Simpson Thacher is representing Cisco Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO) in connection with its announced acquisition of Splunk Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLK) for approximately $28 billion in equity value. The transaction is intended to close by the end of the third calendar quarter of 2024, and is subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and Splunk stockholder approval.
Splunk, founded in 2003, makes software used by companies’ information-technology and security operations to monitor and analyze data. The acquisition builds on Splunk’s heritage of helping organizations enhance their digital resilience and will accelerate Cisco’s strategy for next generation of AI-enabled security and observability.
The Simpson Thacher team includes Alan Klein, Anthony Vernace, Fred de Albuquerque, Jacob Gindt, Jamie Lee, Kate Nelson and Britta Vlastelicia (M&A); Greg Grogan, Kristy Fields and Jesslyn Nunez (Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits); Lori Lesser, Rachelle Broida and Mark Natividad (IP/Privacy); Jonathan Goldstein, Jenna Al-Malawi and Scott Grundei (Tax); William Brentani, Lia Toback, Kelli Schultz and Barry Lau (Capital Markets); Jonathan Lindabury and Nathan B. Utterback (Derivatives); and Leah Malone and Emily Holland (ESG).