Baker McKenzie, Linklaters advise on $1.76 billion cereal deal

Baker McKenzie, Linklaters advise on $1.76 billion cereal deal
‘Aussie Kids may be Weet-Bix kids’ but Chinese investors in a similarly-named product have sold their business to a US firm, with help from some major law firms.

Linklaters and Ropes & Grey acted for Baring Private Equity Asia and Shanghai’s Bright Food Group on the sale of UK firm Weetabix Ltd. while Baker McKenzie advised US firm Post Holdings Ltd.

Additionally, UK firm Mills & Reeve acted for the Weetabix management team on the U$1.76 billion deal.

The Chinese ownership of Weetabix began 5 years ago and it was hoped that the brand would become established in Asia. The new owners are reportedly continuing with that aim through a distribution deal with Bright Food Group.

DLA Piper hires Hogan Lovells partner to head China patent team
William (Skip) Fisher will head up DLA Piper’s patent team in China having joined from Hogan Lovells.

He will remain in Shanghai where he has built a reputation as a leading lawyer in the field, named as one of the world’s leading patent professionals by IAM Patent 100 for the past three years.

Fisher explained his decision to make the move: "What DLA Piper offers is a vast international network with an impressive investment in Greater China in recent years, demonstrating the firm's commitment to the region, and a well-established and well-regarded global IP and technology practice.”

Clifford Chance partner to become Law Society president
A Clifford Chance partner with 30 years’ experience in the legal profession will become the president of the Law Society of England and Wales.

Commercial litigation lawyer Simon Davis will become deputy vice president in July, beginning a three-year term as an officer of the society which includes a year each as deputy vice president, vice president and president; he will be president in 2019.

Davis said that it is a “great privilege” to be elected.