DLA Piper has advised Oakley Capital on the acquisition of Tomasoni Topsail S.p.a. ("Tomasoni") by its portfolio company North Technology Group and on the related structuring and equity arrangements. Tomasoni holds the exclusive license to manufacture and distribute North Sails branded clothing throughout Europe and Asia.

This acquisition is intended to complement Oakley Capital's recent acquisitions of the US-based North Technology Group (owner of the North Sails brand) and North Sails Europe (the exclusive licensee and distributor for North Sails' sailing and technology products in Europe and New Zealand) earlier this year, transactions which DLA Piper also advised on.

The complex, multi-jurisdictional deal included DLA Piper lawyers from a number of offices across Europe and the US. The topside structuring and equity arrangements were led by partner Anu Balasubramanian with assistance from partners Roderik Bouwman and Manon den Boer, senior associate Oliver Williams, tax adviser Yannick Schuerman, and associates James Hickling and Aad Oomen. Goffredo Guerra led on the Tomasoni acquisition and was assisted by associate Christian Iannaccone. Richard Davis, a Finance partner in the firm's Washington office, advised on the New York law governed credit facilities.

Anu Balasubramanian commented: "We are delighted to have had the opportunity to advise Oakley Capital on another strategic cross-border acquisition and on the related equity arrangements."