London

Cravath represented the administrative agent, sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner in connection with a £375 million term loan facility made available to Mars, Incorporated to finance the recommended acquisition of Hotel Chocolat Group plc. Mars, Incorporated is one of the world’s largest privately-held, family-owned businesses with a history of successfully building and growing market-leading consumer brands for over 100 years. The transaction closed on November 16, 2023.

Cravath represented the managers in connection with the €2 billion fixed‑to‑floating rate notes offering of JPMorgan Chase & Co., a leading global financial services firm. This offering was issued under JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s $65 billion Euro medium‑term note program. The transaction closed on November 13, 2023.

Cravath represented the European Investment Bank (“EIB”) in connection with its $4 billion registered notes offering. The purpose of the EIB is to contribute to the balanced and steady development of the internal market among Member States of the European Union. The notes were listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. The transaction closed on August 29, 2023.

Cravath represented the lead arrangers in connection with senior facilities to finance the pending acquisition of Palex Medical by funds advised by the private equity firms Apax Partners LLP and Fremman Capital. Palex Medical is a leading provider of high value‑added medical technology equipment and solutions in Southern Europe.

On May 12, 2023, AngloGold Ashanti, an independent, global gold mining company, announced that it has undertaken a comprehensive review of its domicile and listing structure and concluded that the most appropriate structure for AngloGold Ashanti Group is a UK corporate domicile with a U.S. primary listing on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and secondary listings on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (“JSE”) and A2X Markets (“A2X”) in South Africa and on the Ghana Stock Exchange (“GhSE”) in Ghana. Cravath is representing AngloGold Ashanti as U.S. counsel in connection with this matter.

On October 26, 2023, London’s The Times announced the inclusion of Cravath in its 2024 list of the “Best Law Firms.” The annual list recognizes “the best lawyers for business, public and private-client law” in England and Wales, and highlighted the work of Cravath’s London office, including its representation of the lead arrangers in connection with senior facilities to finance the pending acquisition of Palex Medical. This year’s list is the first year in which Cravath has been recognized and commends the Firm for its work in banking and finance.

On July 6, 2023, Cravath partner Philip J. Boeckman was named to India Business Law Journal’s 2023 “International A‑List.” The list recognizes “the foreign lawyers most recommended by clients and peers for their work on the cross‑border aspects of India‑related matters,” as nominated by professionals at a wide range of Indian and global companies and Indian law firms.

Cravath partner Nicholas A. Dorsey served as the co‑editor of the 2023 edition of the Chambers Acquisition Finance Guide, which is part of the publisher’s Global Practice Guide series. Nick also co‑authored, along with Cravath partners Ryan J. Patrone and Kelly M. Smercina and European Counsel Margaret R. M. Rallings, the U.S. chapter of the guide.

On May 21, 2023, Cravath partner Philip J. Boeckman was named to Financial News’ third annual “Fifty Most Influential Lawyers” list, which recognizes “the leading legal minds working in Europe on corporate deals.” The feature described Philip as having “a long and successful track record advising clients on initial public offerings, leveraged financings and other equity offerings.” The publication also highlighted his representation of HDFC Bank as U.S. counsel in its $40 billion merger with HDFC Limited, India’s largest‑ever M&A deal at the time of announcement, and of the European Investment Bank in its $4 billion registered notes offering of a Sustainability Awareness Bond.

Cravath partners Alyssa K. Caples and Kelly M. Smercina participated in the International Bar Association’s 38th International Financial Law Conference, which was held from May 10‑12, 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. Alyssa co‑chaired a panel entitled “Cutting the Apron Strings: the Start‑up’s Journey from VC Financing to IPO,” which reviewed key exit strategy considerations for start‑ups and venture capital funds and the benefits and disadvantages of the IPO route, including enhanced liquidity for investors, access to capital, maintenance of control and employee equity incentives, but also exposure to market volatility and regulatory burdens. Kelly spoke on a panel entitled “Here, There or Everywhere: Taking the Decision on Where to List and Why?,” which examined the current listing landscape and the competitive position of stock exchanges globally, including the current trends and future outlook of the IPO and listing market.