Bob Townsend, Mike Mariani and Jin Baek Named 2026 Dealmakers of the Year by The American Lawyer
March 25, 2026
On March 24, 2026, Cravath partners Robert I. Townsend III, Michael E. Mariani and Jin‑Kyu Baek were featured as 2026 “Dealmakers of the Year” by The American Lawyer in recognition of their representation of Kenvue in its $48.7 billion acquisition by Kimberly‑Clark. Putting together two companies of their size “is always a complex process,” said Mike. Added Bob, “from the Kenvue perspective, there was definitely a desire to either get to a transaction or pursue one of the other strategic alternatives” the board had considered – “it was a tremendous effort by the entire [Kenvue] management team.”
The Cravath partners also discussed the continued momentum in dealmaking over the past year, with Jin noting that despite some uncertainty, “deals are forging ahead.”
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J.D., 1990, Harvard Law Schoolmagna cum laude
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A.B., 1987, Harvard Collegemagna cum laude
- New York
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J.D., 2009, Columbia Law SchoolHarlan Fiske Stone Scholar
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M.B.A., 2009, Columbia University
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B.A., 2004, Tufts UniversityPhi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude
- New York
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J.D., 2015, Harvard Law School
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A.B., 2008, Harvard Collegecum laude
- New York
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November 03, 2025
Kenvue’s $48.7 Billion Acquisition by Kimberly‑Clark
On November 3, 2025, Kenvue Inc. (“Kenvue”), a global consumer health leader, and Kimberly‑Clark Corporation (“Kimberly‑Clark”), a global personal care leader, announced an agreement under which Kimberly‑Clark will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Kenvue common stock in a cash and stock transaction that values Kenvue at an enterprise value of approximately $48.7 billion, based on the closing price of Kimberly‑Clark common stock on October 31, 2025. Under the terms of the agreement, which has been unanimously approved by each company’s Board of Directors, Kenvue shareholders will receive $3.50 per share in cash as well as 0.14625 Kimberly‑Clark shares for each Kenvue share held at closing. Upon closing of the transaction, current Kenvue shareholders are expected to own approximately 46% and current Kimberly‑Clark shareholders are expected to own approximately 54% of the combined company on a fully diluted basis. Cravath is representing Kenvue in connection with the transaction.
