Dechert LLP advised Lazada, the largest eCommerce platform in Southeast Asia, on its agreement with Alibaba Group under which Alibaba will acquire a majority stake in Lazada for a total consideration of more than US$1 billion.

In their joint press release, the companies stated that the transaction will immediately make Alibaba the leading eCommerce service provider in the region by enabling the company to further assist global businesses and local merchants in accessing the Southeast Asian consumer market.

“We are pleased that we were able to assemble a seamless cross-border and cross-practice team to guide Lazada in its successful transaction with Alibaba,” said partner Federico Pappalardo head of Dechert’s Munich office. “This investment will enable the company to further expand its operations and enhance their focus on e-commerce, technology and logistics.”

Partner Federico G. Pappalardo led the Dechert team advising Lazada. Members of the corporate team included Giovanni Russo (Munich), Kristopher D. Brown (New York) as well as associates Dr. Armin Fary, Stephanie Kakoschke, Carina Klaes-Staudt, Dr. Karl von Rumohr (Munich), Michael J. Rosenberg (New York) and Laura Rossi (Luxembourg). Antitrust and competition aspects were handled by Clemens Graf York von Wartenburg and associate Michael Okkonen (Brussels). Jeremy Zucker, together with associates Darshak Dholakia and Hrishikesh N. Hari (Washington, D.C.), advised on international trade and government regulation matters in addition to associate Erin Reimer on IP aspects (Philadelphia).