Herbert Smith Freehills to be Top Integrated Firm in the Asia Pacific Region and New Global Force

International law firms Herbert Smith and Freehills confirmed today that their partnerships have voted overwhelmingly in favour of merging to create a new firm, Herbert Smith Freehills. The firm will focus on providing an integrated service to clients across its 20 offices. This will be a full equity merger, with a single profit pool from day one. Launch of the firm is targeted for 1 October 2012.

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Tags:  Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

DLA Piper Advises Doha Festival City

DLA Piper today announces its involvement in the financing of Doha Festival City, one of the largest multi-use developments in Qatar with a total project value of around 6 billion Qatari Riyals (QAR). The project is being developed by its owners, Bawabat Al Shamal Real Estate Company WLL (BASREC), and as a ‘super-regional retail and entertainment destination’ boasts the first IKEA store in Qatar, and will feature an entertainment and leisure complex, automotive showrooms and international hotels and convention centre.

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Tags:  DLA Piper | Dubai

Willkie Advises Loral Space in Sale of Satellite Manufacturing Unit in Deal Valued at Over $1 Billion

On June 26, longtime Willkie client Loral Space & Communications Inc. announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell wholly owned subsidiary Space Systems/Loral, Loral’s satellite manufacturing unit, to Canada-based MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. for $875 million and cash dividends and other payments from SS/L which are expected to be in excess of $135 million. Headquartered in New York City, Loral is a world-class leader in the design and manufacture of satellites and satellite systems for commercial and government applications, including fixed satellite services, direct-to-home television, broadband communications, wireless telephony, weather monitoring and air traffic management. MDA delivers a broad spectrum of information solutions, including complex operational systems, tailored information services and electronic information products for business and government organizations worldwide.

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Tags:  Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP | New York

Mayer Brown JSM Advised MIE Holdings Corporation on the Acquisition of Sino Gas & Energy

Mayer Brown JSM announced today that it advised MIE Holdings Corporation (MIE) on the US$100 million acquisition of Sino Gas & Energy Limited (Sino Gas). MIE is listed in Hong Kong specialising in oil and gas exploration, development and production. Sino Gas is an Australian company focused on the exploration and development of unconventional gas assets in the Ordos Basin in the northern province of Shanxi.

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Tags:  Mayer Brown LLP | Beijing