James P. Hollihan has joined Duane Morris LLP’s Pittsburgh office as partner in the firm’s Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group. He was most recently a partner in Blank Rome LLP’s Pittsburgh office. Hollihan was previously with Duane Morris from 2003 to 2015.

“We are pleased to welcome Jim back home to Duane Morris,” said Matthew A. Taylor, CEO and Chairman of Duane Morris. “He adds additional depth to our labor and employment practice, strengthening our offerings across Pennsylvania and nationally.”

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP has announced that Stephen Fraidin will join the Firm’s New York office as a partner.

National law firm Shoosmiths has advised online estate agent Emoov on its merger with Tepilo, fellow online estate agent founded by TV presenter, Sarah Beeny - creating the UK's second-largest digital estate agency in the process.

The merger, which also includes recently acquired online letting agency, urban.co.uk, involved securing £15 million funding from existing and new shareholders, plus additional investment from Channel 4 and Northern & Shell, via Sky.

Allen & Overy has advised Pernod Ricard, the world’s second largest wines and spirits company on its joint venture with Yoma Strategic Holdings Ltd, Delta Capital Myanmar, and the Win Brothers in Myanmar.

Ashurst is advising Stafford Capital on its potential hostile takeover of Phaunos Timber Fund Limited, the possible terms of which were announced today. Under the terms of the possible offer, Phaunos shareholders would be entitled to receive US$0.49 per Phaunos share, which implies a total equity value for Phaunos of approximately US$244.2 million (on a fully diluted basis).

Under UK takeover rules, Stafford Capital has until 5.00 p.m. on 3 July 2018 to announce a firm intention to make an offer for Phaunos.

DLA Piper has advised the Swedish company Dustin Group AB (publ), one of the leading Nordic re-sellers of IT products and additional services, on its acquisition of the Finnish IT solutions company, ITaito Oy.

ITaito designs, implements and delivers heavy-duty IT solutions and expert services, and with this acquisition, Dustin Group will strengthen its position in Finland.

The Nottingham corporate team at Freeths law firm, has recently completed the 22nd acquisition for The Reflex Group.

Reflex was established by a team led by Ian Kendall, and Freeths advised on the initial funding and the first acquisition in 2002. The Company now employs 700 staff on 18 sites across the UK and sells over £100m of packaging a year.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP (‘Freshfields’) has advised JAB, a global investment firm, on its proposed acquisition of Pret A Manger (‘Pret’) from Bridgepoint, an international private equity firm and Pret’s majority owner, and other minority shareholders. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to complete during the second half of 2018.

Gowling WLG has advised leading video games maker Codemasters on its admission to the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange plc.

Codemasters - one of the oldest names in the UK video games industry - and its shareholders have raised £185m in an oversubscribed placing of existing shares and new shares. The Warwickshire-based company employs more than 500 people and is well known for developing high quality racing games, including the official range of Formula One racing games.

Linklaters advised CPI Property Group (CPIPG) on the acquisition of Atrium Centrum & Atrium Plaza office buildings from Peakside Capital Advisors. These seven-storey office buildings are located in the centre of Warsaw and their area exceeds 31,860 sqm.

The seller was a fund under management of Peakside Capital Advisors. The transaction was closed on 29th of May.

The Linklaters team was led by Warsaw real estate partner Janusz Dzianachowski and managing associate Marta Bijak-Haiduk and included also associates Ewa Sinkiewicz and Piotr Borzynski.