Law Firm News

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Law Firm News

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Baker Botts LLP

Yakovlev Joins Baker Botts’ International Corporate Team in London
Andrei Yakovlev, who has represented global investment banks and both corporate and sovereign issuers in debt and equity offerings and M&A matters with a particular emphasis on Eastern/Central Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and Turkey, joined Baker Botts today as partner in the Firm’s Corporate Department. He will be based in London.

Yakovlev is a U.S., U.K. and Russian-qualified lawyer. He has more than 12 years of experience in a wide range of international corporate and sovereign finance and M&A matters. He also has extensive experience in complex sovereign and corporate debt restructuring -- both negotiated and litigated. He represented global investment banks in connection with the restructuring of Yugoslav debt following the disintegration of that country and worked on the extensive restructuring of Russian sovereign, corporate and bank debt following the 1998 Russian financial crisis.

“Andrei’s extensive international debt and equity transactional experience will provide our clients the type of intricate legal guidance needed into today’s global marketplace,” said Walt Smith, Managing Partner of Baker Botts. “His familiarity with doing business in a number of international settings fits our commitment as a major international law firm to provide high-quality service to our clients around the world.”

In addition to his debt and equity offering experience, Yakovlev has significant experience in international arbitrations involving international finance and foreign investment. He has arbitrated complex, high-value international disputes arising out of defaults on sovereign and corporate debt securities and financial guarantees, financial derivatives, breach of investment protection obligations, petroleum development contracts and telecommunications concessions.

“Andrei's client connections and depth of expertise in offerings and M&A in Eastern and Central Europe will significantly expand our ability to assist clients on cutting-edge projects in the region,” said David Kirkland, Corporate Department Chair of Baker Botts. “Andrei has had key roles in a number of the region’s most significant transactions over the past 10 years, and is a major addition to our practice group.”

Yakovlev said: “I am delighted to join Baker Botts. The firm places a particular emphasis on the expansion of its practice in key emerging markets in Europe, Middle East and Asia, which goes to the heart of my practice.”

Yakovlev graduated in law from Moscow State Institute of International Relations. He holds a masters’ degree in law from the University of London, and a masters and doctorate in law from Northwestern University in Chicago. He joins Baker Botts following nearly 10 years of experience at Dewey Ballantine where he was a partner and head of Capital Markets for Eastern/Central Europe, Central Asia and Turkey.

Prior to joining Baker Botts, Yakovlev worked with major law firms in New York, London and Moscow. In addition to his legal practice, Yakovlev teaches International Economic Law at Queen Mary, University of London.

07-03-2007

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Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett, LLP

Simpson Thacher Represents Invus, L.P. in a $205 million Investment in Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Simpson Thacher is representing an affiliate of The Invus Group in a significant investment in Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of breakthrough treatments for human disease. Invus will purchase newly issued shares at an initial closing representing 40% of Lexicon's outstanding common stock for approximately $205 million and will have the right to invest up to an additional $345 million over the next three to four years through its rights to require Lexicon to offer to all its stockholders pro rata rights to purchase common stock. The initial closing is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval. In connection with the execution of the stock purchase agreement, Invus was also issued warrants to purchase shares which, when combined with shares it already owns, equal 19.9% of Lexicon’s outstanding common stock. The shares to be issued at the initial closing will be reduced for each share issued upon exercise of warrants. Assuming the completion of this investment based on Lexicon's current share capital, Invus will become the largest stockholder of Lexicon and, pursuant to the terms of a stockholders' agreement, will have certain governance and other rights.

The attorneys working on this deal included: Robert Spatt, Peter Malloy, Irina Petrova, and Shiao Chien (M&A); Alvin Brown and Aimee Adler (Employee Benefits); Gary Mandel and Noah Beck (Tax); Kerry Konrad and Noah Leibowitz (Intellectual Property); Michael Isby (Environmental); Ken Ehrhard (Antitrust). Summer Associate Douglas Tang provided invaluable assistance.

07-03-2007

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Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett, LLP

Simpson Thacher Advises AOL in Sale of Predictive Text Software Business to Nuance Communications
The Firm is advising AOL LLC in its announced sale of 100% of the stock of Tegic Communications, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL, to Nuance Communications, Inc. for $265 million in cash. Tegic provides embedded software for mobile devices, including T9 predictive text software. Nuance provides speech and imaging solutions for businesses and consumers.

The Simpson Thacher team representing AOL in the transaction includes: Peter Malloy, Stephen Ballas and Tom Lamprecht (M&A); Brian Robbins and Rachel Berry (Employee Benefits); Marcy Geller and Jason Vollbracht (Tax); Lori Lesser and Kirstie Howard (Intellectual Property); and Caitlin Lane (paralegal).

07-03-2007

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Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett, LLP

Simpson Thacher Represents Underwriters in $285 Million IPO of Polypore International, Inc.
Simpson Thacher represented the underwriters in connection with the initial public offering of common stock of Polypore International, Inc., which closed on July 3, 2007. J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. acted as the sole book running manager for the offering. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated and William Blair & Company, L.L.C. acted as co-managers for the offering. Polypore’s shares are now listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PPO”.

Polypore is a global high technology filtration company specializing in microporous membranes. Polypore’s membrane technologies are used in a wide array of markets and products, from lithium batteries, used in mobile phones and laptop computers, to healthcare applications.

The Simpson Thacher team for this transaction included Gary Sellers, Edgar Lewandowski and Margaret Nicholls (Capital Markets); Jonathan Cantor and Peter Rosen (Tax); Adeeb Fadil and Noreen Lavan (Environmental); Susan Kaufman (Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits); Julie Levy (Labor); Mark Lab and Sean Cotton (NASD).

07-03-2007

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Piper Rudnick, L.L.P.

DLA Piper expands German energy law team
DLA Piper has continued the expansion of its international energy team by establishing a specialised team in Cologne. Michael Cieslarczyk a leading expert in energy trade and contracts joins the Cologne office as a partner from White & Case.

Early in his career Michael worked in Clifford Chance's bank and stock exchange team in Frankfurt/Main, before joining the energy law team in Düsseldorf in 2002. In early 2004, Michael joined White & Case, where he was instrumental in setting up the new energy law team. The team was named "Law Firm of the Year for Energy Law" by JUVE, in 2006.

Michael is active in the areas of energy contract law and emission trading, as well as bank and stock exchange law. He has considerable experience in long-term gas acquisition, import, transportation and/or transit contracts and fuel and electricity supply contracts in the context of power station projects.

Senior associate Marek Dal-Canton, who also has several years of experience in energy contract and regulatory law, joins DLA Piper alongside Michael. Marek's practice also encompasses the environmental aspects of energy law, especially renewable energy, power heat coupling and issues linked to emission trading.

Michael and Marek advise German and foreign energy suppliers and energy trading business, as well as network operators and investment banks on all aspects of energy law and related commercial activities.

Dr Ulrich Jüngst, Managing partner DLA Piper Germany, commented: "With the appointment of Michael Cieslarczyk and Marek Dal-Canton we pursue our ambitious expansion strategy to build a global energy law team. Michael is a leading specialist in energy law and will contribute enormously to the development of our energy law practice both within Germany and internationally."

Michael Cieslarczyk added: "The international energy team's current footprint and its planned expansion in different jurisdictions were deciding factors in my move to DLA Piper. Setting up the energy law team in Cologne is a huge challenge and a great opportunity for me."

The new energy law team in Cologne is part of the international Energy & Water practice, headed in EMEA by Neil Upton.

07-03-2007

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Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP

Dear Friend and Partner Peter Murphy Passes Away June 30
It is with great sorrow that we acknowledge the passing of our dear friend and partner Peter Murphy on June 30. Peter passed away following a heart attack while on vacation in Mexico.

We remember Peter as someone who was a friend to everyone. A core member of the Environment & Natural Resources Practice, Peter was known as a team player, a prodigious worker and a straight shooter. His honesty and trustworthiness was admired by all, even opposing counsel.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Peter's family. Peter is survived by his wife, Sheila and children, Patrick, 8; Kevin, 6; and Maeve, 2.

We are deeply saddened by this loss. He will be truly missed.

07-03-2007

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Adams & Reese LLP

Holmes S. Adams to be Recognized by Goodwill Industries of Jackson
Holmes S. Adams, a partner with the Jackson office of Adams and Reese, will be recognized by the Goodwill Industries of Jackson at its Annual Volunteer Salute to be held at the Jackson County Club on August 23, 2007. Goodwill Industries is among the world’s largest nonprofit providers of education, training, and career services for people with disadvantages, such as welfare dependency, homelessness, and lack of education or work experience, as well as those with physical, mental and emotional disabilities. Last year, Goodwill of Jackson and others collectively provided employment and training services to more than 846,000 individuals.

Adams serves as the Education & Public Entity Practice Team Leader in the Litigation Practice Group. He has more than thirty years of experience in a wide range of federal and state court litigation involving commercial and contract disputes, employment and labor, civil rights defense and estate and tax matters. He has served as defense counsel on employment and labor issues and has successfully defended §1983 actions in federal court. He has argued several cases before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and has taken cases to the United States Supreme Court. Adams is listed in The Best Lawyers in America (Trusts and Estates) and Mid South Super Lawyers (Litigation).

Adams is a member of the American and Mississippi Bar Associations, and a past chair of the Mississippi Law Institute. Aside from his service to the Goodwill Industries, he has a history of service to several charities throughout the Jackson community. Adams is a former chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Museum of Art, and also served as president of the Mississippi Museum of Art Foundation. He is general counsel of the Metro Jackson United Way and served as chairman of its board for 2003-04. He is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Junior League of Jackson. He serves on several foundation boards, including the Eudora Welty Foundation and the Luckyday Foundation. He has served as senior warden and vestryman at his church, St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral

07-03-2007

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