| Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld | Stand-out | VimpelCom combination with Wind Telecom to create the sixth-largest telecoms company globally | 7 | 8 | 7 | 22 | As VimpelCom’s key strategic adviser, the firm managed local counsel in 20 countries, and created new law in Egypt against the backdrop of the Arab Spring. In an environment fraught with political and litigation risk, the lawyers’ strategic view was invaluable to the transaction's success. |
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| Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer | Stand-out | Acquisition of Vallar, the first London-listed Indonesian resources group | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 | Without a template to follow, the firm had the quick idea to get clients into a position to sign a deal within 17 days to pre-empt an auction. The structure had to ensure the new group remained eligible for a premium listing in the UK. |
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| Latham & Watkins | Highly Commended | Comstar and MTS merger and parallel voluntary tender offer | 7 | 6 | 7 | 20 | The merger of New York-listed client MTS with London-listed Comstar required combining Russian law mechanisms for the first time, and synchronising Russian, UK and US aspects of the deal. Strict corporate governance structures created a positive precedent in the market. |
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| Allen & Overy | Highly Commended | Advising a Chinese company on distressed debt techniques to acquire Hungary’s Borsodchem | 6 | 7 | 6 | 19 | Advised Wanhua Industrial Group on the acquisition of distressed company debt to force through an acquisition. In a market unfamiliar to the client, lawyers turned a hostile deal into a consensual one. |
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| White & Case | Highly Commended | Sale of Droga Kolinska as part of Istrabenz’s debt restructuring | 6 | 7 | 6 | 19 | To satisfy creditors, lawyers developed a unique agreement and purchase-price adjustment. The structure overcame investor scepticism and has set a positive precedent for foreign investment in Slovenia. |
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| Baker & McKenzie | Commended | Ma'aden's $11bn joint venture with Alcoa | 5 | 6 | 7 | 18 | Advising on Ma'aden's first joint venture with an international partner and projects, the largest of their kind and strategically significant to the diversification of the Saudi Arabian economy. |
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| Dewey & LeBoeuf | Commended | Raiffeisen Bank International’s acquisition of Polbank | 6 | 7 | 5 | 18 | The acquisition required Polbank to be transformed from a branch to a standalone bank in anticipation of new legislation. |
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