Merrill Lynch’s Acquisition by Bank of America

On September 15, 2008, Bank of America Corporation and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. announced that they have entered into an agreement in which Bank of America will acquire Merrill Lynch in a $50 billion all-stock transaction. The transaction, which is subject to shareholder votes at both companies and standard regulatory approvals, is expected to close in the first quarter of 2009. The lawyers involved in this matter include partners Robert D. Joffe and Susan Webster.