Prestigious international legal practice
Allen & Overy is a renowned international law firm that values and promotes a collegial and cohesive environment and cross-border legal practice. With approximately 2,800 attorneys, including some 521 partners, and 5,000 staff, working in 43 major centers worldwide, we are able to provide effective, coordinated and decisive legal advice across three continents. 69% of our work involves A&O offices in two or more jurisdictions.
Top training for attorneys
Professional development is the key for growth within our associate classes. Allen & Overy runs weekly U.S. training sessions and practice area briefings for the summer associates in the New York and Washington, D.C. offices. We also run extended seminars on client presentations, practice management and cross-border working practices. Entry-level associates attend a week-long training session, titled U.S. University, to gain a broad perspective of our U.S. law practice areas, while mid-level and senior development courses are offered in London for attorneys in every office. Finally, departmental off-sites and practice-specific seminars are held annually at various global locations to increase internal networking opportunities, develop advanced legal skills and share strategic initiatives.
Quality summer associate program
Allen & Overy attracts the top talent from various law schools across the country. We look for the best and the brightest in order to maintain and build on the strength of our legal practice at all levels. Because of the nature of our practice, junior associates are given a great deal of responsibility early in their careers. Allen & Overy is looking for those students who share our entrepreneurial spirit and motivation for quality of work and life.
Our summer program is unique in many ways. We offer placements in New York, Washington, D.C., London and Hong Kong to students, with opportunities to spend time in just one office or split the summer between two of the offices. Splits with other offices are considered on a case-by-case basis after summer associates have accepted their offer with one office. During the program, summer associates gain firsthand knowledge of the life of a junior associate within our legal practice, and are exposed to some of the most exciting transactions and cases happening in the legal world today.
Commitment to excellence has a global effect
Commitment to excellence has a global effect within our international legal network, an initiative called "Values Into Action" was introduced to support Allen & Overy's dedication to the quality of life and respect for each individual. This philosophy of working as one group can be felt throughout our offices, and enhances our success both professionally and personally. Allen & Overy takes pride in its cultural and diverse workforce. Our employees mirror the diversity of the societies in which we operate and with which we interact. We believe it is our commitment to each individual that sets us apart from our competitors.
Exciting, International Deal Flow
We have highlighted below a selection of recent key deals and cases.
- The mandated lead arrangers on the USD4bn debt financing for Shuanghui’s acquisition of Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork producer. This acquisition was the largest ever Chinese takeover of a U.S. company in 2013. The deal was awarded “Best China Deal and Best Cross Border M&A Deal” by Finance Asia, “Deal of the Year” by Asian-MENA Counsel, “Deal of the Year” by China Business Law Journal (CBLJ) and “M&A Deal of the Year” by IFLR Americas in 2014.
- Fresenius SE &Co KGaA and Fresenius Medical Care & Co. KGaA: Long-time U.S. counsel in connection with their financing activities, including Fresenius SE’s Summer 2013 financing and TLB syndication; Fresenius SE, as borrower, in connection with its launch of a EUR1.2bn loan to fund its purchase of Rhoen-Klinikum; and on the October 2012 refinancing of Fresenius Medical Care & Co KGA’s USD3.85bn senior secured credit facilities.
- Bank of China in connection with a USD465.85 million loan to an international joint venture to purchase The Plaza Hotel and The Dream Downtown Hotel, two luxury hotels in New York City.
- SL Green Realty Corp. in connection with the origination of USD925m bridge acquisition financing to a joint venture led by real estate developer The Chetrit Group for the acquisition of 550 Madison Avenue – an iconic 37-story, 825,000 square foot office tower on Madison Avenue between East 55 and 56 streets in New York City commonly known as The Sony Building.
- Our Hong Kong U.S. team represented the underwriters on the debut USD1.5 billion global bond offering by the Government of Mongolia. Allen & Overy advised Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, J.P. Morgan and TDB Capital who acted as joint lead managers of the Rule 144A/Regulation S offering. The proceeds of the offering are expected to finance infrastructure and industrial projects in Mongolia, including but not limited to mining and railway projects, roads and highways and power plants.
- Novartis AG on its USD52bn acquisition of NYSE-listed Alcon, Inc. for a combination of cash and shares. This was the largest acquisition ever undertaken by Novartis and one of the largest transactions of any kind of 2011.
- Tyco International on its USD67bn separation into three publicly traded U.S. companies. This was the largest corporate separation in history.
- NYSE listed D.E Master Blenders (the spin-off resulting from Sara Lee’s separation into two public companies in 2012) on its approximately USD9.8bn public acquisition by a consortium led by Joh. A. Benckiser.
- Lone Star Real Estate Funds on its winning bid and acquisition of a USD4.5bn non-performing loan (NPL) portfolio from Anglo Irish Bank. The transaction was one of the largest real estate transactions of 2011. The transaction involved the acquisition and financing of over 150 separate loans and we continue to assist Lone Star and its asset manager, Hudson Advisors, on the workout, enforcement and disposition of the assets.
- Allen & Overy was awarded 2013 North American Transport Deal of the Year by Project Finance Magazine and 2013 Americas P3 Deal of the Year by Project Finance International for Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. Our U.S. Project Finance team advised the funders to Aerostar Airport Holdings, LLC, a project company owned by Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste and Highstar Capital, in connection with the financing of the long-term lease and concession of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Puerto Rico, the first airport privatization to be approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
- Allen & Overy was awarded 2013 Transportation Deal of the Year for our work on the Goethals Bridge by Infrastructure Journal. We advised the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in connection with its USD2bn procurement of the replacement of the Goethals Bridge.
- Allen & Overy was awarded “Latin American Petrochemicals Deal of the Year 2012” by Project Finance Magazine 2013, “Project Finance Deal of the Year 2012” by Latin Lawyer 2013, “Americas Petrochemical Deal of the Year” by Project Finance International 2012, “Americas Deal of the Year 2012” by Trade Finance Magazine and “Best Deal 2012” by GTR Leaders in Trade. Our U.S. Project Finance team advised International Finance Corporation, Inter-American Development Bank, Export Development Canada, Servizi Assicurativi del Commercio Estero, Brazilian Development Bank, Bancomext and Nacional Financiera, S.N.C. on the multi-billion dollar Etileno XXI petrochemical project in Mexico.
- JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a litigation before the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in which we won dismissal of RICO and common law claims arising from the institution’s provision of banking services to the Bernard L. Madoff firm.
- Bank of America in its 18-month negotiation with 50 State Attorneys General and numerous federal agencies, including the United States Department of Justice, in connection with the settlement of allegations relating to its single family residential mortgage servicing practices, and the ensuing implementation of the settlement. The negotiations concluded in April 2012 with a USD25bn settlement between the DOJ, State AGs and the five largest bank servicers in the country. The new servicing standards represent the most significant single operational change in the residential mortgage marketplace since the Financial Crisis, and have served as a template for mortgage servicing standards for bank and non-bank servicers.
- SIFMA on the development of policy and regulations governing “Pay-to-Play,” the practice of making political contributions to government officials in exchange for receiving government business (MSRB Rule G-37 and proposed MSRB Rule G-42). We also assist SIFMA with state-level legislative and regulatory initiatives.
- Richard Fuld, former Chairman and CEO of Lehman Brothers, on an array of intersecting proceedings arising out of Lehman's well-publicized bankruptcy. We are representing Mr. Fuld in connection with his Congressional testimony, government and regulatory inquiries, and multiple securities and ERISA class actions.
- BTG Pactual YS Empreendimentos e Participações S.A. as Borrower in a syndicated USD366m term loan facility with The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) as joint lead bookrunners and underwriters and as issuer of a USD272m Indenture with respect to the acquisition of Globenet Cabos Submarinos Ltda. This deal was awarded “Private Equity Deal of the Year 2013” by LatinFinance 2014.
- Grupo México and México Generadora de Energía (MGE) on the USD575m 5.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2032 Rule 144A project-bond to finance the construction of 500MW combined-cycle, gas-fired electrical power facilities in Mexico. This project was named “Best Power Financing of the Year” by LatinFinance 2013. This project was named “Best Power Financing of the Year” by LatinFinance 2013.
- Two global financial services firms separately, in multiple federal antitrust class actions involving claims of price fixing, conspiracy to monopolize, and group boycott in the credit derivatives clearing, trading and information services markets.
- Targets and/or subjects of cartel investigations in the following industries: auto parts; DRAM (the European Commission’s first settled case); LCD/CRT; anti-vibration parts; navigational systems; chemical sulfates; carbon fiber; tires; food services; egg products; and art and auction houses. We have represented many of these clients in related civil and class action litigation.
- GE Oil & Gas on its acquisition of the Well Support division of John Wood Group PLC (“Wood Group”) for approximately USD2.8bn
- U.S. counsel to Ernst & Young, which has been appointed as the monitor of Nortel Networks Corporation and certain affiliates in their CCAA proceedings pending before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List). We have commenced Chapter 15 cases in the U.S. for the Canadian affiliates and are representing Ernst & Young, as monitor, in the U.S. Chapter 11 cases. We also advised Nortel Network Corp and certain of its Canadian affiliates in connection with nine business line sales, including the record-breaking USD4.5bn sale of Nortel’s patent portfolio in a sale of assets under section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, a deal that was awarded “M&A Deal of the Year” by IFLR Americas Awards 2012.
- Atari SA, the publically traded French video game company, in connection with the restructuring of its U.S. subsidiaries under chapter 11.
- The agent on the restructuring of Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc.’s USD1.15bn revolving loan facility.
- Novartis AG on its USD52bn acquisition of NYSE-listed Alcon, Inc. for a combination of cash and shares. This was the largest acquisition ever undertaken by Novartis and one of the largest transactions of any kind of 2011.
- NYSE listed D.E Master Blenders (the spin-off resulting from Sara Lee’s separation into two public companies in 2012) on its approximately USD9.8bn public acquisition by a consortium led by Joh. A. Benckiser.
- Alvarez & Marsal, as court appointed monitor of Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (and certain of its Canadian and U.S. subsidiaries) in connection with its Chapter 15 proceedings, which included a restructuring of Angiotech’s USD250m 7.75% senior subordinated notes and related obligations.
- The Royal Bank of Scotland on the restructuring of a major shipping company.
- Lehman Brothers representing more than 70 clients in connection with issues arising from the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers.
- SAP on its USD3.4bn public acquisition of NYSE-listed cloud computing leader SuccessFactors, Inc., which is based in San Mateo, California.
- Bank of America, Barclays, BNP Paribas, Citi, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, Nomura, The Royal Bank Scotland, Société Générale and UBS, as dealer group, in relation to all ICE clearing houses and the clearing of all over-the-counter derivatives products, including the development of default clearing house management rules.
- ISDA on the preparation and drafting of the 2014 ISDA Credit Derivatives Definitions. This will have the most significant impact on the global credit derivatives market since 2003 when ISDA last published a set of definitions for credit derivatives.
- Samarco Mineração S.A. on its debut international issuance of USD1bn 144A/Regulation S 4.125% Notes due 2022; and on its issue of USD700m Rule 144A/Regulation S offering of 5.95% Notes due 2023.
- JPMorgan Securities and the other underwriters, as designated underwriters’ counsel, in connection with the issuance of SEC publicly registered credit card asset-backed securities from the Chase Issuance Trust and the conversion of the Chase Issuance Trust SEC public registration statement into a de-linked MTN-style program.
- Over two dozen of the world's largest non-U.S. banks on the proposed "Volcker Rule," including writing five separate comment letters to the Federal agencies on the proposal.
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