Quick Look at a Cross-Border Deal

Recently, in the Mergers, Acquisitions, and Split-Ups course here at Harvard Law, co-taught by Professor Robert Clark and Vice Chancellor Leo Strine, Jr., two expert practitioners shared their insights on the complex cross-border transactions that increasingly define the M&A landscape. While the panelists provided guidance on the economic reasoning underlying cross-border deals, the discussion also featured fascinating perspectives on the social and political considerations that accompany most major international mergers.

The panelists included Richard Hall of Cravath, Swaine & Moore along with Scott V. Simpson of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, each of whom have served as counsel on some of the largest cross-border deals ever to close. The panelists took students through case studies of two recent cross-border deals that illustrate the sensitive issues that corporate counselors face in a major international merger: Mittal Steel’s acquisition of Arcelor, and Basell’s acquisition of Huntsman. The panelists offered an insider’s view of the negotiations in both transactions–and the social and political matters that inevitably arise when a foreign acquirer pursues a large target.

A video of the discussion can be accessed online here. (video no longer available)