Five big-name law firms in the US and the UK are set to benefit from Disney’s massive US$52.4 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox.
Disney is buying a chunk of Fox’s assets, including the Twentieth Century Fox film and television studios, the cable and international television businesses, the 39% stake in Sky, and properties including X-Men and The Simpsons. A new entity will be spun off to hold the remaining assets, which include Fox News, Fox Business Network, Fox Broadcasting, Fox Sports, and Fox TV channels.
Cravath, Swaine & Moore is acting for Disney. The elite firm’s team is led by partners Faiza J. Saeed, and Eric L. Schiele on M&A matters; partners Stephen L. Gordon and Lauren Angelilli, on tax matters; partners Jonathan J. Katz and Eric W. Hilfers on executive compensation and benefits matters; partner David J. Kappos on intellectual property matters; and partner Matthew Morreale on environmental matters.
21st Century Fox is being advised by at least four firms, which include
Hogan Lovells; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in the US. In the UK, Allen & Overy is acting for the company.
Hogan Lovells’ team is led by New York partner Ira Sheinfeild, who’s working with partners Amy Freed, Lillian Tsu, Keith Flaum, Alex Johnson, Martha Steinman, Phil Altman, Jeff Tolin, and Joseph Rackman.
Simpson Thacher’s team is led by partners Patrick Ryan, Joe Kaufman, Jonathan Ozner, Matthew Farrell, and Bassam Chain.
Allen & Overy’s antitrust team is led by partner Antonio Bavasso, supported by partner Dominic Long. The firm’s corporate team is led by partners David Broadley, Seth Jones, and Simon Toms.
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