T-Mobile Calls on Big Law for $2.4 Billion US Cellular Purchase

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, DLA Piper and Sidley Austin are guiding T-Mobile US Inc.'s roughly $2.4 billion deal to buy US Cellular Corp.'s wireless operations.

Sidley Austin is advising US Cellular and Cravath, Swaine & Moore will guide the company’s independent directors. Clifford Chance and Washington, D.C.-founded Wilkinson Barker Knauer will counsel the firm on regulatory matters.

The deal will include US Cellular’s wireless customers and its retail stores. T-Mobile, advised by Cleary Gottlieb and DLA Piper, will also acquire 30% of the firm’s spectrum assets, according to the companies.

The deal is expected to close in the middle of next year, pending regulatory approvals, including from the Federal Communications Commission.

In April, T-Mobile gained approval from the FCC to purchase budget wireless provider Mint Mobile in a deal valued at around $1.35 billion.

Cleary’s team was led by partner Chris Moore and associate Tim Saviola. Moore advised T-Mobile on its deal to acquire Mint Mobile and chip design company Synopsys on its pending $35 billion takeover of Ansys.

Sidley Austin’s team was led by Chicago M&A partners John Kelsh, Scott Williams and Christopher Hale.

Kelsh, who is co-leader of Sidley Austin’s corporate governance practice, focuses on federal securities laws, corporate governance and executive compensation.

The Cravath team was led by G.J. Ligelis Jr. on M&A, Joseph D. Zavaglia and Douglas Dolan on financing, Ron Creamer on tax, Amanda Hines Gold on executive compensation and benefits, Sasha Rosenthal-Larrea on intellectual property, Matthew Morreale on environmental and real estate and Michael L. Arnold on corporate governance.

Sharis Pozen, Clifford Chance’s managing partner for the Americas, and counsel Michael Van Arsdall will advise on regulatory issues for US Cellular.