Paris Teams Pounce On M&A Bonanza

A slew of leading corporate teams in Paris has picked up roles on two headline M&A deals worth a combined €4.2bn.

The largest of the two transactions saw Schneider Electric and Alstom win the tender for Areva T&D, which was launched in December and reported by TopLegal International. The two companies will buy the business from AREVA for €3.04bn. Under the terms of the agreement, Schneider will assume one third of the equity value and of the acquired debt.

Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier was counsel to Alstom while Schneider Electric turned to Linklaters. Gide Loyrette Nouel, Davis Polk & Wardwell and Bredin Prat worked for the sellers.

The second deal saw French construction player Vinci agree to pick up Cegelec for €1.27bn. The company was being sold by Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment and 31.5m Vinci shares will be exchanged for the entire Cegelec share capital.

Once again Darrois Villey was involved, this time working for Qatari Diar. The firm advised the company when it first bought Cegelec group from LBO France. Vinci called in Weil Gotshal & Manges.