Law Firm News

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Law Firm News

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Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.

Fulbright Partner Chosen Houston’s 2007 Maritime Person of the Year
Fulbright partner, Judge Robert Eckels, has been chosen the 2007 Maritime Person of the Year by the Greater Houston Port Bureau and Marine Exchange of the West Gulf (GHPB). The honor is based on his promotion of policies benefiting the Port of Houston and the numerous businesses that depend on the Port’s role in the region’s economy.

The GHPB selection panel emphasized Eckels’ leadership as County Judge of Harris County in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita facing unprecedented problems and massive dislocations. The panel commented that he "worked tirelessly in the trenches to show the nation how resilient, generous and innovative the Port of Houston community can be." The panel also noted Eckels’ understanding of the intricacies of port security and the need to balance regional security initiatives with the just-in-time nature of maritime commerce.

As this year’s honoree, Eckels will address the guests at the GHPB Gala at the Houston Club on November 2, 2007.

09-20-2007

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Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.

Fulbright Partner Takes Leadership Position in Young Arbitrators Forum
Kevin O'Gorman has been named to the Steering Committee of the Young Arbitrators Forum. YAF is organized by the United States Council for International Business, the U.S. national committee to the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce. It provides young professionals in international arbitration a forum to enhance their knowledge of international arbitration, exchange ideas, and develop relationships in the arbitration community.

O'Gorman is a partner in Fulbright's Houston location and specializes in international arbitration and disputes. He serves as Vice Chair of the American Bar Association's International Commercial Dispute Resolution Committee and recently was recognized by Chambers USA 2007 as one of the leading international arbitration attorneys in the United States.

09-20-2007

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Foley & Lardner

Foley Earns Ranking on InformationWeek 500 List For Second Consecutive Year
Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that the firm is ranked 32 on the annual InformationWeek 500 list of the nation's most innovative information technology (IT) organizations. The ranking is the second honor received by the firm in 2007 for its pioneering client-focused technology initiatives and follows its receipt of the CIO 100 award earlier this year.

Foley, which is the highest ranking law firm on the list, earned the InformationWeek 500 ranking because of its ability to develop innovative technologies such as its Private Equity Matchmaker (PEM) and applications that the firm developed to support its client service program.

“The firm has made significant investments in leading-edge technology, which has differentiated us from our competition,” said Doug Caddell, the firm's chief information officer. “Our clients recognize that our technology tools add significant value to our legal service offerings.”

The PEM tool is a proprietary online software platform designed to enhance the ability of Foley attorneys to refer business opportunities to the firm's clients. The tool is a first-of-its-kind technology in the legal industry. Through its automated search function and deal-matching capability, PEM brings together Foley clients from around the world who are seeking capital with those who are actively pursuing private equity investment opportunities, classified as "seekers" and "sources," respectively.

As Foley attorneys populate PEM, the tool evaluates seekers and sources automatically, searching for matches based on key attributes including transaction size, development stage, geographic region and industry. When PEM identifies a match, the system generates an e-mail notifying the Foley attorneys of their clients' potential compatibility.

The firm also created technologies to support its client service program, which is focused on developing IT tools and processes to increase the firm's ability to bring more value to its clients. Central to the initiative is the identification and development of best practices for attorney and professional staff client service teams drawing upon experience in diverse industries and geographical areas.

The technology tools developed by Foley include FOLEY:ClientSuite, an extranet that allows clients to track and manage matters and act as a repository for case files and other information. The firm also created a budget management tool, a report card to assess if the firm is meeting client expectations and an online portal and resource center that is the entry point and information page for the firm to view all client service initiatives.

For the past 19 years, InformationWeek has identified and honored the nation's most innovative users of information technology with its annual rankings. The list is unique among corporate rankings because it spotlights the power of innovation in information technology rather than simply identifying the biggest IT spenders.

To be ranked on this year's list, candidates were asked to complete an application that examined key IT strategies. The application included a quantitative analysis of tech initiatives and priorities, and a qualitative assessment using essay responses. Participants were asked to complete two essays, one on overall technology innovation and the other on one of six technology categories. The responses to all parts of the survey were evaluated, weighted and combined into a total score, which is the basis for the ranking. The selection criteria are determined by the magazine's editors.

The 2007 InformationWeek 500 organizations were revealed at a gala awards ceremony held during the InformationWeek 500 Conference at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona.

09-20-2007

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Baker & McKenzie, L.L.P.

Baker & McKenzie LLP Advise Medi-Clinic Corporation on €2.180 Billion Acquisition of Hirslanden AG and €1.7 Billion Non-Recourse Financing Facilities
Baker & McKenzie, London has advised Medi-Clinic Corporation, through its wholly owned subsidiary Medi-Clinic Luxembourg, on its proposed acquisition of Hirslanden AG from European private equity group BC Partners Limited. Consideration for the shareholding amounts to CHF 2,846 million (€1.725 billion), equating to an enterprise value of CHF 3,600 million (€ 2.180 billion).

Medi-Clinic Corporation, which is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, is South Africa's third-biggest private hospital owner. Hirslanden is the leading private hospital group in Switzerland, comprising 13 private acute care facilities, with 1,275 beds and 3,600 employees.

Medi-Clinic has issued a Circular to its shareholders on 17 August, in connection with a rights issue to fund the acquisition. The Circular states that the financing includes facilities of up to CHF 2,800 million (€1.7 billion), arranged by Barclays Capital, on a non-recourse basis to Medi-Clinic's South African operations.

Bernard Sharp, banking Partner at Baker & McKenzie, said: ''We were pleased to have advised on this first instruction for Medi-Clinic, who were introduced to us by Dresdner Kleinwort. We initially advised on the financing, and subsequently on the M&A issues for what is a significant acquisition for our client, and its first foray into the European market.''

The Baker & McKenzie team was led by Bernard Sharp, and included Partner Nick Tostivin, and associates Lynn Rosell Rowley and Natalie Schulze. English M&A advice was provided by Partners Jane Hobson and Simon Hughes, and associate Jannan Crozier. Bruce Somer (capital markets), Stephen Turner and Kandarp Thakar (real estate) provided additional advice.

Lenz & Staehelin acted as Swiss counsel to Medi-Clinic Corporation, and Hofmeyr Herbstein & Gihwala Inc. acted as South African counsel.

Clifford Chance advised Barclays Capital.

09-20-2007

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Baker & McKenzie, L.L.P.

Baker & McKenzie Acts in Landmark Saudi IPO for Kingdom Holding Company.
Baker & McKenzie has advised Kingdom Holding Company, as transaction counsel, on its IPO on the Saudi Stock Exchange, which is expected to raise US$860 million.

Kingdom Holding Company is one of the world's largest and most diversified private investment companies, with holdings in a large number of Saudi Arabian, Middle Eastern and international companies. It is also one of the world's leading hotel investors, with a portfolio that includes the Savoy in London, and Four Season and Fairmont hotels around the world. Its assets are valued at US$25 billion (as of 31 December 2006).

Edward Bibko, corporate Partner at Baker & McKenzie, said: ''This transaction was significant not only because of its size and the profile of the issuer, but also because it was one of the first transactions to use an institutional offer and bookbuilding structure.''

''The Saudi regulators were, in many respects, developing new market practice alongside the IPO. Having previously advised the regulators in drafting the relevant securities laws, and considering our extensive IPO experience, we were uniquely qualified to act as transaction counsel,'' he added.

The Baker & McKenzie team in London was led by Tom Philipp and Edward Bibko, and included Partner Mark Henrick, and associates Richard Kelly and David Chmiel. Baker & McKenzie Partner Karim Nassar lead a team in the Riyadh office.

09-20-2007

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Baker & McKenzie, L.L.P.

Baker & McKenzie Acts for Merchant Bridge on US$1.25 Billion Mobile Phone Licence Acquisition in Iraq
Baker & McKenzie, London has acted for Merchant Bridge, as part of a consortium with Qtel and AsiaCell, on its acquisition of an Iraqi GSM licence for US$1.25 billion.

The license was one of only three GSM licenses to be issued by the Iraqi Government, through an auction, to operate mobile phone businesses in Iraq. The successful bid secures a 15 year nationwide license for the consortium, which funded the acquisition by a mix of debt and shareholder equity.

Merchant Bridge is a specialist investment banking group primarily for the Middle East, North Africa and Europe.

Peter Strivens, corporate Partner at Baker & McKenzie, said: ''This deal has been described as among the largest commercial transactions completed in Iraq this year, and we were pleased that our telecommunications team were able to advise Merchant Bridge on such a major transaction, in a jurisdiction that can present a number of challenges''.

The Baker & McKenzie team was led by Partner Peter Strivens and corporate associate Oliver Stacey, and included trainee Caspar McConville. Partner Corinna Mitchell and associate Lynn Rosell Rowley provided finance advice.

Qtel was advised by Trowers & Hamlins.

09-20-2007

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Baker & McKenzie, L.L.P.

BAKER & MCKENZIE BERÄT LBBW BEI ABS-TRANSAKTION
Baker & McKenzie berät die Landesbank Baden-Württemberg (LBBW), Stuttgart, bei einer Asset-Backed-Securities (ABS)-Transaktion der chinesischen und malaysischen Töchter der Balda AG. Balda hat bereits im Mai 2006 seine europäischen Forderungen im Rahmen einer ABS-Transaktion verbrieft. Auf diesem europäischen Programm hat der Handyausrüster mit Sitz in Bad Oeynhausen/Nordrhein-Westfalen aufgesetzt und nun die Forderungen seiner Tochtergesellschaften in Ipoh/Malaysia, Suzhou und Beijing, beide China, verbrieft.

Der Frankfurter Banking & Finance-Anwalt Dr. Martin Kaiser, der bei Baker & McKenzie die Transaktion federführend betreute: „Der Trend geht dahin, verstärkt asiatische und exotische Länder in ABS-Transaktionen einzubinden. Eine besondere Herausforderung war es, die zahlreichen Hürden im malaysischen Steuerrecht, im chinesischen Aufsichtsrecht und in der chinesischen Währungskontrolle zu meistern.“

09-20-2007

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