Disney turns to Dewey in billion-dollar comic deal

Three US firms have won lead roles on Walt Disney’s $4bn acquisition of US comic company Marvel Entertainment.

Longstanding Disney adviser Dewey & LeBoeuf was drafted in to advise the animation group. The Dewey team was led by relationship partner and head of M&A Morton Pierce.

Disney has turned to Pierce to advise on a number of high profile acquisitions over the years. Pierce led a team from the New York-headquartered firm advising the company on its 1996 acquisition of Capital Cities/ABC.

Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker partner Carl Sanchez advised Marvel on the deal, which will see Disney acquire the rights to over 5,000 Marvel characters.

Sullivan & Cromwell Los Angeles partner Alison Ressler led a team advising financial adviser Goldman Sachs.