DLA Piper announced today that Emilio Ragosa has joined the firm's Corporate practice as a partner in Short Hills, New Jersey.

Ragosa counsels clients on public offerings, mergers and acquisitions and venture capital transactions, with a focus on the life science and technology industries. He has represented both public and private companies, as well as venture capital firms and underwriters. Given his experience, he is uniquely able to advise clients throughout their business life cycle from formation to a sale or IPO.

Kirkland & Ellis advised Strategic Value Partners in its acquisition of Vita Group from TPG and its minority shareholders, for an undisclosed sum. Vita, which is based in the UK with a presence across Europe and in the US & China develops, manufactures and markets flexible polyurethane (PU), Talalay latex and flooring products. The transaction was completed on May 10, 2018.

Shearman & Sterling advised frostkrone Group, a portfolio company of Emeram Capital Partners and one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of frozen convenience food, on the financing of the acquisition of Piz’Wich, a specialist manufacturer of on-the-go frozen snack products. Sellers are, inter alia, Piz’Wich’s management as well as the France-based private equity investment company Ardian.

Shearman & Sterling advised Malaysian national oil company Petroliam Nasional Berhad (“PETRONAS”) in connection with the completion of an investment by the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (“Saudi Aramco”) in PETRONAS’ Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (“RAPID”) project in Johor State, Malaysia.

Sidley advised Sun European Partners LLP, the European adviser to Sun Capital Partners, Inc., on the proposed acquisition of ESIM Chemicals GmbH, a leading Austrian fine chemical manufacturer and top three crop protection CMO player in Europe, from Ardian. The proposed transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals.

Ashurst advised Jefferies International Limited and Akur Limited in connection with a placing of 109.4 million new ordinary shares in Tritax Big Box REIT plc, the only listed vehicle dedicated to investing in large logistics warehouse assets. The placing, representing approximately 8% of the company's existing total issued ordinary share capital, raised gross proceeds of approximately £155.6 million. 

Dentons has advised Lloyds Bank plc on circa £175 million of senior real estate finance investment facilities to a special purpose vehicle within the Chen group of companies to acquire 5 Churchill Place in London's Canary Wharf. Mezzanine debt was provided by a large international multi-profile business conglomerate.

Dentons has advised Aflaj International LLC, a Muscat-based real estate developer, on their role in respect of a new 11,000 sq m residential development within Muscat Hills integrated tourism complex.

Aflaj is a shareholder in Maysan Properties SAOC, a company that was established earlier this year to undertake the development. Dentons advised both on the establishment of the project company and the related joint venture agreement.

Linklaters advised the lenders on the £68.4 million holdco financing of the operational Brockloch Rig and Crystal Rig III onshore wind farms in Scotland.

Linklaters Stockholm M&A Real Estate team advised EQT Real Estate I fund in the acquisition of the property Hönsfodret 1 on the island Södermalm (Stockholm) by way of a share transfer from an affiliate of the Swedish insurance company Folksam. The underlying property value amounts to approx. SEK 345 million (EUR 33 m) before adjustment for latent capital gain taxes and the investment represents EQT Real Estate’s seventh to date and second in Sweden. Built in 1981, the asset covers 9,100 sq.m.