Cadwalader Antitrust Team Recognized for Its Work on Microsoft-Skype Deal

NEW YORK, April 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP (Cadwalader), a leading counselor to global financial institutions and corporations, announced today that the firm's work as antitrust counsel to Microsoft in its acquisition of Skype, led by partners Charles "Rick" Rule and Jonathan Kanter, was awarded "Merger Control Matter of the Year – Europe" at the Global Competition Review Awards 2012 held on March 27 in Washington, D.C. The Cadwalader team also included Special Counsel Amy Ray and associates Elizabeth Wright, Zachary Martin, Ngoc Hulbig and Nandu Macharaju.

"This was a major transatlantic deal, involving two household names, and the work done here was a model of how to conduct multiple approval processes," said Alec Burnside, E.U. competition law partner at Cadwalader's office in Brussels. "I am delighted that Cadwalader was able to work alongside others to generate a successful outcome for the client." 

Microsoft's $8.5 billion acquisition of Skype required regulatory approval in several jurisdictions including the U.S. and Europe. It received approval in the U.S. and from the European Commission in June and October 2011 respectively. The acquisition closed in October.

"I am pleased that our team's hard work and role in this transaction were recognized by Global Competition Review," remarked Rick Rule, head of the Firm's Antitrust Group, Managing Partner of the Washington Office and a member of the Firm's Management Committee.  "This transaction was a continuation of our longstanding relationship with Microsoft and I am pleased that we were able to assist them with this significant purchase."  

W. Christopher White, Cadwalader's Chairman added, "This award is testament to the Antitrust Group's ability to assist clients navigating the increasingly complex regulatory environment."

About Cadwalader, Wickersham and Taft LLP
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, established in 1792, is one of the world's leading international law firms, with offices in New York, London, Charlotte, Washington, Houston, Beijing, Hong Kong and Brussels.  Cadwalader serves a diverse client base, including many of the world's top financial institutions and corporations, undertaking business in more than 50 countries.  The firm offers legal expertise in antitrust, banking, business fraud, corporate finance, corporate governance, energy, environmental, financial restructuring, healthcare, intellectual property, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, private wealth, real estate, regulation, securitization, structured finance, and tax.  More information about Cadwalader can be found at www.cadwalader.com.

SOURCE Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP