Global law firm White & Case LLP has secured the #1 spot in M&A by deal value in both Italy and France for H1 2024, according to research by LSEG Data & Analytics (formerly Refinitiv).
These achievements mark an improvement on last year, when the Firm ranked #6 by deal value in Italy and #8 in France.
Italy
Work highlights from the Italian M&A team in the first half of the year include representing:
- Funds managed by Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners on the €1.6 billion acquisition of a minority interest in Salcef Group from its majority shareholders and the subsequent delisting of Salcef Group
- I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A. and its controlling shareholders on a €4.9 billion investment from BDT & MSD Partners, who purchased the stake from BC Partners
- Eni S.p.A. on the US$4.9 billion acquisition of Neptune Energy Group Limited, an independent exploration and production company
- De' Longhi S.p.A. on the US$1.4 billion business combination between coffee-machine makers La Marzocco International and Eversys
Michael Immordino, partner, said: "It is nice to see the hard work of the Firm's Italian team recognized. Being ranked #1 by LSEG is a testament to our long-term commitment and multi-jurisdictional offering and expertise. These rankings reflect our investment in lasting relationships with our clients and their trust in the team."
France
In France the M&A team handled several high-profile deals in H1 2024, including representing:
- Sodexo on the spin-off of its Benefits & Rewards Services division, operating under a company named Pluxee, and listing Pluxee shares on Euronext Paris
- Groupe BPCE on its acquisition of Société Générale Equipment Finance, a European provider of industrial equipment lease financing
- TotalEnergies on the acquisition of Malaysian independent gas producer and operator SapuraOMV, from Sapura and OMV
- Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners on its €535 million acquisition of a 70 percent majority stake in UltraEdge, the spin-off of Altice France's data center business
Marc Petitier, partner, said: "Being recognized as the number one law firm for French M&A by LSEG is a reflection of our unparalleled expertise in navigating the intricacies of highly complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions, including those involving listed companies. This accolade reflects our unwavering commitment to our clients to deliver excellence and innovation in the legal field."
