(November 23, 2009, Weil Gotshal News)
Avaya Inc.’s proposed acquisition of Nortel’s Enterprise Solutions business has received antitrust clearance from the US and European competition authorities. Weil, Gotshal & Manges is representing Avaya with respect to global antitrust matters relating to this transaction.
The combination of two of the worldwide telecommunications vendors, US-based Avaya and Nortel Enterprise Solutions of Canada, received clearance in the US on November 10, 2009. In the US, the deal was granted early termination of the antitrust waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (“HSR Act”). The European Commission cleared the transaction under the EU Merger Regulation on November 18, 2009. Subject to additional regulatory review, the transaction is expected to close in December 2009.
The Weil antitrust team representing Avaya included attorneys from the firm’s Washington, DC and London offices. Partners Steve Newborn and Steve Bernstein (both DC) led the global antitrust team and handled the US review assisted by associates Jonathan Sickler, Jeff White, Kristina Sadlak and Sarah Auchterlonie. Partners Lee Van Voorhis (DC) and Doug Nave (London) and associate Juliette Enser (London) handled the EU review.