Freshfields is advising Universal Music Group (“UMG”) in connection with the acquisition by Pershing Square Tontine Holdings, Ltd. (“PSTH”) of 10% of UMG from Vivendi S.E. for approximately $4 billion, representing an enterprise value of UMG of €35 billion. Freshfields is also advising UMG on the expected distribution of 60% of UMG’s share capital to Vivendi shareholders and the listing of UMG on the Amsterdam stock exchange towards the end of September, subject to Vivendi shareholder approval. Details about the transaction can be found here and here.

The Freshfields team is led by partners Sebastian Fain and Pamela Marcogliese in New York and Dirk-Jan Smit in Amsterdam and includes support from corporate associates Zach Truscott, Mark Maarschalkerweerd, Maxine Lemstra and Nayoung Kwon in Amsterdam, Vinita Sithapathy, Khaair Morrison and Jack Liechtung in New York and Jennifer Brokamp in London. Corporate partners Hanneke Rothbarth in Amsterdam, Sarah Solum in Silicon Valley and Andrea Basham in New York are also providing advice in connection with the transaction. Employment advice is being provided by partners Brechje Nollen in Amsterdam and Maj Vaseghi in Silicon Valley. Partners Eelco Van Der Stok in Amsterdam and Claude Stansbury in Washington, DC are providing tax advice with support from associate Daan Van Schaik in Amsterdam. Counsel Richard Snyder is providing antitrust support from Washington, DC. Partner Michael Broeders and associates Hakan Gargili and Annemarie Van der Does Vos in Amsterdam are providing financing support.

ENDS