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Cravath Publishes Winter 2026 Issue of Alumni Journal

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People

Craig F.
Arcella

Partner, Corporate

carcella@cravath.com
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Craig F. Arcella is Co‑Head of the Finance Practice. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience, he serves as a trusted advisor to financial institutions and corporate clients on a broad range of complex financings and strategic transactions, as well as corporate advisory matters.  

Mr. Arcella represents financial institutions and corporate clients in investment grade, high-yield and convertible bond offerings; liability management transactions; initial public offerings and other equity financings; syndicated loan, private credit and other leveraged finance transactions; and mergers and acquisitions. He also regularly advises companies with respect to corporate governance, public disclosure and compliance matters.

Mr. Arcella has been repeatedly recognized as a leading practitioner in securities and corporate law by Chambers USA, Chambers Global, The Legal 500 US, IFLR1000, Lawdragon, The Best Lawyers in America, The Legal 500 Latin America and Latin Lawyer 250. He is “undoubtedly a market leader,” demonstrating “a unique balance of sophistication and creativity” (The Legal 500 US). Mr. Arcella is also cited in Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” as “best‑in‑class” in devising “innovative solutions to difficult problems.”

Mr. Arcella received a B.A. from Duke University in 1995 and a J.D. from Columbia Law School in 1998, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and a member of the Law Review.

Mr. Arcella joined Cravath in 1998 and was elected a partner in 2006. Earlier in his career, he practiced in the Firm’s Hong Kong and London offices. He is currently based in New York.

Mr. Arcella represents financial institutions and corporate clients in investment grade, high-yield and convertible bond offerings; liability management transactions; initial public offerings and other equity financings; syndicated loan, private credit and other leveraged finance transactions; and mergers and acquisitions. He also regularly advises companies with respect to corporate governance, public disclosure and compliance matters.

Mr. Arcella has been repeatedly recognized as a leading practitioner in securities and corporate law by Chambers USA, Chambers Global, The Legal 500 US, IFLR1000, Lawdragon, The Best Lawyers in America, The Legal 500 Latin America and Latin Lawyer 250. He is “undoubtedly a market leader,” demonstrating “a unique balance of sophistication and creativity” (The Legal 500 US). Mr. Arcella is also cited in Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” as “best‑in‑class” in devising “innovative solutions to difficult problems.”

Mr. Arcella received a B.A. from Duke University in 1995 and a J.D. from Columbia Law School in 1998, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and a member of the Law Review.

Mr. Arcella joined Cravath in 1998 and was elected a partner in 2006. Earlier in his career, he practiced in the Firm’s Hong Kong and London offices. He is currently based in New York.

Education

  • J.D., 1998, Columbia Law School
    Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
  • B.A., 1995, Duke University

Admitted In

  • New York

Professional Affiliations

International Bar Association

Rankings

Best Lawyers in America

  • Securities/Capital Markets Law (2026-2019)

Chambers Global

  • Capital Markets: Debt & Equity - USA (2026‑2011)

Chambers USA

  • Capital Markets: Debt & Equity - Nationwide (2026‑2012)

IFLR1000

  • Capital Markets - US (2025‑2011)

Latin Lawyer 250: Latin America’s Leading Business Law Firms

  • Banking & Finance - International (2020)
  • Capital Markets - International (2020, 2019, 2018, 2016‑2010)
  • Corporate and M&A - International (2016)

Lawdragon

  • 500 Leading Dealmakers in America (2025-2021)

The Legal 500 Hall of Fame

  • Capital Markets: Debt Offerings
  • Capital Markets: High‑Yield Debt Offerings

The Legal 500 Latin America

  • Capital Markets - Latin America: International Firms (2019, 2014, 2013, 2012)
  • Corporate and M&A - Latin America: International Firms (2017, 2016, 2013, 2012)

The Legal 500 US

  • Capital Markets: Debt Offerings (2025‑2009)
  • Capital Markets: Equity Offerings (2025-2019, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012)
  • Capital Markets: Global Offerings (2025-2018, 2016‑2010)
  • Capital Markets: High‑Yield Debt Offerings (2025‑2009)
  • Telecoms and Broadcast: Transactions (2016‑2010)

Deals & Cases

June 04, 2026

Kraft Heinz Foods Company’s €1 Billion Registered Senior Notes Offering and Concurrent $1.1 Billion Cash Tender Offer

Cravath represented the underwriters in connection with the €1 billion registered senior notes offering of Kraft Heinz Foods Company, one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world at the time of the offering. Cravath also represented the dealer managers in connection with Kraft Heinz Foods Company's concurrent $1.1 billion cash tender offer. The transactions closed on May 21, 2026.

Deals & Cases

May 27, 2026

Booking Holdings Inc.’s €1.9 Billion Registered Senior Notes Offering and Concurrent $750 Million Registered Senior Notes Offering

Cravath represented Booking Holdings Inc. in connection with its €1.9 billion registered senior notes offering and concurrent $750 million registered senior notes offering. Booking Holdings Inc. is a leading provider of online travel and travel-related reservation and search services. The transactions closed on May 11, 2026 and May 7, 2026, respectively.  

Deals & Cases

May 08, 2026

State Street Corporation’s $1.5 Billion Registered Fixed‑to‑Floating Rate Senior Notes Offering

Cravath represented the underwriters in connection with the $1.5 billion registered fixed‑to‑floating rate senior notes offering of State Street Corporation, a provider of a broad range of financial products and services to institutional investors worldwide. The transaction closed on April 24, 2026.

Deals & Cases

April 06, 2026

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company’s $2 Billion Registered Notes Offering

Cravath represented the underwriters in connection with the $2 billion registered notes offering of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, an industry leading technology company. The transaction closed on March 23, 2026.

Deals & Cases

April 06, 2026

Versigent’s $1.35 Billion Credit Facilities and $1.6 Billion High‑Yield Senior Notes Offering in Connection with Aptiv PLC’s Spin‑Off of Versigent

Cravath represented the administrative agent, joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners in connection with $1.35 billion of credit facilities made available to subsidiaries of Versigent Limited, a global leader in the design, development and manufacture of low voltage and high voltage electrical architectures and the holding company for Aptiv PLC’s Electrical Distribution Systems segment, which Aptiv PLC spun off into a separate, independent, publicly traded company. The proceeds were used to partially finance the spin‑off. The credit facilities consisted of a $500 million term loan facility and an $850 million revolving credit facility. The transaction closed on November 26, 2025.

Publications

March 11, 2026

FPI Section 16(a) Reporting Update: Final Rules, Conditional Exemptive Relief Order and Frequently Asked Questions

On March 11, 2026, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “FPI Section 16(a) Reporting Update: Final Rules, Conditional Exemptive Relief Order and Frequently Asked Questions.” The memo examines the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s adoption of final rule and form amendments and issuance of a conditional exemptive relief order, as well as the Frequently Asked Questions posted by staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the SEC, ahead of the March 18, 2026, deadline for compliance with the Holding Foreign Insiders Accountable Act.

Publications

December 29, 2025

Section 16(a) Share Ownership and Transaction Reporting Obligations to Apply to Directors and Officers of Foreign Private Issuers from March 18, 2026

On December 23, 2025, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “Section 16(a) Share Ownership and Transaction Reporting Obligations to Apply to Directors and Officers of Foreign Private Issuers from March 18, 2026.” The memo examines the Holding Foreign Insiders Accountable Act and how directors and officers of foreign private issuers will be required to comply with the share ownership and transaction reporting obligations of paragraph (a) of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 within 90 days of the enactment of the 2026 U.S. National Defense Authorization Act.

Publications

June 12, 2025

SEC Solicits Public Comment on the Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Private Issuer Status

On June 11, 2025, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “SEC Solicits Public Comment on the Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Private Issuer Status.” The memo examines a concept release recently published by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to seek public comment on whether to revise the “foreign private issuer” definition in light of shifting trends in the characteristics of the FPI population.

Craig F. Arcella is Co‑Head of the Finance Practice. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience, he serves as a trusted advisor to financial institutions and corporate clients on a broad range of complex financings and strategic transactions, as well as corporate advisory matters.  

Mr. Arcella represents financial institutions and corporate clients in investment grade, high-yield and convertible bond offerings; liability management transactions; initial public offerings and other equity financings; syndicated loan, private credit and other leveraged finance transactions; and mergers and acquisitions. He also regularly advises companies with respect to corporate governance, public disclosure and compliance matters.

Mr. Arcella has been repeatedly recognized as a leading practitioner in securities and corporate law by Chambers USA, Chambers Global, The Legal 500 US, IFLR1000, Lawdragon, The Best Lawyers in America, The Legal 500 Latin America and Latin Lawyer 250. He is “undoubtedly a market leader,” demonstrating “a unique balance of sophistication and creativity” (The Legal 500 US). Mr. Arcella is also cited in Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” as “best‑in‑class” in devising “innovative solutions to difficult problems.”

Mr. Arcella received a B.A. from Duke University in 1995 and a J.D. from Columbia Law School in 1998, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and a member of the Law Review.

Mr. Arcella joined Cravath in 1998 and was elected a partner in 2006. Earlier in his career, he practiced in the Firm’s Hong Kong and London offices. He is currently based in New York.

Mr. Arcella represents financial institutions and corporate clients in investment grade, high-yield and convertible bond offerings; liability management transactions; initial public offerings and other equity financings; syndicated loan, private credit and other leveraged finance transactions; and mergers and acquisitions. He also regularly advises companies with respect to corporate governance, public disclosure and compliance matters.

Mr. Arcella has been repeatedly recognized as a leading practitioner in securities and corporate law by Chambers USA, Chambers Global, The Legal 500 US, IFLR1000, Lawdragon, The Best Lawyers in America, The Legal 500 Latin America and Latin Lawyer 250. He is “undoubtedly a market leader,” demonstrating “a unique balance of sophistication and creativity” (The Legal 500 US). Mr. Arcella is also cited in Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” as “best‑in‑class” in devising “innovative solutions to difficult problems.”

Mr. Arcella received a B.A. from Duke University in 1995 and a J.D. from Columbia Law School in 1998, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and a member of the Law Review.

Mr. Arcella joined Cravath in 1998 and was elected a partner in 2006. Earlier in his career, he practiced in the Firm’s Hong Kong and London offices. He is currently based in New York.

Education

  • J.D., 1998, Columbia Law School
    Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
  • B.A., 1995, Duke University

Admitted In

  • New York

Professional Affiliations

International Bar Association

Rankings

Best Lawyers in America

  • Securities/Capital Markets Law (2026-2019)

Chambers Global

  • Capital Markets: Debt & Equity - USA (2026‑2011)

Chambers USA

  • Capital Markets: Debt & Equity - Nationwide (2026‑2012)

IFLR1000

  • Capital Markets - US (2025‑2011)

Latin Lawyer 250: Latin America’s Leading Business Law Firms

  • Banking & Finance - International (2020)
  • Capital Markets - International (2020, 2019, 2018, 2016‑2010)
  • Corporate and M&A - International (2016)

Lawdragon

  • 500 Leading Dealmakers in America (2025-2021)

The Legal 500 Hall of Fame

  • Capital Markets: Debt Offerings
  • Capital Markets: High‑Yield Debt Offerings

The Legal 500 Latin America

  • Capital Markets - Latin America: International Firms (2019, 2014, 2013, 2012)
  • Corporate and M&A - Latin America: International Firms (2017, 2016, 2013, 2012)

The Legal 500 US

  • Capital Markets: Debt Offerings (2025‑2009)
  • Capital Markets: Equity Offerings (2025-2019, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012)
  • Capital Markets: Global Offerings (2025-2018, 2016‑2010)
  • Capital Markets: High‑Yield Debt Offerings (2025‑2009)
  • Telecoms and Broadcast: Transactions (2016‑2010)

Deals & Cases

June 04, 2026

Kraft Heinz Foods Company’s €1 Billion Registered Senior Notes Offering and Concurrent $1.1 Billion Cash Tender Offer

Cravath represented the underwriters in connection with the €1 billion registered senior notes offering of Kraft Heinz Foods Company, one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world at the time of the offering. Cravath also represented the dealer managers in connection with Kraft Heinz Foods Company's concurrent $1.1 billion cash tender offer. The transactions closed on May 21, 2026.

Deals & Cases

May 27, 2026

Booking Holdings Inc.’s €1.9 Billion Registered Senior Notes Offering and Concurrent $750 Million Registered Senior Notes Offering

Cravath represented Booking Holdings Inc. in connection with its €1.9 billion registered senior notes offering and concurrent $750 million registered senior notes offering. Booking Holdings Inc. is a leading provider of online travel and travel-related reservation and search services. The transactions closed on May 11, 2026 and May 7, 2026, respectively.  

Deals & Cases

May 08, 2026

State Street Corporation’s $1.5 Billion Registered Fixed‑to‑Floating Rate Senior Notes Offering

Cravath represented the underwriters in connection with the $1.5 billion registered fixed‑to‑floating rate senior notes offering of State Street Corporation, a provider of a broad range of financial products and services to institutional investors worldwide. The transaction closed on April 24, 2026.

Deals & Cases

April 06, 2026

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company’s $2 Billion Registered Notes Offering

Cravath represented the underwriters in connection with the $2 billion registered notes offering of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, an industry leading technology company. The transaction closed on March 23, 2026.

Deals & Cases

April 06, 2026

Versigent’s $1.35 Billion Credit Facilities and $1.6 Billion High‑Yield Senior Notes Offering in Connection with Aptiv PLC’s Spin‑Off of Versigent

Cravath represented the administrative agent, joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners in connection with $1.35 billion of credit facilities made available to subsidiaries of Versigent Limited, a global leader in the design, development and manufacture of low voltage and high voltage electrical architectures and the holding company for Aptiv PLC’s Electrical Distribution Systems segment, which Aptiv PLC spun off into a separate, independent, publicly traded company. The proceeds were used to partially finance the spin‑off. The credit facilities consisted of a $500 million term loan facility and an $850 million revolving credit facility. The transaction closed on November 26, 2025.

Publications

March 11, 2026

FPI Section 16(a) Reporting Update: Final Rules, Conditional Exemptive Relief Order and Frequently Asked Questions

On March 11, 2026, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “FPI Section 16(a) Reporting Update: Final Rules, Conditional Exemptive Relief Order and Frequently Asked Questions.” The memo examines the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s adoption of final rule and form amendments and issuance of a conditional exemptive relief order, as well as the Frequently Asked Questions posted by staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the SEC, ahead of the March 18, 2026, deadline for compliance with the Holding Foreign Insiders Accountable Act.

Publications

December 29, 2025

Section 16(a) Share Ownership and Transaction Reporting Obligations to Apply to Directors and Officers of Foreign Private Issuers from March 18, 2026

On December 23, 2025, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “Section 16(a) Share Ownership and Transaction Reporting Obligations to Apply to Directors and Officers of Foreign Private Issuers from March 18, 2026.” The memo examines the Holding Foreign Insiders Accountable Act and how directors and officers of foreign private issuers will be required to comply with the share ownership and transaction reporting obligations of paragraph (a) of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 within 90 days of the enactment of the 2026 U.S. National Defense Authorization Act.

Publications

June 12, 2025

SEC Solicits Public Comment on the Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Private Issuer Status

On June 11, 2025, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “SEC Solicits Public Comment on the Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Private Issuer Status.” The memo examines a concept release recently published by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to seek public comment on whether to revise the “foreign private issuer” definition in light of shifting trends in the characteristics of the FPI population.

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