Cravath’s London Office Moves to 100 Cheapside
On January 30, 2014, Dassault Systèmes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, the world leader in 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, and Accelrys, Inc., a leading provider of scientific innovation lifecycle management software for chemistry, biology and materials, announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement for Dassault Systèmes to acquire San Diego‑based Accelrys, Inc. Cravath represented Dassault Systèmes in connection with this transaction.
Under the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, Dassault Systèmes will make an all cash tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of Accelrys common stock at a price of US$12.50 per share, representing a fully diluted equity value for Accelrys of approximately US$750 million. Dassault Systèmes intends to acquire any shares of Accelrys not tendered into the tender offer, via a merger as soon as practicable after the closing of the tender offer.
The Cravath team included partners Andrew R. Thompson and George E. Zobitz and associate Alan G. Grinceri on M&A matters; partner Michael L. Schler and associate Rachel H. Kiwi on tax matters; partner Eric W. Hilfers and practice area attorney Michael Krasnovsky on executive compensation and benefits matters; practice area attorney Robin C. Landis on antitrust matters; and partner David J. Kappos and practice area attorney Anthony N. Magistrale on intellectual property matters. Matthew G. Jones and Ashley N. Hughes also worked on M&A matters and Michael C. Lucien Jr. also worked on executive compensation and benefits matters.
Deals & Cases
May 28, 2025
On May 28, 2025, rhode, a fast‑growing, multi‑category lifestyle beauty brand founded by Hailey Bieber, and e.l.f. Beauty announced they have signed a definitive agreement for e.l.f. Beauty to acquire rhode. The $1 billion deal is comprised of $800 million of consideration payable at closing in a combination of cash and stock, subject to customary adjustments, and an additional potential earnout consideration of $200 million based on the future growth of the brand over a three‑year timeframe. Hailey Bieber will continue her role as Founder and additionally serve as rhode’s Chief Creative Officer and Head of Innovation, overseeing creative, product innovation and marketing. She will also act as a Strategic Advisor to the combined companies. Cravath is representing Hailey Bieber in connection with the transaction.
Deals & Cases
May 26, 2025
On May 25, 2025, WiseTech Global, developer of leading logistics execution software CargoWise, announced it has entered into a binding agreement to acquire E2open Parent Holdings, Inc. (“e2open”), a U.S.‑based leading provider of SaaS solutions in the global logistics value chain, for $3.30 per share in cash equating to an enterprise value of $2.1 billion. Cravath is representing WiseTech Global in connection with the transaction.
Deals & Cases
May 15, 2025
On May 15, 2025, the boards of Greencore Group plc (“Greencore”), a leading manufacturer of convenience foods in the UK, and Bakkavor Group Plc (“Bakkavor”), a leading provider of fresh prepared food in the UK, announced that they have agreed the terms of a recommended acquisition of Bakkavor by Greencore at a base consideration which values each Bakkavor share at 200 pence, which implies Bakkavor’s entire issued and to be issued share capital is valued at approximately £1.2 billion. Under the terms of the transaction, Bakkavor shareholders will be entitled to (for each Bakkavor share): 0.604 new Greencore shares, 85 pence in cash and one contingent value right. Cravath is representing Greencore as U.S. counsel in connection with the transaction.
Deals & Cases
May 09, 2025
On May 9, 2025, TaskUs, Inc. (“TaskUs”), a leading provider of outsourced digital services and next‑generation customer experience to companies, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to become a privately held company. Under the terms of the agreement, an affiliate of Blackstone, TaskUs Co‑Founder and Chief Executive Officer Bryce Maddock and TaskUs Co‑Founder and President Jaspar Weir (collectively the “Buyer Group”) will acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock they do not already own for $16.50 per share in an all-cash transaction. Upon completion of the transaction, the Company’s Class A common stock will no longer be listed on any public market. The TaskUs Board of Directors has approved the transaction upon the unanimous recommendation of a special committee of independent directors (the “Special Committee”), which was formed on March 20, 2025, in response to interest expressed by the Buyer Group in exploring a possible transaction. Cravath is representing the Special Committee in connection with the transaction.
Celebrating 200 years of partnership. In 2019, we celebrated our bicentennial. Our history mirrors that of our nation. Integral to our story is our culture.
Attorney Advertising. ©2025 Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP.