Noteworthy Work
K&L Gates Advises II-VI Incorporated on US$3.2 Billion Acquisition Agreement with Finisar Corporation
16 November 2018
Chicago - Global law firm K&L Gates LLP represented II-VI Incorporated (NASDAQ: IIVI), a leader in engineered materials and optoelectronic components, in its entry into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which it will acquire leading optical communications developer Finisar Corporation (NASDAQ: FNSR) in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately US$3.2 billion. Upon conclusion of the transaction, Finisar shareholders will own approximately 31 percent of the combined company.
The acquisition will create an industry-leading photonics and compound semiconductor company, employing 24,000 associates in 70 locations worldwide and serving a variety of markets including communications, consumer electronics, military, industrial processing lasers, automotive semiconductor equipment, and life sciences.
The K&L Gates cross-border team that advised II-VI was led by Chicago partner Mark McMillan. Other key team members from K&L Gates include corporate partners Michelle Repp (Pittsburgh) and John Blair (Charlotte), capital markets partner Jeff Acre (Pittsburgh), banking and asset finance partner Vanessa Spiro (Pittsburgh), antitrust, competition & trade regulation partners Allen Bachman (Washington, D.C.) and Lauren Donahue (Chicago), as well as corporate associates Leah Baucom (Charlotte), Mary Scott Kennedy (Charlotte), and Tami Mack (Pittsburgh).
McMillan commented: “We have been grateful to work with II-VI and its talented management team during a significant stage in its growth, and it has been particularly satisfying to help the company further strengthen its position in new and rapidly developing markets.”
The transaction is expected to close in mid-2019, subject to approvals by each company’s shareholders and antitrust regulatory authorities, as well as other customary closing conditions.
The acquisition will create an industry-leading photonics and compound semiconductor company, employing 24,000 associates in 70 locations worldwide and serving a variety of markets including communications, consumer electronics, military, industrial processing lasers, automotive semiconductor equipment, and life sciences.
The K&L Gates cross-border team that advised II-VI was led by Chicago partner Mark McMillan. Other key team members from K&L Gates include corporate partners Michelle Repp (Pittsburgh) and John Blair (Charlotte), capital markets partner Jeff Acre (Pittsburgh), banking and asset finance partner Vanessa Spiro (Pittsburgh), antitrust, competition & trade regulation partners Allen Bachman (Washington, D.C.) and Lauren Donahue (Chicago), as well as corporate associates Leah Baucom (Charlotte), Mary Scott Kennedy (Charlotte), and Tami Mack (Pittsburgh).
McMillan commented: “We have been grateful to work with II-VI and its talented management team during a significant stage in its growth, and it has been particularly satisfying to help the company further strengthen its position in new and rapidly developing markets.”
The transaction is expected to close in mid-2019, subject to approvals by each company’s shareholders and antitrust regulatory authorities, as well as other customary closing conditions.
K&L Gates is a fully integrated global law firm with lawyers located across five continents. The firm represents leading multinational corporations, growth and middle-market companies, capital markets participants and entrepreneurs in every major industry group as well as public sector entities, educational institutions, philanthropic organizations and individuals.
