William E.H.McDonald (Will)

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Will McDonald is a corporate lawyer and works principally in the areas of private and public M&A and corporate finance, both in domestic and cross-border transactions. He advises across multiple industries, including aerospace and aviation, technology, real estate, and natural resources. Will has particular experience in UK public transactions, having been seconded for two years to the UK Takeover Panel as a case officer.

During his time at the Panel, he regulated more than 250 transactions governed by the Takeover Code, including Anheuser-Busch InBev's £71 billion offer for SABMiller, Zurich's abortive £6 billion bid for RSA, Liberty Global's £4 billion offer for Cable & Wireless Communications, Lonestar's £700m offer for Quintain Estates and Development, the competitive takeover of Salamander Energy by Ophir Energy, and the hostile takeover of ISG by Cathexis.

Recent transactions on which Will has advised includes Hansteen Holdings £500m takeover by funds advised by Blackstone, J.F. Lehman's acquisition of Global Marine Group, British Land's disposal of £429 million of Sainsbury's superstores to Realty Income Corporation, Roper Technologies' £410 million acquisition of the Foundry, and Huadong Medicine's £170m offer for Sinclair Pharma plc.

Experience

  • J.F. Lehman & Company acquires Mission MicrowaveJones Day advised J.F. Lehman & Company in the acquisition and financing of all of the outstanding membership interests of Mission Microwave Technologies, LLC, a revolutionary designer of radio frequency and microwave electronics supporting ground-based, airborne and space-based applications.
  • Verint acquires QudiniJones Day advised Verint in the acquisition of Qudini Limited, a provider of appointment scheduling solutions.
  • J.F. Lehman sells offshore support vessel Global SymphonyJones Day advised J.F. Lehman & Company and its portfolio company, Global Marine, in the sale of the Global Symphony offshore support vessel to Jan de Nul Group, and sale of other related assets to another strategic investor.
  • Macquarie acquires Euston Solar FarmJones Day advised Macquarie in the acquisition of 100% of the shares in Euston Solar Farm Limited, a UK-based renewable energy developer focused primarily on the development of utility-scale solar plants.
  • Web Financial Group sells all its technology business to AllfundsJones Day represented Web Financial Group, S.A. in the sale of all its technology business to Allfunds, one of the world’s leading B2B WealthTech platforms for the fund industry.
  • Macquarie Asset Management acquires 50% shareholding in Island Green PowerJones Day advised Macquarie Asset Management ("MAM"), via Macquarie Green Investment Group Renewable Energy Fund 2 ("MGREF2"), in its acquisition of 50% of the shares in Island Green Power Limited, a UK-based renewable energy developer focused primarily on the development of utility-scale solar plants.
  • Sun Communities acquires Park Holidays UK for $1.3 billionJones Day advised Sun Communities, Inc. on its acquisition of Park Holidays UK for approximately $1.3 billion.
  • J.F. Lehman portfolio company acquires Tube TechJones Day advised long-standing client J.F. Lehman & Company, a leading mid-market private equity firm focused on the defense, aerospace, and maritime sections, in connection with the acquisition by portfolio company Integrated Global Services, Inc., a leading provider of thermal spray and other surface protection solutions, of international cleaning and inspections solutions provider, Tube Tech.
  • MassMutual partners with Low Carbon to accelerate transition to renewable energyJones Day advised Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) on its debt and equity investment in Low Carbon Energy Holdings Limited (“Low Carbon”), a subsidiary of Low Carbon Limited, an established pan-European renewable energy developer and fund manager.
  • Bally's acquires Gamesys for $2.7 billionJones Day advised Bally's Corporation in connection with the $2.7 billion acquisition and financing of Gamesys Ltd., an LSE-listed online gaming company.
  • DMI secures strategic investment from OceanSound PartnersJones Day advised DMI in its strategic investment from an affiliate of OceanSound Partners, LP.
  • J.F. Lehman & Company sells BEI PrecisionJones Day advised J.F. Lehman & Company in the sale of BEI Precision Systems & Space Company, Inc. to Quantic Corporate Holdings, Inc., a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management.
  • TransDigm Group sells Technical Airborne Components to Searchlight Capital PartnersJones Day advised TransDigm Group Incorporated in the sale of Technical Airborne Components, a leading designer and manufacturer of rods and struts for the aerospace industry, to Searchlight Capital Partners.
  • J.F. Lehman & Company acquires Trillium Engineering, LLCJones Day advised J.F. Lehman & Company, a leading middle-market private equity firm focused exclusively on the aerospace, defense, maritime, government and environmental sectors, on its acquisition of a substantial investment in Trillium Engineering, LLC, a leading designer and manufacturer of highly engineered camera gimbals for unmanned aerial systems ("UAS") performing mission-critical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, from its founders.
  • British Land sells 75% interest in London's West End offices for £401 millionJones Day advised The British Land Company PLC on the sale of a 75% interest in a portfolio of three buildings in London's West End to Allianz Real Estate for £401 million.
  • TransDigm Group acquires Cobham Aero Connectivity for $965 millionJones Day advised TransDigm Group Incorporated as regulatory counsel in the $965 million acquisition of Cobham Aero Connectivity, a leading provider of highly engineered antennas and radios for the aerospace end market.
  • J.F. Lehman & Company acquires CTS EnginesJones Day advised J.F. Lehman & Company, a leading middle-market private equity firm focused exclusively on the aerospace, defense, maritime, government and environmental sectors, in the acquisition of CTS Engines, LLC and CTS Testing, LLC.
  • Swissport completes cross-border restructuringJones Day has advised sponsor, HNA, on the cross-border restructuring of the air freight and logistics business, Swissport.
  • Koch Equity Development invests preferred equity in AIM listed Victoria plcJones Day advised Koch Equity Development LLC ("KED"), the acquisition and investment subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc., on its investment into AIM listed Victoria plc ("Victoria"), a UK-based global designer, manufacturer, and distributor of flooring products.
  • L Brands announces partnership with Next PLC for Victoria's Secret UKJones Day represented L Brands, Inc. in its partnership with Next PLC for its company-owned Victoria's Secret business in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
    • View All

    January 2022 White Paper

    2021 Transactional Year in Review and 2022 Forecast

    November 2020 White Paper

    UK Takeover Panel's Code Committee Proposes Changes to Treatment of Offer Conditions and Offer Timetable

    November 2018 Jones Day Publications

    The Main Market & AIM

    October 2018 External Publications

    UK Cites Security Reasons for Proposed Deal Notification Regime, M&A Lawyer

    August 2018 Jones Day Publications

    UK Cites Security Reasons for Proposed Deal Notification Regime

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