Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton represented Workman Publishing in the transaction. Willkie represented Hachette Book Group.
Workman Publishing, one of the largest independently-owned book publishers in the U.S., announced its agreement to be acquired by Hachette Book Group. The transaction was announced on August 16, 2021, and is expected to close after regulatory approval is received.
Workman Publishing will become HBG’s eighth publishing group, comprising the imprints Workman, Algonquin, Algonquin Young Readers, Artisan, Storey Publishing, and Timber Press. Workman publishes award-winning content across many categories including cookbooks, parenting/pregnancy guides, gardening, country living, humor, children’s books, gift books, fiction, audio and a bestselling calendar line.
Hachette Book Group is a leading trade publisher based in New York and a division of Hachette Livre (a Lagardère company), the third-largest trade and educational publisher in the world. HBG also provides a wide range of custom distribution, fulfillment, digital and sales services to third-party publishers.
The Cleary M&A team included partner Glenn McGrory (Picture) and associates Claire Schupmann and Austin Wolfe. Partner Michael Albano and associate Ashley Powell advised on employee benefits matters. Partner Daniel Ilan and associates Brendan Cohen and Christine Song advised on intellectual property matters. Partners Corey Goodman and Meyer Fedida and associates Karl Heiland and Alexander Cadmus advised on tax matters. Partner Elaine Ewing and associate Bethlehem Mebratu advised on antitrust. Counsel Chase Kaniecki and senior attorney Jim Corsiglia advised on international trade and regulatory matters.
The Willkie deal team was led by partners Thomas Cerabino, Adam Turteltaub and Jonathan Kubek, and included associate Brittany Perskin.
Involved fees earner: Michael Albano – Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Alexander Cadmus – Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Brendan Cohen – Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; James Corsiglia – Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Elaine Ewing – Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Meyer Fedida – Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Corey Goodman – Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Karl Heiland – Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Daniel Ilan – Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Chase Kaniecki – Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Glenn McGrory – Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Bethlehem Mebratu – Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Ashley Powell – Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Claire Schupmann – Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Christine Song – Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Austin Wolfe – Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Thomas Cerabino – Willkie Farr & Gallagher; Jonathan Kubek – Willkie Farr & Gallagher; Brittany Perskin – Willkie Farr & Gallagher; Adam Turteltaub – Willkie Farr & Gallagher;
Law Firms: Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Willkie Farr & Gallagher;
Clients: Hachette Book Group; Workman Publishing;
