Press Release

Kirkland & Ellis LLP Advises in Samsonite Corporation - CVC Capital Partners Deal

Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal advisor to the principal shareholders in connection with Samsonite Corporation’s sale to funds managed and advised by CVC Capital Partners ("CVC"). The all-cash transaction is valued at approximately $1.7 billion, including the assumption of debt.

Under the terms of the agreement, CVC will acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Samsonite for $1.49 per share in cash. 

The transaction was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of Samsonite.

The transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2007 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory review in the US and Europe. CVC has received certain funds debt financing commitments from third-party financing sources and, accordingly, closing is not subject to the receipt of financing.

Leading the Kirkland deal team was London partner James Learner. Other Kirkland attorneys (all London based) were partners Matthew Hurlock, Abrielle Rosenthal, Stephen Gillespie and associate Arvidas Remeza.

About Kirkland & Ellis

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a 1,300-attorney law firm representing global clients in complex corporate, restructuring, tax, litigation, dispute resolution and arbitration, and intellectual property and technology matters. The Firm has offices in London, Chicago, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Munich, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.