London: stocking up

Global asset management leader JP Morgan Asset Management took over the recently launched JPMorgan Global Convertibles Income Fund under the counsel of Carey Olsen.
This month alone, JP Morgan Asset Management was listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange after raising a total of £136 million.
JPMorgan Global Convertibles Income Fund Limited will begin investing in these convertible bonds, which are known as debt equity hybrids, to focus on income opportunities from convertible debt investments.
The market leading offshore team consisting of 40-partners was led by corporate partner Graham Hall.

Russia: arctic adventure

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld has assisted client ExxonMobil on its technology-sharing joint venture with Rosneft to launch an Arctic Research Center (ARC) in Russia.
Partners Richard Wilkie and Alexey Kondratchik in Akin Gump’s Moscow office took the reins in advising ExxonMobil.
ExxonMobil is offering $200 million in initial research funding and the later $250 million will be equally funded by both ExxonMobil and Rosneft to further research efforts.  

Europe: investment fund

New York’s Debevoise & Plimpton assisted in the creation of TIAA Henderson Global Real Estate by partnering up leading financial services firm Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association - College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA-CREF) with one of Europe’s largest investment managers- Henderson.
London based partner Jeremy Hill and New York partner Peter Schuur headed the team to secure the deal, which is expected to close in early 2014.
The recent business endeavour marks the beginning of the real estate investment management company with a sum of $15.1 billion under its belt. The partnership will now be able to operate with a combined total of $64 billion putting it at the top of the real estate investment market. TIAA Henderson Global Real Estate will prepare for expansion while supplying clients with investment opportunities.

London: bond breaker

London based property investment company Helical Bar has resolved its £80 million retail bond issue with help from leading global law firm Mayer Brown.
Helical Bar focuses on high grossing property investments and central London projects.
London corporate and securities partner Kate Ball-Dodd and banking & finance partner James Taylor led the team resulting in the company diversifying its funding and improving its debt profile.

Russia: heavy metal

The London and Moscow offices of international law firm Debevoise & Plimpton has strapped down a 5 year unsecured syndicated loan facility deal totalling $2.1 billion for long term client OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel. Financers include 16-strong lender groups.  
The deal was led by partners Peter Hockless from the London based office and Alan Kartashkin from the Moscow office.
OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel has made its mark as a leading producer of metals in Russia.