International Transactions Lawyer Neil Foster Joins Baker Botts in London

LONDON, November 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Neil Foster, who specializes in international transactions in the technology, media, telecoms and life sciences sectors, joined Baker Botts today as a partner in the firm's London office. The addition of Foster will enhance Baker Botts' client service in these key industry sectors around the world.

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In addition to advising U.K. companies, banks, venture funds and intermediaries, Foster represents a number of major U.S., Middle East and Asian corporations on their U.K. and European transactions. Recent deals include transactions for Vodafone, Sophos, Expedia, Inc., Liberty Global, Inc., Arcadia Biosciences, Inc. and Acorn Media Group, Inc., whom he advises on M&A, joint ventures, strategic investments, buy-outs and venture capital deals.

"Neil brings a wealth of experience that will strengthen our capabilities in these major practice areas," said Baker Botts Managing Partner Walt Smith. In 2010, Foster advised Sophos plc on the sale by the company's founders and TA associates to Apax for $830 million, the largest European private equity deal in the IT sector that year. More recently, he advised Evo Electric, a venture capital-funded electric motors company on a new investment and a joint venture with a global engineering group.

"Neil is well-known throughout the U.K. in private equity and venture capital matters," said Tony Higginson, Partner in Charge of Baker Botts' London office. "Adding Neil to our London office continues our goal of building one of the strongest cross-border transactional legal teams in our core sectors of energy, technology and life sciences."

At his previous firm, Foster was head of private equity and venture capital. He regularly speaks at venture capital, technology, media, biotechnology and corporate finance events. He was a mentor to CEOs of emerging companies at the European Venture Academies in Copenhagen and London, specializing in fund-raising strategies and techniques.

Foster is a member of British American Business, a transatlantic trade association, where he sits on their Information, Communications and Entertainment Committee. He serves on the Advisory Board for "Global Corporate Venturing" magazine. Foster is ranked by Chambers as a "leading individual" for M&A transactions.

About Baker Botts L.L.P.

Baker Botts is an international law firm with over 725 lawyers and a network of 13 offices around the globe. Based on our experience and knowledge of our clients' industries, we are recognized as a leading firm in the energy, technology and life sciences sectors. Throughout our 170-year history, we have provided creative and effective legal solutions for our clients while demonstrating an unrelenting commitment to excellence. For more information, please visit http://www.bakerbotts.com.