US: Freshfields and Linklaters to share $261m in legal fees on megabrew deal

AB InBev shelled out $185m in legal fees, out of a total of $1.73bn paid out to other advisers including accountants and bankers.

Freshfields is the lead adviser to AB InBev and is expected to take the largest cut of the legal fees. The firm’s team on the deal comprises London M&A partner Mark Rawlinson, London head of corporate Simon Marchant and antitrust partner John Davies.

Clifford Chance will also cash in, having advised the controlling shareholders of AB InBev, with a team led by global head of corporate Guy Norman and London corporate partner Patrick Sarch.

The firm is also advising the company on the financing of the transaction, with a team led by finance partners Roderick McGillivray and Peter Dahlen in London.

US firms Cravath Swaine & Moore and Sullivan & Cromwell advised on US law aspects of the deal

Meanwhile, Linklaters stands to benefit from the $76m -worth of legal fees spent by SABMiller. The firm is advising the brewer on the deal with a team led by corporate partners Nick Rumsby and Charlie Jacobs. Brussels-based partner Gerwin Van Gerven is advising on competition issues.

Full Content: Legal Week

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