Nicole Howell advises strategic and financial buyers and sellers in connection with domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions and the formation of joint ventures and strategic partnerships.
She also regularly counsels clients regarding corporate governance, private equity and general corporate and commercial matters, including the structuring and negotiation of manufacturing, procurement, professional services, transition services and other operational agreements. Her experience spans a wide variety of industries, including media and entertainment, sports, technology, life sciences, gaming, food and beverage, manufacturing and professional services, among others. In recognition of her work, Nicole was named a Woman of Influence by the Los Angeles Business Journal in 2022.
Experience
Nicole’s selected work experience prior to joining Munger, Tolles & Olson includes representation of:
Mergers & Acquisitions
- Edwards Lifesciences Corporation in the $4.2 billion sale of its Critical Care product group to Becton, Dickinson and Company.
- Total Produce plc in its combination with Dole Food Company and the IPO of the combined company, as well as its initial acquisition of a 45% stake in Dole.
- E. & J. Gallo Winery in its acquisition of a portfolio of wine and spirits assets from Constellation Brands, Inc. and related transactions.
- Caesars Entertainment Corporation in its $17.3 billion acquisition by Eldorado Resorts, Inc.
- The Walt Disney Company in connection with ESPN’s sale of a majority stake in the X Games action sports franchise.
- United Talent Agency (UTA) in its sale of a minority stake to EQT Partners as well as its acquisitions of MediaLink, a marketing and media consulting firm, and Representatives Of Outstanding Footballers (ROOF), a European soccer agency.
- Parkwood Ventures in Beyoncé’s joint venture with Moët Hennessy and their launch of the ultra-premium SirDavis whisky brand.
- Dole plc in the proposed (but terminated) sale of its fresh vegetables division to an affiliate of Fresh Express Incorporated, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chiquita Holdings Limited.
- TiVo Inc. in its merger with Rovi Corporation.
- PLBY Group, Inc., owner of the Playboy brand, in its acquisition of a social content platform and in certain equity financing transactions.
- Hulu, LLC in its sale of a minority stake to Time Warner Inc.
- The Carlyle Group in its investments in Ithaca Holdings—former home to artists such as Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber—including Ithaca’s acquisition of Big Machine Label Group and Ithaca’s sale to HYBE, the label behind K-pop sensation BTS.
- Tyden Group Holdings Corp., a portfolio company of Crimson Investment, in the sale of its subsidiary TydenBrooks Security Products Group to Madison Industries, Inc.
- Saban Capital Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company, in its proposed (but terminated) acquisition of Panavision Inc. and Sim Video International Inc.
- Loar Group Inc. in a follow-on acquisition of an aerospace machining company.
- A data analytics company in its acquisition of a publisher of vehicle pricing data.
- The majority owners of a leading packaging business in connection with the sale of their interests to the minority owner.
- A family office in its acquisition of a significant stake in an asset manager.
- Two private equity firms in their acquisition of The Western Union Company’s business solutions division.
- Marvel co-founder David Maisel in the formation of Mythos Studios, a joint venture with Scooter Braun.
- Trustbridge Partners in its acquisition of Holiday House, a children’s book publisher.
Corporate Restructuring
- Noble Corporation plc in corporate aspects of its Chapter 11 filing.
- JAKKS Pacific, Inc. in connection with its comprehensive recapitalization, including related governance matters.
Thought Leadership
- “AB 663: Corporate Law Amendments Address Emergency Powers and Technological Advances,” Daily Journal, January 5, 2022
- “SEC to Focus on Non-GAAP Financial Measures in 2016,” Insights (Skadden Publication), April 26, 2016
Professional Affiliations
- Advisor, UCLA Transactional Law Competition, 2017-Present
- Member, Board of Directors, UCLA Law Women LEAD, 2022-Present
- Class Agent, UCLA School of Law, 2023
Awards & Honors
- Los Angeles Business Journal Woman of Influence, 2022
- UCLA School of Law Pro Bono Award, 2018
Education
-
UCLA School of Law (J.D., 2013)
-
Stanford University (B.A., 2010)
Bar Admissions
- California
- Oregon
Experience
Nicole’s selected work experience prior to joining Munger, Tolles & Olson includes representation of:
Mergers & Acquisitions
- Edwards Lifesciences Corporation in the $4.2 billion sale of its Critical Care product group to Becton, Dickinson and Company.
- Total Produce plc in its combination with Dole Food Company and the IPO of the combined company, as well as its initial acquisition of a 45% stake in Dole.
- E. & J. Gallo Winery in its acquisition of a portfolio of wine and spirits assets from Constellation Brands, Inc. and related transactions.
- Caesars Entertainment Corporation in its $17.3 billion acquisition by Eldorado Resorts, Inc.
- The Walt Disney Company in connection with ESPN’s sale of a majority stake in the X Games action sports franchise.
- United Talent Agency (UTA) in its sale of a minority stake to EQT Partners as well as its acquisitions of MediaLink, a marketing and media consulting firm, and Representatives Of Outstanding Footballers (ROOF), a European soccer agency.
- Parkwood Ventures in Beyoncé’s joint venture with Moët Hennessy and their launch of the ultra-premium SirDavis whisky brand.
- Dole plc in the proposed (but terminated) sale of its fresh vegetables division to an affiliate of Fresh Express Incorporated, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chiquita Holdings Limited.
- TiVo Inc. in its merger with Rovi Corporation.
- PLBY Group, Inc., owner of the Playboy brand, in its acquisition of a social content platform and in certain equity financing transactions.
- Hulu, LLC in its sale of a minority stake to Time Warner Inc.
- The Carlyle Group in its investments in Ithaca Holdings—former home to artists such as Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber—including Ithaca’s acquisition of Big Machine Label Group and Ithaca’s sale to HYBE, the label behind K-pop sensation BTS.
- Tyden Group Holdings Corp., a portfolio company of Crimson Investment, in the sale of its subsidiary TydenBrooks Security Products Group to Madison Industries, Inc.
- Saban Capital Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company, in its proposed (but terminated) acquisition of Panavision Inc. and Sim Video International Inc.
- Loar Group Inc. in a follow-on acquisition of an aerospace machining company.
- A data analytics company in its acquisition of a publisher of vehicle pricing data.
- The majority owners of a leading packaging business in connection with the sale of their interests to the minority owner.
- A family office in its acquisition of a significant stake in an asset manager.
- Two private equity firms in their acquisition of The Western Union Company’s business solutions division.
- Marvel co-founder David Maisel in the formation of Mythos Studios, a joint venture with Scooter Braun.
- Trustbridge Partners in its acquisition of Holiday House, a children’s book publisher.
Corporate Restructuring
- Noble Corporation plc in corporate aspects of its Chapter 11 filing.
- JAKKS Pacific, Inc. in connection with its comprehensive recapitalization, including related governance matters.
News
Thought Leadership
- “AB 663: Corporate Law Amendments Address Emergency Powers and Technological Advances,” Daily Journal, January 5, 2022
- “SEC to Focus on Non-GAAP Financial Measures in 2016,” Insights (Skadden Publication), April 26, 2016
Professional Affiliations
- Advisor, UCLA Transactional Law Competition, 2017-Present
- Member, Board of Directors, UCLA Law Women LEAD, 2022-Present
- Class Agent, UCLA School of Law, 2023
Awards & Honors
- Los Angeles Business Journal Woman of Influence, 2022
- UCLA School of Law Pro Bono Award, 2018
Practice Areas
Industries
Education
-
UCLA School of Law (J.D., 2013)
-
Stanford University (B.A., 2010)
Bar Admissions
- California
- Oregon