Consumer & Retail

Fact Sheet

Experience

  • Personal Care/ Health/ Beauty

    • Nestlé Skin Health in its $1 billion acquisition of Guthy Renker’s worldwide Proactiv business, the world’s leading non-prescription acne brand.
    • One of the largest food, health and nutrition manufacturers in the world in connection with an investment in a healthcare product development company and commercial engine focused on skincare and other health, beauty and wellness categories.
    • Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in its $415 million acquisition of High Ridge Brands, the largest North American consolidation platform focused on acquiring orphaned personal care brands, from Brynwood Partners.
    • Two private equity firms in their $125 million investment in the world's second-largest razor blade manufacturer.
    • Johnson & Johnson in its acquisition from AstraZeneca of the global rights outside of the U.S. to Rhinocort Aqua, a line of nasal sprays used to treat allergies.
    • Johnson & Johnson in the sale of its worldwide intimate health business to Reckitt Benckiser, a UK-based consumer goods company.
    • DLI Holding Corp, the parent of Del Laboratories, a Kelso & Company portfolio company, in its acquisition by Coty, a leading global beauty and fragrance company.
    • High Ridge Brands, a leading personal care consumer products company and a Clayton, Dubilier & Rice portfolio company, in the financing aspects of its acquisition of Dr. Fresh.
    • Tambrands in defending several hundred toxic shock syndrome cases. In this capacity, we handled every aspect of the company’s cases throughout the country, as well as in Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia, including formulating national strategy; preparing cases for trial and trying the cases; selecting and preparing all company witnesses and expert witnesses; negotiating or supervising local counsel in negotiating all settlements and handling all related appellate work.
    • Bayer, in obtaining a preliminary injunction against the illegal importation of foreign pet medicines into the United States.
    • L’Oréal in false advertising litigation against Neutrogena related to the parties’ advertisements for their respective sun screen products.

  • Food and Beverage

    • Casa Azul Spirits in the successful defense against trademark infringement claims brought by Casa Tradicíon, the maker of Clase Azul tequila, in an action that challenged the CASA AZUL trademark for tequila and tequila soda.
    • Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in its acquisition of Shearer’s Foods, a leading contract manufacturer and private label supplier in the snack industry in North America.
    • Development Partners International in the formation of a co-investment fund as part of an equity investment by ADP Fund III in Kazyon Limited, the UK parent of the largest discount retailer in Egypt “Kazyon”.
    • Pernod Ricard in its acquisition of a majority stake in Skrewball, a super-premium and fast-growing flavored whiskey.
    • Pernod Ricard in its acquisition of a majority stake in Código 1530 Ultra Premium and Prestige Tequila.
    • Albertsons in the antitrust aspects of its sale to Kroger at a total enterprise value of approximately $24.6 billion.
    • Kelso & Company and its portfolio company, Eagle Family Foods Group, in their acquisition of General Mills’ Helper main meals and Suddenly Salad side dishes businesses, in a transaction valued at approximately $610 million.
    • Helios Investment Partners, the leading Africa-focused private investment firm, in its sale of a 49% stake in GBfoods Africa, one of Africa's largest FMCG groups.
    • Pernod Ricard in its acquisition of the remaining stake in Avión Tequila.
    • Ambev S.A. in the acquisition of a 30% interest in Cervecería Nacional Dominicana (CND), the leading beer company in the Caribbean, and the restructuring of its joint venture with E. León Jimenes, in a transaction valued at $926.5 million.
    • Eagle Foods, a Kelso & Company portfolio company, in its acquisition of Popcorn, Indiana, a maker of ready-to-eat popcorn products.
    • Helios Investment Partners in the formation of a joint-venture with GBfoods targeting the African fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, creating one of Africa's largest FMCG groups, operating in 30 African countries, including leadership positions in Nigeria and Ghana.
    • Pernod Ricard in its $600 million bond issue due 2026.
    • Kelso & Company in its acquisition of the J.M. Smucker Company’s U.S. canned milk brands and operations.
    • Pernod Ricard in its €500 million offering of 1.875% notes due 2023.

  • E-Commerce

    • Alibaba in the joint venture of its AliExpress business in Russia with the Russian Direct Investment Fund, MegaFon and Mail.ru, aimed at integrating Russia’s key consumer internet and e-commerce platforms.
    • Amazon in its $545 million acquisition of Quidsi, which operates Diapers.com, an online baby care specialty site, Soap.com, an online site for everyday essentials, and BeautyBar.com, a prestige beauty boutique.
    • J.P. Morgan Securities, as financial advisor to Walmart, in Walmart's $3.3 billion acquisition of Jet.com.
    • Helios Investment Partners in its investment in MallforAfrica, a Nigerian e-commerce company.
    • Amazon in its acquisition of Goodreads.

  • Luxury

    • The Marandi family in its acquisition of The Conran Shop.
    • The Marandi family in its acquisition of ASHS Limited, the company operating under the Anya Hindmarch brand, from Mayhoola for Investments.
    • Yves Saint Laurent in defeating a motion for a preliminary injunction by Christian Louboutin over YSL’s red-soled shoes, and subsequently obtaining dismissal of all claims by the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
    • Prada in defending against copyright infringement claims brought by a textile manufacturer in federal court in the Central District of California.
    • A leading high fashion luxury goods company advising on its defense of an employment discrimination and retaliation lawsuit brought by a former employee.
    • Louis Vuitton in successfully resolving litigation involving infringement of its trademark Epi design.

  • Retail

    • Relevant parties in the financing aspects of the £2.5 billion acquisition of 337 petrol forecourts in the UK, and more than 400 associated sites.
    • B&M in the offering of £250 million of 8.125% senior secured notes due 2030, as well as the concurrent tender offer of a portion of its existing 3.625% senior secured notes due 2025.
    • B&M in the refinancing of its existing senior credit facilities with a new senior facilities agreement, which comprises a £225 million term loan facility and a £225 million revolving credit facility.
    • Market Bidco Finco Plc, an indirect subsidiary of funds managed or advised by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, in the offerings of £1.075 billion and €545 million of senior secured fixed rate notes relating to the financing of CD&R’s acquisition of Wm Morrison Supermarkets Limited.
    • Elbrus Capital in its investment in VseInstrumenti.ru, the largest online retailer of DIY goods in Russia.
    • Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in financing aspects of its £7 billion recommended cash offer for Morrisons.
    • Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in its acquisition of a significant stake in one of the largest UK retailers.
    • Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in its acquisition of a significant stake in B&M Retail.
    • B&M in its £250 million bond offering of 4.125% senior secured notes due 2022, and its related refinancing of certain of its existing senior credit facilities.
    • Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in the financing and certain other aspects of its acquisition of BUT, the largest furniture retailer network in France, in a 50:50 partnership with WM Holding, a company related to the XXXLutz Group.
    • Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in the sale of an approximately 12% stake in B&M for £408 million.
    • David's Bridal, a Clayton, Dubilier & Rice portfolio company, in its $270 million offering of 7.75% senior notes due 2020.
    • Sears Holding Corporation in its sale of up to 23.1 million shares of common stock of Sears Hometown and Outlet stores.
    • Bain Capital, Carlyle and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in the financings for the $8.5 billion acquisition of HD Supply from The Home Depot.
    • Capital Group and AIG Capital Partners, owners with Cencosud of Jumbo Argentina, in Jumbo Argentina’s $315 million acquisition with the International Finance Corporation of the Disco unit of Royal Ahold.
    • Internal investigation for the Audit Committee of Office Depot relating to accounting and disclosure issues.
    • Office Depot's special review committee in matters relating to shareholder derivative actions.

  • Other Consumer Goods and Services

    • TPG in its acquisition of Classic Collision, a leading national collision repair multi-site operator.
    • Core & Main and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in its $1 billion secondary public offering and concurrent purchase and redemption of Core & Main class A common stock and partnership interests of Core & Main Holdings, LP.
    • Core & Main and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in its $791 million secondary public offering and concurrent purchase and redemption of Core & Main class A common stock and partnership interests of Core & Main Holdings, LP.
    • Core & Main and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in an $817 million secondary public offering and concurrent purchase and redemption of Core & Main class A common stock and partnership interests of Core & Main Holdings, LP.
    • Core & Main and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in a $667 million secondary public offering and concurrent purchase and redemption of Core & Main class A common stock and partnership interests of Core & Main Holdings, LP.
    • Core & Main and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in a $536 million secondary public offering of Core & Main class A common stock and concurrent purchase and redemption of Core & Main class A common stock and partnership interests of Core & Main Holdings, LP.
    • Core & Main and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in a $443 million secondary public offering and concurrent purchase and redemption of Core & Main class A common stock and partnership interests of Core & Main Holdings, LP.
    • Inovar Packaging Group in its acquisition of Cimarron Label and Western Printing, a label printing provider.
    • Morgan Stanley Capital Partners in its acquisition of Fairway Lawns, a residential lawncare services provider.
    • S&S Activewear, a leading American imprintable apparel wholesale company and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice portfolio company, in its acquisition of TSF Sportswear, a multi-line wholesaler.
    • Core & Main, a Clayton, Dubilier & Rice portfolio company and a leading specialized distributor of water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products, and related services, and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in a $520 million secondary public offering of Core & Main class A common stock.
    • S&S Activewear in its acquisition of TSC Apparel, a leading national distributor of blank apparel and accessories.
    • Core & Main, a Clayton, Dubilier & Rice portfolio company, in its $803 million initial public offering.
    • Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in its $6 billion acquisition and subsequent combination of Fort Dearborn and Multi-Color Corporation, to create the world's largest label solutions company.
    • Morgan Stanley Capital Partners in its acquisition of Sila, a heating and air company that offers HVAC, plumbing, indoor air quality, and home automation systems in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States.
    • Independent Committee of the Board of Directors of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in its $365 million sale to Sequential Brands.
    • New York-Based Hedge Fund in its distressed investment in, and ultimate control acquisition of, an American clothing manufacturer and distributor.
    • Dealer Tire in its sale of the assets of Dealer Tire Canada to Groupe Touchette.
    • Hertz in its $2.5 billion spin-off of its equipment and rental business.
    • Morgan Stanley, as financial advisor to World Kitchen, a leading multinational manufacturer and marketer of houseware products, in the $566 million sale of World Kitchen to GP Investments Acquisition Corp. (Terminated)
    • A consumer products company in an ad hoc arbitration in Paris involving a dispute between joint venture partners about the existence of an obligation to contribute individually acquired products to the joint venture for marketing.
    • A major consumer electronics company with respect to allegations that its external storage devices created security risks on personal computers.
    • HarbourVest Partners in a newly established fund managed by Nova Capital with equity provided by Nova Capital’s limited partners, including Nova, and secondary funds managed by HarbourVest Partners and Landmark Partners, which fund was established to acquire a portfolio of businesses within Newell Rubbermaid’s Hardware group in North America for $214 million.
    • Oriental Trading Company in its sale to Berkshire Hathaway.
    • Carlyle in its acquisition of Oriental Trading Company from Brentwood Associates.
    • Hasbro in its reacquisition of video game rights from Infogrames Entertainment and related licensing of Dungeons and Dragons, Monopoly and certain other properties.
    • The Gitano Group, a major apparel company, in its out-of-court restructuring and subsequent Section 363 sale to Fruit of the Loom.