Dale Caldwell serves as the co-chair of the firm's Finance Department. His practice focuses on a broad variety of sophisticated financing transactions, including: project finance, in which he represents lenders, project sponsors and construction contractors in connection with development and financing of infrastructure projects around the world; and LBO/MBO and other acquisition finance, in which he regularly represents lenders and both strategic and financial buyers. Mr. Caldwell also has substantial experience advising companies on cross-border M&A, joint venture and strategic alliance transactions.
SoftBank’s $21.6 billion investment in Sprint.
Representing SoftBank in the acquisition financing secured for its $21.6 billion acquisition of a 78% interest in US wireless operator Sprint Nextel. The transaction is the largest announced U.S. M&A transaction of 2012, and is also the largest ever outbound investment from Asia and the largest U.S. M&A transaction in Japan’s history.
Caserones Copper and Molybdenum Mining Project.
Represented SCM Minera Lumina Copper Chile in connection with the $1.4 billion limited recourse project financing for the development of the Caserones Copper and Molybdenum Mining Project in Chile. Minera Lumina is 75% owned by Pan Pacific Copper (which is a joint venture of JX Holdings, Inc. and Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.) and 25% owned by Mitsui & Co., Ltd. The financing consisted of a $1.1 billion senior facility provided by JBIC and a group of commercial banks that received the benefit of a NEXI guaranty, and a $300 million junior facility provided by a group of commercial banks that received a guaranty from JOGMEC.
Sierra Gorda Copper and Molybdenum Mine
Represented Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. and Sumitomo Corporation in a $320 million junior facility provided by a group of commercial banks that received the benefit of a JOGMEC guaranty. The junior facility will be used by such entities to provide sponsor funding for the development of a large copper and molybdenum mine under development in the Sierra Gorda district of Chile.
Mexican Power Stations and Pipeline Acquisition.
We represented Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. in their $1.2 billion acquisition of a controlling interest in five gas-fired combined cycle power stations in Mexico with an aggregate total generating capacity of 2,233MW and a related gas pipeline company, and in connection with the financing for such acquisition.
South Texas Nuclear Power Project Units 3 & 4.
We represent Toshiba America Nuclear Energy Corporation (TANE) in its role as EPC contractor for the design and construction of a two unit, 2,800 MW Advanced Boiling Water Reactor nuclear power plant at the South Texas Project in Texas. Also representing TANE in connection with a vendor financing credit facility made available to one of the owners of the new units at the South Texas Project.
Toshiba America Nuclear Energy's $300 million investment in Nuclear Innovations North America.
Represented Toshiba America Nuclear Energy Corporation in its $300 million investment in Nuclear Innovation North American LLC, a joint venture with NRG Energy Inc. that was formed to develop nuclear projects in North America.
Pluto LNG Project
Represented Woodside Petroleum Limited in the $1.5 billion financing for this liquefied natural gas project in Australia. Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) provided a $1 billion tranche, and a syndicate of commercial lenders, lead by The Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., provided the remaining $500 million tranche.
Mizuho Corporate Bank LBO Financings.
Represented Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., as lead arranger, agent, and lender in several leveraged buy-out acquisition financings, including (l) the 10,000,000,000 (yen) financing for a private equity firm's acquisition of a group of located in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Canada, including the extension of a post-acquisition revolving credit facility and (ii) the $210,000,000 financing provided in connection with two private equity firms' acquisition of a group of companies located in Japan and the U.S. (including post-acquisition revolving credit and letter of credit facilities).