IFLR Recognizes Ropes & Gray With Two Deal of the Year Awards

International Financial Law Review (IFLR) recognized Ropes & Gray with two prestigious awards for the firm’s international finance work at a banquet March 22 in London.

Ropes & Gray won IFLR’s 2011 “Restructuring Deal of the Year” award for its work representing certain mezzanine lenders to KCA Deutag oil services group. The firm also won “High Yield Deal of the Year” for its work advising Liberty Global Inc. in connection with the financing for its US$4.5 billion acquisition of KBW, Germany’s third-largest cable company.

“We are honored to receive this award from IFLR on a deal which highlighted our strengths as a firm with an integrated restructuring, finance and corporate team,” said a former London-based bankruptcy & business restructuring partner who led the group that advised certain mezzanine lenders to KCA Deutag along with London partner Jonathan Bloom. Added Jonathan: “Recognition of our representation of the mezzanine lenders in this transaction highlights the value we add in working with alternative capital providers in finding creative solutions to liquidity demands.”

Jane Rogers, the London-based finance partner led the Ropes & Gray team that advised Liberty Global, said, “It’s great to receive recognition for our work on a deal where we helped Liberty Global take an innovative and creative approach to structure and execution while reducing risks and costs.”

IFLR is a leading financial law resource for lawyers specializing in international finance in banks, corporations and private practice. Both Ropes & Gray teams received a glass trophy to commemorate the recognition.

KCA Deutag, an Aberdeen, Scotland-based company is one of the largest international land drilling contractors outside the Americas. Ropes & Gray advised certain mezzanine lenders including funds managed by EIG Management Company LLC and GoldenTree Asset Management LP, in connection with KCA Deutag’s financial restructuring.

Ropes & Gray represented Liberty Global Inc. in connection with the financing for its approximate €3.16 billion (US$4.48 billion) acquisition of Germany's third-largest cable TV operator Kabel BW Erste Beteiligungs GmbH (KBW), from Swedish private equity group EQT Partners AB. The transaction merged Germany's second- and third-largest cable companies.

During 2011, the firm’s London office handled a number of high-profile matters, including advising:

• TPG Capital in connection with its US$560 million acquisition of a 30 percent stake in Saxo Bank A/S, the Danish securities and forex brokerage, and asset management firm from Banco Espirito Santo SA and General Atlantic LLC.
• The mezzanine lenders providing €395 million of secured mezzanine debt in connection with the acquisition of Swedish security group, Securitas Direct AB, by Bain Capital and Hellman & Friedman.
• Together with our Hong Kong office, Bain Capital in connection with its US$1.3 billion acquisition of Australian company MYOB.
• Bormioli Rocco Holdings S.A. and VCP VII Luxco 6 S.A.R.L. in connection with the issuance of €250 million 10 percent Senior Secured Notes due 2018 of Bormioli Rocco Holdings S.A.
• Vision Capital in relation to its acquisition of a portfolio of assets from Banco Populare, including advising on a €260 million bridge loan to finance the acquisition and advising Vision Capital on the management incentive plan put in place in connection with the acquisition.
• Together with our Boston and New York offices, Altamont Capital Management LLC on its acquisition of insurance loss adjusters McLarens Young International and Airclaims Ltd.
• Together with our Boston office, Hanover Insurance Group Inc. on the financing of its acquisition of Chaucer Holdings Plc, the UK-based insurance group.