Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP Logo
  • Practices
  • People
  • Careers
  • News & Insights
  • Practices
  • People
  • Careers
  • News & Insights
  • Our Story
  • The Cravath System
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Pro Bono
  • Alumni Journal
  • 200.Cravath

Cravath Publishes Winter 2026 Issue of Alumni Journal

Read More

Corporate

Mergers and Acquisitions

Mergers and Acquisitions

Cravath is one of the preeminent law firms for mergers and acquisitions. Our lawyers are renowned for their outstanding capabilities in complex U.S. and cross‑border deals. Over the past decade, Cravath has represented clients in more than 800 M&A transactions with an aggregate value of over $4 trillion, reflecting the high‑value, high‑impact transactions that we are regularly called upon to execute.

Cravath advises companies in their most critical needs across the full spectrum of corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, spin‑offs and joint ventures. In addition to—and often alongside—the mergers and acquisitions that we handle, Cravath is a leading advisor for companies and boards in high‑stakes corporate situations, including hostile takeovers and shareholder activism defense.  

Both U.S. and non-U.S. clients rely on our leadership and expertise in their most transformative corporate matters, many of which involve multiple jurisdictions across diverse industries. Our lawyers navigate novel legal and business issues in the areas of consumer products, energy, fintech, healthcare, media and entertainment, pharmaceuticals, retail, technology and telecommunications.

Cravath has been consistently ranked a top‑tier firm for M&A by numerous third‑party publications and is an 11‑time recipient of Law360’s M&A Practice Group of the Year award. Our lawyers regularly earn plaudits from their clients and peers in the market: 

  • “In the M&A arena, Cravath is among the smallest handful of firms that provides the highest level of knowledge, creativity, and skill. Cravath will have the latest issues and answers, along with the current market solutions. Their insights are driven by a firm understanding of the commercial issues underpinning the law as well as the trade-offs that clients and their adversaries need to make. Their advice is always pragmatic.” Best Lawyers Best Law Firms
  • “They are outstanding at coordination and completeness. Every person you deal with understands the whole deal, as opposed to only their piece.” Chambers
  • “Cravath’s London office works closely with colleagues in New York on a diverse range of matters, including corporate law and cross-border M&A. It is well known for its outstanding track record on high-end, cross-border matters.” The Legal 500
  • “The best thing about Cravath is the consistent excellence throughout the team, from the most senior lawyers to the most junior.” Chambers
  • “The people are super-smart and they have a really strong work intensity. They know the customers really well and they give practical, personal advice.” Chambers
  • “The string of transactions confirms Cravath, a firm that has long been considered a powerhouse in complex and high-stakes M&A, as a hallmark player in headline deals across diverse industries.” Law360
  • Cravath is “one of the brand-name law firms in the M&A space. I think it is phenomenal. When I think of complex M&A transactions, it would be first on my list of firms to go to.” Chambers

Cravath advises companies in their most critical needs across the full spectrum of corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, spin‑offs and joint ventures. In addition to—and often alongside—the mergers and acquisitions that we handle, Cravath is a leading advisor for companies and boards in high‑stakes corporate situations, including hostile takeovers and shareholder activism defense.  

Both U.S. and non-U.S. clients rely on our leadership and expertise in their most transformative corporate matters, many of which involve multiple jurisdictions across diverse industries. Our lawyers navigate novel legal and business issues in the areas of consumer products, energy, fintech, healthcare, media and entertainment, pharmaceuticals, retail, technology and telecommunications.

Cravath has been consistently ranked a top‑tier firm for M&A by numerous third‑party publications and is an 11‑time recipient of Law360’s M&A Practice Group of the Year award. Our lawyers regularly earn plaudits from their clients and peers in the market: 

  • “In the M&A arena, Cravath is among the smallest handful of firms that provides the highest level of knowledge, creativity, and skill. Cravath will have the latest issues and answers, along with the current market solutions. Their insights are driven by a firm understanding of the commercial issues underpinning the law as well as the trade-offs that clients and their adversaries need to make. Their advice is always pragmatic.” Best Lawyers Best Law Firms
  • “They are outstanding at coordination and completeness. Every person you deal with understands the whole deal, as opposed to only their piece.” Chambers
  • “Cravath’s London office works closely with colleagues in New York on a diverse range of matters, including corporate law and cross-border M&A. It is well known for its outstanding track record on high-end, cross-border matters.” The Legal 500
  • “The best thing about Cravath is the consistent excellence throughout the team, from the most senior lawyers to the most junior.” Chambers
  • “The people are super-smart and they have a really strong work intensity. They know the customers really well and they give practical, personal advice.” Chambers
  • “The string of transactions confirms Cravath, a firm that has long been considered a powerhouse in complex and high-stakes M&A, as a hallmark player in headline deals across diverse industries.” Law360
  • Cravath is “one of the brand-name law firms in the M&A space. I think it is phenomenal. When I think of complex M&A transactions, it would be first on my list of firms to go to.” Chambers
  • Deals & Cases
  • Recent News & Insights

Deals & Cases

February 28, 2026

Paramount’s $110 Billion Acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.

On February 27, 2026, Paramount Skydance Corporation (“Paramount”) and Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. ("WBD") announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Paramount will acquire WBD. Under the terms of the agreement, Paramount will pay $31.00 per share in cash for all outstanding shares of WBD. The transaction values WBD at an enterprise value of $110 billion, and has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. Cravath is representing Paramount in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

February 27, 2026

White Mountains’ Strategic Investment in Bishop Street

On February 26, 2026, Bishop Street Underwriters (“Bishop Street”), a RedBird Capital Partners portfolio company, announced that it has completed a strategic structured capital investment of $125 million by White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (“White Mountains”). Cravath is representing White Mountains in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

February 24, 2026

ADT’s Acquisition of Origin

On February 24, 2026, ADT, a leading provider of security, interactive and smart home solutions serving residential and small business customers in the U.S., announced it has acquired Origin Wireless, Inc. (“Origin”), bringing Origin’s AI sensing platform and related intellectual property into the ADT ecosystem. The purchase price for the transaction was $170 million in cash, subject to customary purchase price adjustments. Cravath is representing ADT in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

February 18, 2026

Tenax’s Merger with Air

On February 17, 2026, Tenax Aerospace Acquisition, LLC (“Tenax”) and Air Industries Group (“Air”) jointly announced that they have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger to combine Tenax’s special mission aviation business with Air’s precision aerospace manufacturing business. At the time of the merger, Air will issue shares of its common stock to holders of Tenax membership units. After the closing, Tenax shareholders are expected to own approximately 95% of Air’s outstanding shares while existing Air shareholders are expected to own approximately 5%, and the combined company expects to remain listed on the NYSE American under the symbol AIRI. Cravath is representing Tenax in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

February 17, 2026

Kennedy Wilson’s Acquisition by Consortium Led by William McMorrow and Fairfax

On February 17, 2026, Kennedy‑Wilson Holdings, Inc. (“Kennedy Wilson”) and Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (“Fairfax”) jointly announced that Kennedy Wilson has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired, in an all cash‑transaction, by an entity affiliated with a consortium led by William McMorrow, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kennedy Wilson, and certain other senior executives of Kennedy Wilson (collectively, the “KW Management Group”), together with Fairfax (collectively, the “Consortium”).

Activities

February 23, 2026

Lawdragon Names 8 Cravath Partners to its 2026 List of “500 Leading Global Entertainment, Sports & Media Lawyers”

On February 20, 2026, Lawdragon announced the inclusion of 8 Cravath partners in its annual list of the “500 Leading Global Entertainment, Sports & Media Lawyers.” The list, assembled based on research and vetting by peers, recognizes lawyers who “are at the center of it all, protecting brands, advising on ownership rights and investments, and heading off legal and reputational risk for globally recognized individuals.”

Publications

February 13, 2026

Cravath Publishes Quarterly Review on Q4 2025 Trends in M&A, Activism and Corporate Governance

On February 13, 2026, Cravath published the latest edition of its Quarterly Review, which provides insight into practical points, key takeaways and relevant developments across the M&A, activism, tax, regulatory and corporate governance landscape. This edition covers:

Publications

February 10, 2026

G.J. Ligelis Jr., Chris Fargo, Alyssa Caples and Maggie Segall Co‑Author U.S. Chapters of Chambers Investing In… 2026 Guide

Cravath partners G.J. Ligelis Jr., Christopher K. Fargo, Alyssa K. Caples and Margaret T. Segall co‑authored the U.S. Law & Practice chapter of the Chambers Investing In… 2026 guide, which was published in January 2026. The guide, which is part of the publisher’s Global Practice Guide series, examines country‑specific legal issues that arise from foreign direct investment (“FDI”) and cross‑border transactions in the more than 30 jurisdictions covered. The U.S. Law & Practice chapter surveys the legal system and regulatory framework for FDI in the country, analyzing the economic climate as well as considerations related to mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, capital markets, antitrust, national security, tax, employment and intellectual property.

Activities

February 04, 2026

Andrew Compton Participates in the 2026 Forum on North American Infrastructure Investments

Cravath partner Andrew C. Compton participated in the Forum on North American Infrastructure Investments, which was presented by Cambridge Forums from February 4‑6, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Through discussions between senior in-house counsel, institutional investors and external lawyers, the Forum explored trends and developments in direct investments in major infrastructure projects from across North America to discern best practices for successfully completing transactions and addressing the long-term risks and challenges facing investors.

Publications

January 16, 2026

HLS Forum on Corporate Governance Publishes Cravath’s Q3 2025 Newsletter on M&A, Activism and Corporate Governance

On January 15, 2026, the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance published Cravath’s latest quarterly newsletter on M&A, activism and corporate governance. The newsletter provides insight into practical points, key takeaways and relevant developments across the M&A, activism, restructuring, regulatory and corporate governance landscape during the third quarter of 2025. Contributors to this edition include partners G.J. Ligelis Jr., Evan A. Hill, Michael L. Arnold, Andrew M. Wark, Bethany A. Pfalzgraf and Edward O. Minturn.

Deals & Cases

February 28, 2026

Paramount’s $110 Billion Acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.

On February 27, 2026, Paramount Skydance Corporation (“Paramount”) and Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. ("WBD") announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Paramount will acquire WBD. Under the terms of the agreement, Paramount will pay $31.00 per share in cash for all outstanding shares of WBD. The transaction values WBD at an enterprise value of $110 billion, and has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. Cravath is representing Paramount in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

February 27, 2026

White Mountains’ Strategic Investment in Bishop Street

On February 26, 2026, Bishop Street Underwriters (“Bishop Street”), a RedBird Capital Partners portfolio company, announced that it has completed a strategic structured capital investment of $125 million by White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (“White Mountains”). Cravath is representing White Mountains in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

February 24, 2026

ADT’s Acquisition of Origin

On February 24, 2026, ADT, a leading provider of security, interactive and smart home solutions serving residential and small business customers in the U.S., announced it has acquired Origin Wireless, Inc. (“Origin”), bringing Origin’s AI sensing platform and related intellectual property into the ADT ecosystem. The purchase price for the transaction was $170 million in cash, subject to customary purchase price adjustments. Cravath is representing ADT in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

February 18, 2026

Tenax’s Merger with Air

On February 17, 2026, Tenax Aerospace Acquisition, LLC (“Tenax”) and Air Industries Group (“Air”) jointly announced that they have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger to combine Tenax’s special mission aviation business with Air’s precision aerospace manufacturing business. At the time of the merger, Air will issue shares of its common stock to holders of Tenax membership units. After the closing, Tenax shareholders are expected to own approximately 95% of Air’s outstanding shares while existing Air shareholders are expected to own approximately 5%, and the combined company expects to remain listed on the NYSE American under the symbol AIRI. Cravath is representing Tenax in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

February 17, 2026

Kennedy Wilson’s Acquisition by Consortium Led by William McMorrow and Fairfax

On February 17, 2026, Kennedy‑Wilson Holdings, Inc. (“Kennedy Wilson”) and Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (“Fairfax”) jointly announced that Kennedy Wilson has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired, in an all cash‑transaction, by an entity affiliated with a consortium led by William McMorrow, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kennedy Wilson, and certain other senior executives of Kennedy Wilson (collectively, the “KW Management Group”), together with Fairfax (collectively, the “Consortium”).

Activities

February 23, 2026

Lawdragon Names 8 Cravath Partners to its 2026 List of “500 Leading Global Entertainment, Sports & Media Lawyers”

On February 20, 2026, Lawdragon announced the inclusion of 8 Cravath partners in its annual list of the “500 Leading Global Entertainment, Sports & Media Lawyers.” The list, assembled based on research and vetting by peers, recognizes lawyers who “are at the center of it all, protecting brands, advising on ownership rights and investments, and heading off legal and reputational risk for globally recognized individuals.”

Publications

February 13, 2026

Cravath Publishes Quarterly Review on Q4 2025 Trends in M&A, Activism and Corporate Governance

On February 13, 2026, Cravath published the latest edition of its Quarterly Review, which provides insight into practical points, key takeaways and relevant developments across the M&A, activism, tax, regulatory and corporate governance landscape. This edition covers:

Publications

February 10, 2026

G.J. Ligelis Jr., Chris Fargo, Alyssa Caples and Maggie Segall Co‑Author U.S. Chapters of Chambers Investing In… 2026 Guide

Cravath partners G.J. Ligelis Jr., Christopher K. Fargo, Alyssa K. Caples and Margaret T. Segall co‑authored the U.S. Law & Practice chapter of the Chambers Investing In… 2026 guide, which was published in January 2026. The guide, which is part of the publisher’s Global Practice Guide series, examines country‑specific legal issues that arise from foreign direct investment (“FDI”) and cross‑border transactions in the more than 30 jurisdictions covered. The U.S. Law & Practice chapter surveys the legal system and regulatory framework for FDI in the country, analyzing the economic climate as well as considerations related to mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, capital markets, antitrust, national security, tax, employment and intellectual property.

Activities

February 04, 2026

Andrew Compton Participates in the 2026 Forum on North American Infrastructure Investments

Cravath partner Andrew C. Compton participated in the Forum on North American Infrastructure Investments, which was presented by Cambridge Forums from February 4‑6, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Through discussions between senior in-house counsel, institutional investors and external lawyers, the Forum explored trends and developments in direct investments in major infrastructure projects from across North America to discern best practices for successfully completing transactions and addressing the long-term risks and challenges facing investors.

Publications

January 16, 2026

HLS Forum on Corporate Governance Publishes Cravath’s Q3 2025 Newsletter on M&A, Activism and Corporate Governance

On January 15, 2026, the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance published Cravath’s latest quarterly newsletter on M&A, activism and corporate governance. The newsletter provides insight into practical points, key takeaways and relevant developments across the M&A, activism, restructuring, regulatory and corporate governance landscape during the third quarter of 2025. Contributors to this edition include partners G.J. Ligelis Jr., Evan A. Hill, Michael L. Arnold, Andrew M. Wark, Bethany A. Pfalzgraf and Edward O. Minturn.

Explore

People in
Mergers and Acquisitions

Cravath Bicentennial

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.

Explore

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP Logo
  • CONTACT US
  • OUR STORY
  • ALUMNI PORTAL
  • DISCLAIMERS & NOTICES

Attorney Advertising. ©2026 Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP.