Eversheds Sutherland has strengthened its commercial team in Paris today (17 December) with the hire of Partner Vincent Denoyelle.

Vincent, who specialises in internet law and Information Technology Law, is highly experienced in areas including IT contracts, domain names, data protection, cloud computing, encryption, e-commerce and social networks.

Fluent in French and English, Vincent worked in London for a large international group specialising in consulting and recruitment, before returning to Paris to practise as a lawyer for an international law firm.

International law firm MinterEllison today reinforced its position as a leader in the Asian region with the announcement of its expansion early in the New Year when it will add 10 new Partners as part of a total of 42 new staff to its Hong Kong office.

The additions to the Hong Kong office partnership means the firm will more than double its Partner numbers and considerably extend its services offering in the fast-growing Asian market where Australian and international expertise are in demand.

Willkie advised Excellence Logging

Willkie’s London, Houston and New York offices advised Excellence Logging, a portfolio company of private equity client Blue Water Energy, in its definitive agreement to acquire the surface data logging business of Weatherford International plc.

The London Real Estate Industry team advised Angelo, Gordon & Company on the joint venture acquisition for £97.1 million of the 150-year leasehold interest in 1-5 London Wall Buildings, EC2.

The 209,307 sq. ft. Grade II listed London City office complex produces an annual rent of £4 million from 36 tenants including co-working operator London Office Space. Angelo Gordon and its joint venture partner, Endurance Land, are planning to refurbish the historic building by 2022.

The Frankfurt Real Estate Industry team advised Godewind Immobilien AG on the acquisition of two office buildings in Hamburg-Eppendorf and Frankfurt by way of an asset deal. The total transaction volume amounts to €205 million.

The office properties have a total rental area of approx. 74,500 square meters and generate annual rental income of around €9.4 million with a vacancy rate of 21 percent. The transaction is expected be closed by the end of April 2019.

Transaction establishes Merck as a leader in emerging digital tracking, traceability, and monitoring technology.

Orrick advised Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank in the financing of CityFast’s acquisition of a Fiber to the Home (FTTH) network, built by Bouygues Telecom and located in highly populated areas of France. CityFast is a special purpose vehicle founded by Axione and Mirova.

Sidley advised Country Garden Holdings Company Limited(HKEX: 2007) (Country Garden) in connection with its partial repurchase of its existing zero coupon secured guaranteed convertible bonds due 2019. Concurrent with the repurchase, Sidley also advised Country Garden on its issuance of 4.5% secured guaranteed convertible bonds through a wholly-owned subsidiary and a derivative transaction of call spread overlay (consisting of purchased call options and written call options).

Global law firm White & Case LLP advised US methanol producer Natgasoline LLC and its shareholders, OCI N.V. and Consolidated Energy Limited, on an approximate US$900 million optimization of its capital structure.

The financing comprises a US$565 million Term Loan B with a seven-year term, a US$60 million revolving credit facility with a five-year term, and a US$336 million bond with a 13-year term, which was issued in the US market.

International law firm Ashurst has advised Siccar Point Energy on the increase of its existing reserve based lending facility ('RBL') from US$600 million to US$800 million. The agreement, reached with the participation of all Siccar Point Energy's existing banks, includes an extension of its maturity by two years, to 2025.

The Ashurst team was led by oil and gas financing partner Huw Thomas, assisted by associate Nicole Lim. The team worked closely with David Sheach, general counsel of Siccar Point Energy.