Allen & Overy

Work on multi-jurisdictional transactions

Our global Corporate practice undertakes some of the world’s most complex multi-jurisdictional transactions. Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) underpin the practice, which is structured around global sector and product teams: antitrust; communications; media and technology; outsourcing; energy and utilities; infrastructure; environment; equity capital markets; financial institutions; major industrials; and private equity.

Our lawyers advise on all aspects of company /commercial law and corporate finance, acting extensively on public takeovers, private M&A, cross-border deals, international equity offerings, private equity, joint ventures, strategic alliances and corporate restructuring. We advise investment banks and financial institutions, major corporates, private equity houses and management teams.

The work of the Corporate department can be tremendously varied, although typically we advise clients that are acquiring or disposing of a business, negotiating commercial contracts or seeking general corporate advice. As a Corporate trainee, you might be involved in a high-profile public takeover, examining the details of a commercial joint venture agreement or organising the auction of a client’s business. In fact, you might be involved in all of these at the same time.

Recently we have advised Heineken on its £7.8bn joint bid with Carlsberg to acquire Scottish & Newcastle plc; Novartis in its proposed acquisition of a 77% stake in U.S. based Alcon Inc from Nestle S.A., for a total consideration of $39bn; ABN AMRO on its proposed €69bn merger with Barclays and the competing bid by the Royal Bank of Scotland led consortium; and The Thomson Corporation on its £8.7bn merger with Reuters plc.

You can find more information about the Corporate and Commercial practice area on the main Allen & Overy website.