, 2007 that Equifax will acquire TALX in a stock and cash transaction valued at approximately $1.4 billion, including the assumption of debt. Covington & Burling LLP advised Bear Stearns & Co. in the deal, which is expected to close in the late second or early third ...

Covington Advises Pfizer in Acquisition of BioRexis

NEW YORK, NY, February 1, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP advised Pfizer in the acquisition of BioRexis, a privately held biopharmaceutical company. The transaction is expected to close in the first or second quarter of 2007. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.BioRexis is developing long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonists for the potential ...

Covington Advises Goldman Sachs and UBS in AbitibiBowater Deal

WASHINGTON, DC, January 29, 2007 — Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. and Bowater Inc. announced today they will combine in an all-stock deal that would create the third largest publicly traded paper and forest products company in North America. Covington & Burling LLP represented Goldman Sachs and UBS in the deal. Goldman Sachs and UBS served as financial advisors to ...

Covington Advises Coty in Sale of Calgon and Healing Garden Brands

NEW YORK, NY, January 22, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP advised Coty Inc. in its $125 million sale of the Calgon® and healing garden® brands, the number one and two brands respectively in the specialty bath sector, to Ascendia Brands, Inc. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2007.Coty Inc. is the world’s largest fragrance company with ...

Covington Advises Barclays on Naming Rights Deal

WASHINGTON, DC, January 19, 2007 — Barclays has announced that it will pay an undisclosed amount for naming rights to the new Barclays Center located in Brooklyn, New York for a term of 20 years. Covington & Burling LLP advised Barclays on the transaction.The new Barclays Center is the core feature of the Frank Gehry designed $4 billion Atlantic Yards ...

Covington Advises Oregon Steel in $2.3 Billion Acquisition by Evraz Group

NEW YORK, NY, January 17, 2007 — Evraz Group S.A. announced that it successfully completed its tender offer for Oregon Steel Mills, Inc. (NYSE: OS) common stock for $63.25 per share, with approximately 91.5% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Oregon Steel Mills tendered into the offer. The tender offer was the first step of the previously announced ...

Covington Advises Cowen in Formation of New Healthcare Private Equity Initiative

NEW YORK, NY, January 8, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP advised Cowen Group, Inc. in the creation of Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners, a alternative asset management fund, and in the negotiation of employment and equity arrangements with its three principals, Dr. Gregory B. Brown, Todd C. Davis, and Clarke B. Futch, who will execute the initiative.Cowen ...

Dianne Coffino and Ben Hoch Join Covington’s Corporate Reorganization and Bankruptcy Practice; Jack Bodner Joins Covington’s Mergers and Acquisitions Practice

NEW YORK, NY, December 19, 2006 — Covington & Burling LLP announced today that Jack Bodner, Dianne Coffino, and Ben Hoch have joined the firm as partners. Ms. Coffino and Mr. Hoch join Covington’s corporate restructuring and bankruptcy practice group, and Mr. Bodner joins Covington’s mergers and acquisitions group. All three will be resident in the firm’s New ...

Covington Advises Washington Post in Sale of Tech Media Assets to 1105 Media

WASHINGTON, DC, December 8, 2006 — The Washington Post Company and 1105 Media, Inc. announced today that they have reached an agreement under which 1105 Media will acquire The Post’s government publishing and events group, which is known as Post Newsweek Tech Media. Post Newsweek Tech Media includes Government Computer News, Washington Technology, Government ...

Covington Advises Diamond Castle Holdings in Acquisition of Bluestone Television

WASHINGTON, DC, November 15, 2006 — An affiliate of Diamond Castle Holdings LLC announced the acquisition of BlueStone Television LLC for $230 million. Covington represented and advised Diamond Castle with respect to the FCC and broadcast industry aspects of the transaction, which is expected to close in the first half of 2007. Diamond Castle is a New York based ...

Covington Advises Abbott Laboratories in $3.7 Billion Acquisition of Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

NEW YORK, NY, November 6, 2006 — Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) announced the acquisition of Kos Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: KOSP) through a cash tender offer of $78.00 per common share, or $3.7 billion. Covington & Burling LLP represented Abbott in the transaction. Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, ...

Covington Advises JLG Industries in $3.2 Billion Merger into Oshkosh Truck Corporation

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 16, 2006 — The board of directors of JLG Industries, Inc. (NYSE: JLG) has approved an all cash offer of $28.00 per common share to merge with, and become, a subsidiary of Oshkosh Truck Corporation (NYSE: OSK). According to JLG’s press release, the $3.2 billion merger is dependent on the approval of JLG shareholders. The transaction is ...

Covington Advises Hanesbrands in Spin-Off from Sara Lee

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1"?><st1:state w:st="on">WASHINGTON</st1:state>, D.C., September 29, 2006 — <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Covington</st1:place></st1:city> represented Hanesbrands Inc. in its recent spin-off from the Sara Lee Corporation. Hanesbrands began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol HBI on September 6. ...

Covington Represents Olmeca Investments and Nautilus Gibraltar in Sale of Stock of Cablemás

NEW YORK, NY, September 26, 2006 — Covington & Burling LLP represented financial investors Olmeca Investments B.V. and Nautilus Gibraltar, SPRL in connection with their agreement to sell their stake in Cablemás, S.A. de C.V., the second largest cable television operator in México, to the founding family of Cablemás. The transaction is expected to close by ...

Covington Represents Eisai In $205 Million Acquisition of Four Oncology-Related Products

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 13, 2006 — Covington represented both Eisai Co., Ltd. and Eisai Inc. in the recent $205 million product acquisition agreement with Ligand Pharmaceuticals. Eisai obtained exclusive global rights to four products, including ONTAK®, Targretin® capsules, Targretin® 1% gel and Panretin® 0.1% gel. This acquisition will help to ...

Covington advises Novartis Vaccines on New Flu Cell Culture Facility Intended to Produce Vaccine for Influenza Including Avian or "Bird" Flu

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 25, 2006 - Covington advised Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Inc. (successor to Chiron Corporation) in its plans to locate, construct and operate a cell culture-derived influenza vaccines manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina. The facility, slated to be the first of its kind in the United States, should ...

Covington Advises Procter & Gamble in Alliance with ARYx Therapeutics

SAN FRANCISCO, July 20, 2006 - The San Francisco office of Covington & Burling LLP advised Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a division of The Procter & Gamble Company, in its strategic alliance with ARYx Therapeutics, a private drug discovery and development company based in Fremont, CA. Under the terms of the agreement, P&G will develop and ...

Covington Advises Ocean Spray in Alliance with PepsiCo

NEW YORK, July 19, 2006 - Covington & Burling LLP advised Ocean Spray in its long-term strategic alliance with Pepsi-Cola North America. Under the alliance, PepsiCo will begin marketing, bottling, and distributing single-serve cranberry juice products in the U.S. and Canada under the Ocean Spray name starting in 2007. Ocean Spray is an agricultural ...

Covington Advises Société Générale, Cowen in Private Equity Deal

NEW YORK, NY, July 10, 2006 - Covington & Burling LLP advised Société Générale and SG Cowen & Co., LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of SG, in the private sale of the portfolio companies in the SG Merchant Banking Fund to a new fund sponsored by Paul Capital Partners. The Covington team included Scott Smith, J. D. Weinberg, Peter Bognadow, Rob Heller (tax), ...

Covington Advises Kerr-McGee in $18 Billion Merger into Anadarko

NEW YORK, June 23, 2006 - The board of directors of Kerr-McGee Corp. (NYSE: KMG) has approved an all cash offer of $70.50 per common share to merge into Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: APC). According to Kerr-McGee's press release , the $18 billion merger is dependent on the approval of Kerr-McGee stockholders. It is expected to be finalized by the end of ...

Chambers USA Recognizes 50 Covington Lawyers in 27 Fields

WASHINGTON, DC, June 5, 2006 - Fifty Covington & Burling lawyers practicing in 27 fields and in each of the firm's US offices were recognized as "leaders in their field" in this year's edition of Chambers USA - America's Leading Business Lawyers. The 2006 edition of Chambers USA, which was released June 2, 2006, attempts to identify the most skilled legal ...

Covington Advises Kangaroo TV(TM) in deal with Formula One Management

LONDON, May 25, 2006 - Kangaroo Media Inc. and Formula One Management Limited announced yesterday that they have entered into a six-year licence agreement to provide fans at all Formula OneTM events with access to live race video, audio and data on Kangaroo Media's unique Kangaroo TVTM hand-held device. Covington & Burling's team that advised Kangaroo Media was ...

Covington Advises AudioCodes in $85 Mil Acquisition of Nuera Communications

NEW YORK, NY, May 17, 2006 - Covington & Burling advised AudioCodes in its agreement to acquire Nuera Communications. The transaction will consist of payment of $85 million in cash to the stockholders of Nuera, subject to reduction for certain expenses, plus an earn out arrangement under which AudioCodes has agreed to pay up to an additional $5 million if ...

Covington Advises Perseus in SeaMobile's Acquisition of MTN

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 15, 2006 - Covington represented Perseus, LLC in SeaMobile's acquisition of Maritime Telecommunications Network, Inc. (MTN). MTN was a portfolio company of Perseus, LLC, a private equity fund management company based in Washington, DC and New York City. SeaMobile, based in Seattle and founded in 2005, provides wireless voice, data and ...

Covington Advises Baltic Oil Terminals on its listing on AIM

LONDON, April 20, 2006 - Covington & Burling has advised Baltic Oil Terminals (Baltic) on its £31.4 million placing and listing on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market. Baltic, a London-based company, has been established to invest in oil infrastructure projects and upstream activities in Russia and other countries in the former Soviet Union.Baltic will raise ...

Covington Advises Pfizer in Acquisition of Rinat Neuroscience

NEW YORK, NY, April 18, 2006 - Covington advised Pfizer Inc. in the acquisition of Rinat Neuroscience Corp., a privately held biotechnology company. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.Rinat discovers, develops, and commercializes protein therapeutics for diseases and disorders of the nervous system. Rinat is working on a potential new ...

Covington Advises Beverly Enterprises, Inc. in $2.2B Acquisition by Pearl Senior Care

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 15, 2006 - Covington advised the independent directors of Beverly Enterprises, Inc. (BEI) in its $2.2 billion acquisition by Pearl Senior Care, an affiliate of Fillmore Capital Partners, LLC. Pearl Senior Care replaced North American Senior Care (NASC), a company formed by a group of private investors, in November 2005, when NASC could ...

Covington Advises Beverly Enterprises, Inc. in $2.2B Acquisition by Pearl Senior Care

Peter Cooke, Leading Employment Lawyer, Joins Covington

LONDON, UK, February 20, 2006 - Covington & Burling announced today that Peter Cooke has joined the firm as of counsel and will lead Covington's European Employment Law Group. Mr. Cooke is resident in the firm's London office. Mr. Cooke has experience advising on the employment law aspects of acquisitions, outsourcing and other corporate transactions, employee ...

Covington Advises Sony NetServices on Partnership with Vodafone to Offer "Radio DJ" Service

LONDON, January 20, 2006 - Leading international law firm Covington & Burling advised Sony NetServices on its partnership to offer a 3G mobile music service to Vodafone customers in more than 20 countries. The cutting edge subscription service, called Vodafone Radio DJ, allows customers to listen to interactive, personalized radio channels streamed to both ...

Covington Represented AstraZeneca in Collaboration Agreement with Targacept

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 19, 2006 - Covington & Burling represented AstraZeneca AB in its recent global licensing and research collaboration agreement with Targacept Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, which is subject to the expiration or termination of the HSR (Hart Scott Rodino) clearance period in the US, AstraZeneca will obtain the global rights for ...

Covington Advises Perseus LLC in Workflow Management Inc.'s Acquisition of The Relizon Company

NEW YORK, NY, December 22, 2005 - Covington represented Perseus LLC, in Workflow Management Inc.'s acquisition of The Relizon Company. Workflow is a portfolio company of Perseus, a merchant bank and private equity fund management company. Workflow Management Inc. is the parent company of WorkflowOne, United Envelope, and Freedom Graphics. Its acquisition of ...

Covington Advises Kerr-McGee Spin-off, Tronox Inc., in IPO and Related Debt Financings

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 9, 2005 - Covington & Burling represented Tronox Inc. in the completion of its initial public offering and related debt financings valued at approximately $800 million. Tronox's IPO involved 17,480,000 shares of its Class A common stock and approximate gross proceeds of $245 million. Covington also advised on related debt ...

Covington & Burling Advises Charlesbank on Zenith Products Acquisition

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 9, 2005 - Covington & Burling advised Charlesbank Capital Partners, LLC, a leading middle-market private equity investment firm, on its acquisition of Zenith Products from Masco Corporation. Zenith is a leading designer and manufacturer of bathroom storage products and accessories for the retail market. The transaction was funded ...

Covington Advises JLG in Global Alliance with Caterpillar

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 27, 2005 - Covington & Burling represented JLG Industries, Inc. in its global alliance with Caterpillar Inc., the Illinois-based manufacturer of construction and mining equipment. Under the multi-faceted alliance, JLG will purchase Caterpillar's telehandler assets located principally in Europe and develop and manufacture a full line ...

Covington & Burling Advises Medarex on Biotechnology Acquisition

LONDON, UK, October 14, 2005 - Covington & Burling assisted Medarex, the biopharmaceutical company focused on human antibody-based therapeutics to treat life-threatening and debilitating diseases, on the acquisition by its subsidiary Celldex Therapeutics Limited of privately held biotechnology company, Lorantis Ltd. Celldex will acquire Lorantis for 6.8 ...

Covington & Burling Announces Ten New Partners

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 3, 2005 - Covington & Burling announced the election of ten new partners, effective October 1. Stuart Stock, chair of the firm's management committee, commented: "These exceptional lawyers reflect the strength, excellence and diversity of the firm, and the continuing growth of our practices across the firm." Covington's newest partners ...

Covington Advises BUPA in Acquisition of Latin American and Caribbean Businesses

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 19, 2005 - Covington & Burling advised British United Provident Association (BUPA) in its acquisition of AMEDEX Insurance Company, a US-based insurer with headquarters in Miami and operations throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. AMEDEX insures over 100,000 people in 42 countries. The terms of the transaction, which closed ...

Covington Advises Certegy Board on Fidelity Transaction

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 15, 2005 - Covington & Burling represented the Board of Directors of Certegy, Inc. in its merger agreement with Fidelity National Information Services (FIS), a subsidiary of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. The transaction will combine operations to form a single publicly traded entity. According to the terms of the agreement, ...

The Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 46 Covington Lawyers

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 13, 2005 - Forty-six Covington & Burling lawyers practicing in 27 fields were recognized in the 2006 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. The number of Covington lawyers listed increased by over 40% from the last edition. This biennial compilation of top U.S. lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide ...

Covington Advises Perseus on $212 Million Haggar Transaction

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 1, 2005 - Covington & Burling advised Perseus LLC, a merchant bank and private equity fund management company, in the acquisition of Dallas-based clothing maker Haggar Corp. Perseus, along with Infinity Associates LLC and Symphony Holdings Limited, acquired Haggar in a transaction valued at approximately $212 million. According to ...

Covington Advises Mexico's Grupo Editorial Expansión in Acquisition by Time, Inc.

NEW YORK, NY, August 22, 2005 — Covington & Burling advised Grupo Editorial Expansión (GEE) and its parent, Grupo Editorial Medcom (Medcom), in connection with the acquisition of GEE by Time, Inc. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. GEE is the premier publisher of high-end consumer and business magazines in Mexico. Its portfolio of 15 titles ...

Covington Advises Emory University in $540 Million Pharmaceutical Royalty Sale

NEW YORK, NY, July 21, 2005 - Covington & Burling advised Emory University in the sale of its emtricitabine royalty interest to Gilead Sciences and Royalty Pharma for $540 million. The royalty interest was sold through means of an auction run by Citigroup Global Markets, financial advisor to Emory University, and is the largest known sale of a royalty stream ...

Covington Clients Successfully Challenge British Aviation Insurance Company Ltd.'s Solvent Scheme of Arrangement

Washington, D.C., July 21, 2005 - London Market insurance companies facing asbestos, pollution, and other long-tail claim liabilities to U.S. policyholders under decades of occurrence policies have increasingly turned to solvent schemes of arrangement under Section 425 of the English Companies Act 1985 in an effort to cut off their future liabilities to ...

Chambers USA Recognizes 29 Covington Lawyers

Washington, D.C., June 28, 2005 - Twenty-nine Covington & Burling lawyers practicing in fourteen fields and in each of the firm's U.S. offices were recognized as "leaders in their field" in this year's edition of Chambers USA - America's Leading Business Lawyers. The 2005 edition of Chambers USA, which was released online earlier today, attempts to identify the ...

Covington Advises Coty on $800 Million Acquisition of UCI

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 20, 2005 - Covington & Burling advised Coty Inc. on the acquisition of Unilever's global prestige fragrance business, Unilever Cosmetics International (UCI). According to the terms of the agreement, Coty will purchase the business for $800 million in cash at the closing. Coty Inc. is one of the largest beauty companies in the world, with ...

Covington Advises Mobile Satellite Ventures and TerreStar in $200M Financing

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 11, 2005 - Covington & Burling advised Mobile Satellite Ventures and TerreStar Networks Inc. in connection with a recently announced private equity deal. According to the terms of the transaction, Motient Corp., an owner of MSV, purchased $200 million of TerreStar's common stock. After the deal, Motient Corp. will own approximately 61% ...

Covington Advises UBS on $9 Billion Duke Energy Transaction

NEW YORK, NY, May 10, 2005 - Covington & Burling represented UBS as financial advisor to Duke Energy Corp. in its recently announced merger agreement with Cinergy Corp. The all stock transaction is valued at about $9 billion, with each common share of Cinergy converting to 1.56 shares of Duke Energy. The newly formed company, called Duke Energy Corporation, ...

Covington Litigator Robert Wick Named to The National Law Journal's 40 Under 40 List

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 4, 2005 - Covington & Burling partner Robert D. Wick was recognized as one of the top "40 Under 40" lawyers in this week's edition of The National Law Journal. Mr. Wick, resident in Washington, D.C., serves as vice chair of Covington's 200-strong litigation practice group. Mr. Wick was noted for his role in several significant litigation ...

Covington Advises NFL With Long-Term Television Packages

Negotiations Culminate in NBC Return to NFL Broadcaster Lineup; Monday Night Football Moving to ESPN with Earlier Kickoff; Sunday Afternoon Partners CBS and FOX Renewing Agreements Washington, DC, April 19, 2005 -- A team of Covington & Burling lawyers advised the NFL in the strategic planning, development, negotiation and implementation of the League's ...

Covington Advises Kerr-McGee in $4 Billion Stock Tender Offer

NEW YORK, NY, April 14, 2005 - Kerr-McGee Corporation announced today its intention to repurchase up to $4 billion of common stock through a modified "Dutch Auction" tender offer. Covington advised Kerr-McGee on this matter.Kerr-McGee has also obtained commitments from JP Morgan and Lehman Brothers, Inc., which will be used to finance the tender offer and ...

Covington Advises Pantheon on £87.5 Million Share Placing

LONDON, UK, March 31, 2005 - International law firm Covington & Burling has advised Pantheon International Participations PLC ("PIP"), an investment trust company and the longest-established private equity fund of funds traded on the London Stock Exchange, on its £87.5 million placing of new redeemable shares by Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein Securities with ...

Covington Advises JLG Industries in Common Stock Offering

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 17, 2005 - Covington & Burling represented JLG Industries, Inc. (NYSE: JLG) in its underwritten offering of 5,750,000 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $21.97 per share. JLG will use a portion of the approximately $120 million in net proceeds to redeem $61.25 million in principal amount of the Company's 8-3/8% Senior ...

Covington Advises Reliance Infocomm Limited in $750m Financing

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 14, 2005 - Covington & Burling advised Reliance Infocomm Limited in connection with its $750 million financing from the Export-Import Bank of the United States and Export Development Canada. The financing was provided to assist Reliance Infocomm in building a state of the art telecommunications infrastructure for India -- the largest ...

Covington Advises Pfizer in Acquisition of Idun

NEW YORK, NY, February 25, 2005 - Covington & Burling represented Pfizer, Inc. in its agreement to acquire Idun Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The acquisition of Idun, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of therapies to control apoptosis, is expected to close during the second quarter of the year. "The acquisition of Idun is a further ...

Covington Advises ATD, Charlesbank in Private Equity Deal

NEW YORK, NY, February 9, 2005 - Covington & Burling advised American Tire Distributors, Inc. and its majority shareholder, Charlesbank Capital Partners, LLC, in an agreement under which Investcorp, a global investment group, will purchase ATD from Charlesbank. American Tire Distributors is the leading national distributor of tires to the replacement tire ...

Covington Advises Washington Post in Acquisition of Slate

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 22, 2004 - Covington & Burling advised The Washington Post Company on its agreement with Microsoft Corp. to acquire Slate, the pioneering online magazine. Slate Magazine, which appears on the MSN webpage, has been owned and operated by Microsoft since its launch in 1996. Under the terms of the deal, Washingtonpost.Newsweek ...

Covington Advises King Pharmaceuticals in Sale of Prefest® to Barr Subsidiary

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 30, 2004 - Covington & Burling recently assisted King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: KG) in its sale to Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a subsidiary of Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: BRL), of the exclusive rights in the United States for Prefest® (estradiol/norgestimate) Tablets. The sale price was approximately $15 million. King ...

Covington Advises Medarex in Collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 11, 2004 - Covington & Burling recently assisted Medarex, Inc.(Nasdaq: MEDX) in its worldwide collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY). The agreement allows the two companies to jointly develop and commercialize MDX-010, an antibody product that is currently in a Phase III clinical trial for the treatment of metastatic ...

Covington advises Pantheon International Participations PLC on £123 million capital restructuring

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, September 29, 2004 - Covington & Burling advised Pantheon International Participations PLC ("PIP"), an investment trust and the longest established private equity fund of funds quoted on the London Stock Exchange, on the conversion of its £123 million debt held as participating loan notes into new redeemable and ordinary shares. The ...

Covington Advises Medarex in Collaboration with Pfizer

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 28, 2004 - Covington & Burling recently assisted Medarex, Inc. (Nasdaq: MEDX) in its global collaboration with Pfizer, Inc. (NYSE: PFE). The agreement allows the two companies to develop as many as 50 antibody products over the next ten years and cross-licenses particular patents for Medarex's anti-CTLA-4 antibody programs. ...

Covington Assists Thomson in Acquisition of Information Holdings

NEW YORK, NY, July 7, 2004 - Covington & Burling represented The Thomson Corporation ("Thomson"), a global leader in information solutions, in its merger agreement with Information Holdings Inc. ("IHI"). The merger with IHI, a company that specializes in intellectual property and regulatory information, will strengthen Thomson's Scientific and Healthcare ...

Kerr-McGee and Westport Resources Complete Merger

NEW YORK, NY, June 29, 2004 - The stockholders of Kerr-McGee Corp. (NYSE: KMG) and Westport Resources Corp. (NYSE: WRC) approved the merger of the companies on June 25, 2004 during special meetings of the stockholders of each company. The transaction now has been completed. Covington & Burling represented Kerr-McGee Corp., an Oklahoma City-based oil and ...

Covington Advises Cysive, Inc. in its Going Private Transaction

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 17, 2003 - Covington & Burling represented Cysive, Inc. ("Cysive"), a provider of interaction server technology, in its going private transaction that was consummated on December 1, 2003. Cysive was acquired by Snowbird Holdings, Inc. ("Snowbird"), a newly formed entity owned by Nelson A. Carbonell, Jr., Chairman of the Board of ...

Covington & Burling Announces Five New Partners

October 2, 2003 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - Covington & Burling announced the election of five new partners, effective October 1, 2003. "These fine individuals and lawyers, who very much represent the future of our firm, reflect the firm's strengths and diversity, coming as they do from four of the firm's five offices and ranging across our corporate, life sciences, ...

Edward Britton Relocates to Support Growth of Covington & Burling's European Corporate Practice

September 10, 2003 - LONDON, U.K. - Multinational law firm Covington & Burling announces that Edward Britton, corporate partner, has relocated from the firm's Washington D.C. office to its London office as part of the firm's expansion of its European corporate law practice. "Edward brings additional cross-border experience to our London corporate team, having ...

Covington Advises Computer Associates on Rule 144A Offering of Convertible Senior Notes and Simultaneous Purchase of Call Spread Repurchase Options

December 18, 2002 - NEW YORK, NY - Covington & Burling represented Computer Associates on its issuance of $460 million principal amount of Convertible Senior Notes due 2009 through a private offering to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A and offshore under Regulation S. Concurrently with the issuance of the notes, CA purchased call spread repurchase ...

Covington Advises USA Interactive on $750 Million Debt Securities Issuance

December 12, 2002 - NEW YORK, NY - Covington & Burling's New York office advised USA Interactive on its private placement of $750 million aggregate principal amount of 7% Senior Notes due 2013 announced today by USA Interactive. Covington's team was led by corporate partner J. D. Weinberg with assistance from corporate associates Julia Shin and Terence Brenner. ...

Covington & Burling Advises The Terence Chapman Group PLC on the Disposal of TCA Consulting Limited

December 2, 2002 - LONDON, UK - Covington & Burling, the international law firm, advised The Terence Chapman Group PLC (TCG) in relation to the recent disposal of TCA Consulting Limited, an IT consultancy for the financial services sector and its only remaining trading subsidiary. City Practitioners Limited (CPL), a niche IT services consultancy specializing in ...

Covington & Burling Represents Local Residents in Suit Against American University Over Tenley Campus Development Plans

November 5, 2002 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - On October 25, 2002, three local residents, each of whom is a member of the Tenley Campus Neighbors Association, sued American University in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia over the University's breach of a 1986 Agreement with its neighbors. The agreement governs the University's use and development of the ...

Covington & Burling Adds Four Attorneys to Growing West Coast Litigation Practice

October 17, 2002 - SAN FRANCISCO, CA - The international law firm Covington & Burling has added four associates to its growing San Francisco office. Darren D. Cooke, Vince G. Chhabria, Cameron Alston and John R. Tighe will support the firm's increasingly busy West Coast litigation practice. Together with two more associates, due to start work before year's end, ...

Covington & Burling Announces Eight New Partners

October 3, 2002 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - Covington & Burling announced that eight attorneys have been elected to the partnership, effective October 1, 2002. New partners in Covington's Litigation Practice include Georgia Kazakis and Edward H. Rippey. Michael S. Labson is a new partner in the firm's Food and Drug and Life Sciences Practices. Erin M. Egan and Jennifer ...

Covington Represents Decision Systems Technologies, Inc. in its Sale to STG, Inc.

October 3, 2002 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - Covington & Burling represented privately-held Decision Systems Technologies, Inc. (DSTI), of Rockville, Maryland, an information technology, engineering, and science solutions provider to federal government clients, in its sale to STG, Inc., an information technology, engineering and professional services firm also serving ...

Covington Advises Riptech, Inc. in Its Acquisition by Symantec, Inc.

August 21, 2002 - WASHINGTON, D.C - Covington & Burling represented Riptech, Inc., a leading provider of scalable, real-time managed security services, in its sale to Symantec, Inc. which was consummated on August 19, 2002. Symantec paid an aggregate of $145 million in cash for privately-held Riptech. The combination of Symantec and Riptech will create a global ...

Covington & Burling Assists Microsoft in Reaching Agreement With FTC On Passport Service

August 8, 2002 - WASHINGTON, DC, - Microsoft Corporation and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced today their agreement to a Consent Order related to Microsoft’s Passport online authentication service. The Order is ground-breaking because it provides a guideline of what the FTC expects companies that either collect or maintain personal information via ...

Covington Represents Aegis Research Corporation in Its Sale to ManTech International Corporation

August 5, 2002 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - Covington & Burling represented privately-held Aegis Research Corporation, of Falls Church, Virginia, a leading provider of secrecy, security, intelligence, counterintelligence, computer forensics, intrusion analysis and other enterprise protection strategies and technical services to the national security community, in its ...

Covington & Burling Advises on Placing of Up to 5,000,000 Participating Loan Notes for Pantheon International Participations PLC

August 5, 2002 - LONDON, UK - Covington & Burling, the international law firm, is pleased to announce it advised Pantheon International Participations PLC (“PIP”) in connection with the placing by Collins Stewart Limited of up to 5,000,000 participating loan notes (“PLNs”) at an initial issue price of 532.53p per PLN. The PLNs are to be listed and traded on the ...

Covington & Burling Obtains Victory for Defendant Corporation in Alien Tort Claims Act Lawsuit

August 1, 2002 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - On July 16, 2002, Senior Judge Charles S. Haight, Jr. of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York dismissed the Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA) lawsuit filed by Peruvian plaintiffs against Southern Peru Copper Corporation (SPCC). Covington & Burling partners Peter J. Nickles and Thomas L. Cubbage III ...

Covington Advises Oxford GlycoSciences On Research Collaboration With Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics

July 16, 2002 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oxford GlycoSciences, PLC (OGS) and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Inc. (CFFTI) agreed to jointly discover and validate serum biomarkers of cystic fibrosis (CF) and associated pulmonary complications. The two organizations hope to accelerate the pace of clinical advances by diagnosing complications of CF sooner and ...

Covington Advises Bacardi Limited in Its Acquisition of Tequila Cazadores

June 24, 2002, WASHINGTON, D.C. - Covington & Burling today announced that it represented Bacardi Limited and its subsidiaries in their acquisition of trademarks and other intangible and tangible assets from Tequila Cazadores, S.A. de C.V. and its affiliates. A long-term supply agreement for blue agave, the cactus-like plant from which tequila is made, was also ...

Covington Advises USA Interactive in Its Acquisition of Interval International

June 3, 2002 - NEW YORK, NY - Covington & Burling represented USA Interactive (NASDAQ: USAI) in its agreement announced on May 31 to acquire Interval International through the acquisition of its holding company, Interval Acquisition Corp., from Willis Stein & Partners, a Chicago-based private equity investment firm, and other investors. USA Interactive agreed to ...

Covington & Burling Announces New Counsel

May 8, 2002 - WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO - Covington & Burling has promoted seven attorneys to counsel positions effective April 1, 2002. The new counsel are Dennis B. Auerbach, Wendy L. Feng, Marie A. Lavalleye, John B. Maclay, Lucinda Osborne, Lisa Peets and Elaine W. Stone. Mr. Auerbach is Of Counsel in the Washington office. His ...

David B. H. Martin, Former SEC Division Director, Joins Covington & Burling

April 29, 2002 - WASHINGTON, D.C. and NEW YORK - International law firm Covington & Burling announced today that David B. H. Martin has joined as a partner. Mr. Martin is the immediate past Director of the Division of Corporation Finance at the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. In that role, he had responsibility for overseeing public company ...

Covington & Burling Expands White-Collar Defense Practice to West Coast

March 18, 2002 - SAN FRANCISCO, CA - The international law firm Covington & Burling launches its West Coast white-collar criminal defense practice with the addition of John M. Potter as a partner in its San Francisco office. Mr. Potter held numerous supervisory positions in the United States Attorney’s office, including service as Deputy Chief in the Criminal ...

Covington Adds Two Corporate Partners in London

March 7, 2002 - LONDON, U.K. - Covington & Burling announced today that Simon Goodworth and Simon Currie, corporate partners, will be joining from Theodore Goddard. Covington recently announced that David Hinds, a senior tax partner, joined from SJ Berwin and James R. Beery, formerly General Counsel of GlaxoSmithKline, is joining as Senior Of Counsel. Simon ...

Former General Counsel of GlaxoSmithKline Joins Covington & Burling as Senior Of Counsel

March 6, 2002 - LONDON, U.K.- International law firm Covington & Burling is pleased to announce that James Beery, who recently retired as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world and the UK’s second largest company, will join the firm as Senior Of Counsel from 18 March. Mr. ...

Covington Assists AstraZeneca in its Sale of Sular to First Horizon Pharmaceutical

February 14, 2002 - Washington, D.C. - Covington & Burling advised AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) in its sale of US distribution rights for Sular® (nisoldipine) to First Horizon Pharmaceutical Corp. (Nasdaq: FHRX) in a deal valued at up to $175 million. Sular, which is manufactured by Bayer AG, is a once-a-day treatment for high blood pressure (hypertension). Sular ...

Covington Completes UBS Warburg Acquisition of Enron Natural Gas & Power Trading Business and Enron Online

February 12, 2002 – NEW YORK – Covington & Burling announced today that it assisted UBS Warburg in the completion of UBS Warburg’s acquisition of Enron Online and its natural gas and power trading business from the bankruptcy estate. The new business has been branded www.UBSWenergy.com and is expected to commence trading this month. The transaction required ...

Covington Advises Ocular Networks in Its Acquisition by Tellabs

January 14, 2002 - WASHINGTON, D.C. and NEW YORK, NY - Covington & Burling represented Ocular Networks, Inc., a leading next-generation optical solutions company, in its sale to Tellabs Inc., which was consummated today. Tellabs paid an aggregate of $355 million in cash and stock options for privately-held Ocular Networks. Tellabs will retain Ocular’s Reston, ...

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Covington Advises Mexichem on its $1.8 Billion Acquisition of Israeli Irrigation Firm

Ingrid Rechtin Among The Recorder's "Women Leaders in Tech Law"

Covington Named One of America's Best Corporate Law Firms by Corporate Board Member

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News and Insights (Showing 5 of 982) (Showing 982 of 982)

Covington Advises Mexichem on its $1.8 Billion
Acquisition of Israeli Irrigation Firm

Ingrid Rechtin Among The Recorder's
"Women Leaders in Tech Law"

Covington Named One of America's Best
Corporate Law Firms by Corporate Board Member