A&O and Herbies lead on major software merger

A&O corporate partner George Knighton advised longstanding client Misys on the deal, for which the parties have reached an agreement.

Herbert Smith partner Will Pearce advised Temenos, also an established client for the firm.

Zürich firm Homburger fielded corporate partner Dieter Gericke as Swiss counsel for Geneva-based Temenos, which is listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange.

A&O’s Knighton advised Misys when it acquired capital markets software provider Sophis from Advent International in 2010 for €435m (£363m). The firm also advised the company on its acquisition of US-based Allscripts Healthcare Solutions in 2010, but the deal was run by Peter Harwick in New York.

Fellow corporate partner David Wootton, the present Lord Mayor of London (25 September 2009), acted for Misys when a group of directors, led by then-chief executive Kevin Lomax, attempted to take it over through a mangement buyout. Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy corporate partner Tim Emmerson, who is now at Sullivan & Cromwell, advised the directors.

Pearce at Herbert Smith advised Temenos on its acquisition of UK software provider Financial Objects in 2008.

Homburger, meanwhile, advised Temenos when it acquired Luxembourg-based banking software systems provider Odyssey Group in 2010.

Hogan Lovells also acted for Temenos on the Odyssey deal and, as legacy Hogan & Hartson, on its acquisition of Viveo Group the same year, fielding Paris partner Isabelle MacElhone on both occasions.