Featured Stories
Steptoe Earns Impressive Rankings on The American Lawyer 2026 Pro Bono Scorecard
WASHINGTON, July 10 -- Steptoe, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Steptoe Earns Impressive Rankings on The American Lawyer 2026 Pro Bono Scorecard
Steptoe has ranked 18th in the national category and 52nd in the international category on The American Lawyer's 2026 Pro Bono Scorecard, again showcasing the firm's lasting commitment to pro bono legal work.
In 2025, Steptoe donated more than 40,000 hours of pro bono legal service, an increase from over 33,000 hours in 2024, and its highest total number of pro bono hours in recent history. Steptoe's national pro bono ranking of
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WASHINGTON, July 10 -- Steptoe, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Steptoe Earns Impressive Rankings on The American Lawyer 2026 Pro Bono Scorecard
Steptoe has ranked 18th in the national category and 52nd in the international category on The American Lawyer's 2026 Pro Bono Scorecard, again showcasing the firm's lasting commitment to pro bono legal work.
In 2025, Steptoe donated more than 40,000 hours of pro bono legal service, an increase from over 33,000 hours in 2024, and its highest total number of pro bono hours in recent history. Steptoe's national pro bono ranking of18 reflects a level of engagement that far exceeds the firm's size. The firm' continues to deliver an outsized impact in providing legal services to those in need.
Pro bono partner Paul Lee said: "We at Steptoe are incredibly proud of our sustained commitment to our pro bono work. Our lawyers consistently step up to serve individuals and communities in need. This work not only makes a meaningful difference for our clients, but also deepens our own culture and underscores what it means to be a part of Steptoe."
The national rankings measure Am Law 200 firms by the average number of pro bono hours per US-based lawyer and the percentage of lawyers who performed at least 20 hours of pro bono work. The international rankings reflect the same metrics performed by attorneys based outside the US. Steptoe's rankings highlights the firm's growing global and local commitments to pro bono service.
Steptoe additionally ranked 11th in average pro bono hours per US-based attorney, with 92.3 hours per lawyer, alongside ranking 33rdin breadth of commitment, measuring the percentage of attorneys who perform more than 20 hours of pro bono work, with 59.8% of Steptoe attorneys.
Public service remains a cornerstone of Steptoe's identity. The firm's pro bono efforts span a wide range of issues, including immigration, civil rights, criminal justice reform, and support for nonprofit organizations.
Read more about The American Lawyer's Pro Bono Scorecard on their website (https://www.law.com/2026/07/07/the-2026-pro-bono-scorecard-national-report/).
Learn more about Steptoe's pro bono service (https://www.steptoe.com/en/pro-bono-service/index.html).
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About Steptoe
In more than 110 years of practice, Steptoe has earned an international reputation for vigorous representation of clients and innovative thinking before governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and creative and practical advice in structuring business transactions. Steptoe has more than 500 lawyers and other professional staff across offices in Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.
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Original text here: https://www.steptoe.com/en/news-publications/steptoe-earns-impressive-rankings-on-the-american-lawyer-2026-pro-bono-scorecard.html
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Squire Patton Boggs Advises Kimball Electronics on Acquisition of Helvoet in Netherlands
TYSONS, Virginia, July 10 -- Squire Patton Boggs, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Squire Patton Boggs Advises Kimball Electronics on Acquisition of Helvoet in Netherlands
Squire Patton Boggs has advised Kimball Electronics, Inc. (Nasdaq: KE) on its acquisition of Helvoet Polymer Technologies B.V. ("Helvoet"), a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), based in Europe and with operations in India focused on microfluidics, diagnostics, and drug delivery. The transaction was valued at a purchase price of Euros90 million (excluding working capital, other customary
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TYSONS, Virginia, July 10 -- Squire Patton Boggs, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Squire Patton Boggs Advises Kimball Electronics on Acquisition of Helvoet in Netherlands
Squire Patton Boggs has advised Kimball Electronics, Inc. (Nasdaq: KE) on its acquisition of Helvoet Polymer Technologies B.V. ("Helvoet"), a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), based in Europe and with operations in India focused on microfluidics, diagnostics, and drug delivery. The transaction was valued at a purchase price of Euros90 million (excluding working capital, other customaryadjustments, and acquisition-related costs), or approximately $103 million, representing approximately 9x estimated adjusted EBITDA for Helvoet in calendar 2026.
The cross-border team was led by Corporate partner Selma Baouch and included Thijs van der Vegt from the Amsterdam, John Woodruff in the Houston and Evan Toebbe in the Cincinnati office.
Kimball Electronics, Inc. is headquartered in Jasper, Indiana. Kimball Electronics is a global, multifaceted manufacturer offering Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) and Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO) solutions to customers around the world.
Based in the Netherlands, Helvoet was founded in 1939 and most recently operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hydratec Industries N.V., with manufacturing facilities in Tilburg, Netherlands, and Pune, India.
Helvoet is a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) for high-performance components in polymers and elastomers used in critical applications across health tech, food tech, new energy and mobility. They co-develop, manufacture and assemble precision components that meet the demands of regulated and high-performance environments.
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URL: Kimball Electronics Inc.
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Original text here: https://www.squirepattonboggs.com/news/squire-patton-boggs-advises-kimball-electronics-on-acquisition-of-helvoet-in-netherlands/
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Polsinelli Secures Landmark Washington Tax Victory for First Data in Interchange Fee Dispute
KANSAS CITY, Missouri, July 10 -- Polsinelli, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Polsinelli Secures Landmark Washington Tax Victory for First Data in Interchange Fee Dispute
Polsinelli recently represented First Data Merchant Services LLC (First Data), a wholly owned subsidiary of Fiserv, in a landmark Washington State tax dispute involving the application of Washington's Business & Occupation (B&O) tax to interchange fees generated through credit and debit card transactions.
First Data sought a declaration that interchange fees retained by issuing banks should not be attributed
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KANSAS CITY, Missouri, July 10 -- Polsinelli, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Polsinelli Secures Landmark Washington Tax Victory for First Data in Interchange Fee Dispute
Polsinelli recently represented First Data Merchant Services LLC (First Data), a wholly owned subsidiary of Fiserv, in a landmark Washington State tax dispute involving the application of Washington's Business & Occupation (B&O) tax to interchange fees generated through credit and debit card transactions.
First Data sought a declaration that interchange fees retained by issuing banks should not be attributedto acquiring institutions or payment processors for purposes of calculating taxable revenue. Following a full bench trial in Thurston County Superior Court in March 2024, the court ruled entirely in First Data's favor. The court found that interchange fees are discounts retained by issuing banks before funding cardholder transactions, that First Data never receives those amounts, and that the fees do not accrue to First Data under generally accepted accounting principles. The decision carried nationwide significance for the payment processing industry and implicated billions of dollars in transaction volume.
The State appealed, and in February 2026 Division III of the Washington State Court of Appeals unanimously affirmed the trial court's judgment. The Court of Appeals held that, regardless of contractual language between processors and merchants, First Data was never legally entitled to receive interchange fees from merchants and therefore those amounts could not be included in its taxable gross income. The court further recognized that issuing banks are separate legal entities that provide the funding services for which interchange fees are paid, making those fees consideration to the issuing banks and not consideration for any service processors provide.
Importantly, on June 3, 2026, the Washington Supreme Court denied the Department of Revenue's petition for review, leaving the unanimous Court of Appeals decision intact and bringing the matter to a successful conclusion for First Data. The published appellate opinion represents a significant precedent for the payment processing industry and provides important guidance regarding the treatment of interchange fees under Washington tax law.
Shareholder John Peterson led the litigation team serving as lead trial counsel and also presented oral argument before the Court of Appeals. He was supported by Shareholder Matthew S. Knoop and Associate Julia Roberts.
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URL: First Data Merchant Services
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Original text here: https://www.polsinelli.com/news/polsinelli-secures-landmark-washington-tax-victory-first-data-interchange-fee-dispute
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Polsinelli Advises CMS and GEAC on Sale to BP Environmental Services
KANSAS CITY, Missouri, July 10 -- Polsinelli, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Polsinelli Advises CMS and GEAC on Sale to BP Environmental Services
Polsinelli recently represented two founder-led companies, Commercial Management Systems (CMS) and General Equipment Acceptance Corporation (GEAC), in their sale to BP Environmental Services (BP), a leading provider of mission-critical waste, recycling and jobsite solutions for multi-location customers across North America.
Through this strategic transaction, CMS and GEAC bring expanded managed services and equipment leasing capabilities
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KANSAS CITY, Missouri, July 10 -- Polsinelli, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Polsinelli Advises CMS and GEAC on Sale to BP Environmental Services
Polsinelli recently represented two founder-led companies, Commercial Management Systems (CMS) and General Equipment Acceptance Corporation (GEAC), in their sale to BP Environmental Services (BP), a leading provider of mission-critical waste, recycling and jobsite solutions for multi-location customers across North America.
Through this strategic transaction, CMS and GEAC bring expanded managed services and equipment leasing capabilitiesto BP's platform. The former provides managed waste, recycling and jobsite solutions through an asset-light, tech-enabled platform, while the latter complements CMS through tailored lease and rental solutions for compactors, balers and other waste-handling equipment.
The deal represented substantial exit opportunities for the companies' entrepreneurial ownership team and reflected Polsinelli's deep experience guiding founder-led businesses through complex M&A transactions.
"Our experience advising entrepreneurs across fragmented and consolidating industries allows us to bring stability, perspective and clarity to the process, helping them stay focused on their business." said Paul J. Jaskot, the Polsinelli shareholder who led the firm's deal team. "We're proud to have played a role in creating new synergies in this burgeoning sector, and thrilled that we could do so on behalf of such impressive, founder-led businesses."
More information about this transaction can be found here (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/firmament-backed-bp-environmental-services-acquires-cms-logistics-and-geac-302763270.html).
In addition to Jaskot, the Polsinelli deal team also included Associates Zachary M. Seelenfreund, Katherine E. Hanners and Michael Romeo.
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URL: Commercial Management Systems
URL: General Equipment Acceptance Corporation
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Original text here: https://www.polsinelli.com/news/polsinelli-advises-cms-geac-sale-bp-environmental-services
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Holland & Hart's 2025 Corporate Deal Report
DENVER, Colorado, July 10 (TNSrep) -- Holland and Hart, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Holland & Hart's 2025 Corporate Deal Report
Holland & Hart's Corporate group partners with clients at every stage of their journey, delivering timely, forward-thinking, and value-driven legal counsel.
From navigating the demands of daily operations, to executing complex transactions, our attorneys help companies of all sizes tackle the intricate regulatory, commercial, financial, and governance challenges that define long-term success.
We take pride in serving a dynamic portfolio of clients
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DENVER, Colorado, July 10 (TNSrep) -- Holland and Hart, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Holland & Hart's 2025 Corporate Deal Report
Holland & Hart's Corporate group partners with clients at every stage of their journey, delivering timely, forward-thinking, and value-driven legal counsel.
From navigating the demands of daily operations, to executing complex transactions, our attorneys help companies of all sizes tackle the intricate regulatory, commercial, financial, and governance challenges that define long-term success.
We take pride in serving a dynamic portfolio of clientswho are shaping innovation and fueling economic growth, building lasting relationships with customers and communities alike.
In 2025, our clients drove innovation and business expansion through over $5.3 billion in significant transactions. From startups to emerging enterprises to industry leaders, we partnered with diverse clients to navigate complex challenges, seize strategic opportunities, and achieve their goals.
Our annual Corporate Deal Report showcases the milestones our clients have achieved across mergers and acquisitions, emerging companies and venture capital, project development and finance, and securities and capital markets.
2025 Corporate Deal Report (https://experience.hollandhart.com/2025-corporate-deal-report/p/1)
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Original text here: https://www.hollandhart.com/holland-hart-2025-corporate-deal-report
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Advises Easpring Finland New Materials Oy on Development and Financing of CAM Manufacturing Plant in Finland
NEW YORK, July 10 -- Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer advises Easpring Finland New Materials Oy on development and financing of CAM manufacturing plant in Finland
Leading global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has advised Easpring Finland New Materials Oy (EFNM), a joint venture owned by Beijing Easpring Material Technology (70%), Finnish Minerals Group (28.3%) and LG Energy Solutions (1.7%), on the development and financing of a cathode active material (CAM) manufacturing plant in Kotka, in the south of Finland.
The
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NEW YORK, July 10 -- Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer advises Easpring Finland New Materials Oy on development and financing of CAM manufacturing plant in Finland
Leading global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has advised Easpring Finland New Materials Oy (EFNM), a joint venture owned by Beijing Easpring Material Technology (70%), Finnish Minerals Group (28.3%) and LG Energy Solutions (1.7%), on the development and financing of a cathode active material (CAM) manufacturing plant in Kotka, in the south of Finland.
Thesecuring of the Euros514.4 million green debt financing package (which is being provided by six commercial banks, with support from export credit agencies Finnvera and Sinosure) marks a major milestone for the project.
The project is of significant strategic importance to Finland and the European battery value chain more generally. Once its first planned production phase is completed, the plant will produce c.60,000 tonnes of CAM per annum, making it one of the largest CAM production plants in Europe. The CAM product will be used to manufacture battery cells for electric vehicles and energy storage applications, supplying manufacturers across Europe and Asia including leading battery cell manufacturers LG Energy Solution and SK on.
The Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer team was led by London-based partner Helen Beatty, supported by senior associates Thomas Papworth and Joana Bourouphael and associate Sarah-Anne Butler. A team in Hong Kong led by partners Ellen Mao and Hilary Lau and supported by of counsel Charles Wong and associate Olivia Kong, together with partner Calvin Ho in Beijing, provided support on the Hong Kong and PRC law aspects of the transaction.
Partner Helen Beatty commented: "We are delighted to have advised EFNM on this highly significant project. The transaction reflects broader geopolitical and market trends, including efforts to strengthen supply chain resilience and industrial competitiveness in Europe, alongside growing investment by leading international battery manufacturers in European midstream projects through partnerships with local industry participants. It also highlights the important role of Chinese technology and expertise in the European battery value chain."
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URL: Easpring Finland New Materials Oy
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Original text here: https://www.hsfkramer.com/news/2026-07/hsf-kramer-advises-easpring-finland-new-materials-oy
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Dentons Advises on Sale of Northern Fiber Holding to Strategic Fiber Networks
WASHINGTON, July 10 -- Dentons, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Dentons advises on sale of Northern Fiber Holding to Strategic Fiber Networks
Berlin--Global law firm Dentons acted on the seller side in connection with the sale of Northern Fiber Holding, by way of a share deal, to fiber-optic and cable telecommunications company Strategic Fiber Networks.
The transaction was signed on July 8, 2026. The acquisition is expected to close in the second half of 2026.
Northern Fiber Holding (NFH) is a broadband network operator serving rural and semi-urban regions in Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein
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WASHINGTON, July 10 -- Dentons, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Dentons advises on sale of Northern Fiber Holding to Strategic Fiber Networks
Berlin--Global law firm Dentons acted on the seller side in connection with the sale of Northern Fiber Holding, by way of a share deal, to fiber-optic and cable telecommunications company Strategic Fiber Networks.
The transaction was signed on July 8, 2026. The acquisition is expected to close in the second half of 2026.
Northern Fiber Holding (NFH) is a broadband network operator serving rural and semi-urban regions in Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holsteinand North Rhine-Westphalia. Under the Lunecom and sewikom brands, NFH operates both its own and leased fiber-optic networks and offers residential and business customers a comprehensive portfolio of fiber-optic services.
Strategic Fiber Networks GmbH (SFN) is a fiber-optic and cable telecommunications company headquartered in Schwabisch Gmund.
The acquisition expands SFN's regional presence and aims to accelerate the rollout of high-performance fiber-optic connections in regions that have been underserved by major nationwide providers to date by combining operational expertise, network infrastructure, and investment capacity.
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Advisors:
Dentons (Berlin): Andreas Ziegenhagen (Lead Partner), Dr. Jan Seelinger (Partner), Jan Milz (Associate; all Restructuring and Insolvency; all based in Berlin)
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About Dentons
Redefining possibilities. Together, everywhere. For more information visit dentons.com
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URL: Northern Fiber Holding
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Original text here: https://www.dentons.com/en/about-dentons/news-events-and-awards/news/2026/july/dentons-advises-on-sale-of-northern-fiber-holding-to-strategic-fiber-networks
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
