Legal Business

Deal watch: Corporate activity in March 2016

TRAVERS SMITH ADVISES ON $540M SOFTWARE DEAL

Travers Smith and Kirkland & Ellis landed lead advisory roles on the $540m acquisition by Micro Focus of US firm Serena Software. In March, UK software firm Micro Focus said it would acquire Serena Software on a cash and debt-free basis for $540m. Travers Smith acted for longstanding client Micro Focus while Kirkland acted for Serena Software.

 

PAUL HASTINGS TAKES KWM CLIENT NORTHEDGE

Paul Hastings won a first-time instruction in March from UK buyout firm NorthEdge on the launch of a £300m fund, despite King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) pitching to retain the work. The mandate is the second the US firm has taken from KWM in as many months after it recently acted for historic KWM client Investindustrial.

 

LINKLATERS AND CC TEAM UP FOR METRO BANK FLOAT

Magic Circle duo Linklaters and Clifford Chance (CC) advised British lender Metro Bank on its float on the London Stock Exchange last month. The challenger bank was advised by Linklaters, while CC acted as counsel to the sponsor RBC Europe and private placement advisers.