Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP (‘Freshfields’) has advised Japan Tobacco Inc on its agreement to acquire the Donskoy Tabak group for US$1.6bn.

Donskoy Tabak is the fourth largest tobacco company in Russia. The deal is one of the largest investments in Russia by an international investor in the consumer goods sector since 2014. It is one of a number of acquisitions around the world on which Freshfields has advised Japan Tobacco Inc.

Freshfields’ team advising on this deal was led by partners Sebastian Lawson and Igor Gerber. Competition advice was provided by partner Winfred Knibbeler. Partner Giles Pratt provided advice on intellectual property matters.

The transaction was signed on 16 March 2018 and is expected to close by the beginning of the third quarter of 2018, subject to receipt of regulatory approval.