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

Cravath Publishes Summer 2026 Issue of Alumni Journal

Read More

News & Insights

Brightline’s Acquisition of XpressWest

September 18, 2018

On September 18, 2018, Brightline, the nation’s only privately owned, operated and maintained express intercity passenger rail system, announced that it has agreed to acquire XpressWest, a high‑speed passenger rail project with rights to develop a federally approved corridor connecting Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. This project would be only the second privately funded express intercity passenger rail in the United States, following Brightline’s Florida rail corridor. Cravath is representing Brightline, a portfolio company of Fortress Investment Group LLC, in connection with the transaction.

The Cravath team includes associates Matthew G. Jones, Matthew L. Ploszek, Robert C. Warshaw and Quinn Wetherall on M&A matters; partners Andrew W. Needham and Christopher K. Fargo, senior attorney Andrew Carlon and associates Damien J. Rose and Andrew L. Mandelbaum on tax matters; partner Matthew Morreale on environmental matters; senior attorney M. C. Tania Balthazaar on executive compensation and benefits matters; and practice area attorney Brian M. Budnick on real estate matters.

Related Practices & Industries

  • Corporate
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Tax
  • Environmental
  • Executive Compensation and Benefits
  • Private Equity
  • Transportation

People

Photo
Name
Christopher K. Fargo
Title
Tax
Title
Partner
Email
cfargo@cravath.com
Phone
+1-212-474-1236
vCard
Download vCard

    Education

    • J.D., 2006, Columbia Law School
      Harlan Fiske Stone; Michael Lynne Scholar
    • B.A., 2003, Boston College
      Honors Program, cum laude

    Admitted In

    • New York
    Photo
    Name
    Brian M. Budnick
    Title
    Corporate
    Title
    Of Counsel
    Email
    bbudnick@cravath.com
    Phone
    +1-212-474-1914
    vCard
    Download vCard

      Education

      • J.D., 2011, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
        cum laude
      • B.A., 2006, University of Virginia

      Admitted In

      • New York
      Photo
      Name
      Andrew W. Needham
      Title
      Tax
      Title
      Retired Partner
      Email
      aneedham@cravath.com
      Phone
      +1-212-474-1999
      vCard
      Download vCard

        Education

        • M.B.A., 1992, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
        • LL.M., 1990, Georgetown University Law Center
        • J.D., 1986, Georgetown University Law Center
        • B.A., 1982, University of Arizona College of Law
        Photo
        Name
        Matthew Morreale
        Title
        Corporate
        Title
        Retired Partner
        Email
        mmorreale@cravath.com
        Phone
        +1-212-474-1534
        vCard
        Download vCard

          Education

          • J.D., 1997, Columbia Law School
            Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
          • M.S., 1994, University of Pennsylvania
          • B.A., 1990, University of Pennsylvania
          • B.A.S., 1990, University of Pennsylvania

          Related News & Insights

          Deals & Cases

          November 05, 2026

          Liberty Media’s Acquisition of High‑Vote Series B Common Stock from John C. Malone‑Related Entities

          On November 5, 2026, Liberty Media Corporation (“Liberty Media”) announced that it has acquired all shares of Liberty Media’s high‑vote Series B common stock held by certain entities related to John C. Malone (the “Malone Holders”) in exchange for shares of Liberty Media’s low‑vote Series A common stock and shares of Liberty Media’s non‑voting Series C common stock. As a result of the transaction, the Malone Holders’ aggregate voting power in Liberty Media declined to approximately 3%, and no holder of Liberty Media common stock holds more than 9% of Liberty Media’s voting power, in each case, based on Liberty Media’s outstanding common stock as of October 30, 2026. The transaction was negotiated and approved by a special committee (the “Special Committee”) of Liberty Media’s board of directors consisting solely of disinterested and independent directors for purposes of Nevada law, advised by its own independent financial and legal advisors. Cravath is representing the Special Committee in connection with the transaction.

          Deals & Cases

          October 29, 2026

          ADT’s $15.3 Billion Acquisition by Thrive Holdings

          On October 29, 2026, ADT Inc. (“ADT”), a leading provider of security, interactive and smart home solutions serving residential and small business customers in the U.S., and Thrive Holdings, a permanent capital holding company focused on investing in established businesses and advancing their capabilities through technology, announced a definitive agreement under which Thrive Holdings will acquire ADT in an all‑cash transaction. The agreement values ADT at approximately $7.6 billion in equity value and $15.3 billion in enterprise value. Under the terms of the agreement, which ADT’s Board of Directors unanimously approved, ADT stockholders will receive $10.00 per share in cash upon completion. Following completion, ADT will become privately held and its common stock will cease trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Cravath is representing ADT in connection with the transaction.

          Deals & Cases

          August 31, 2026

          Aon’s $17 Billion Acquisition of USI

          On August 31, 2026, Aon, a leading global professional services firm, announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire USI, a leading provider of property & casualty, employee benefit, personal risk and retirement solutions for the middle market and the tenth largest U.S. insurance broker, from KKR and other shareholders for a total purchase price of $17 billion. Aon expects to fund the transaction, as well as related transaction expenses and other costs, with new debt raised across a range of maturities, subject to market conditions. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of Aon and the Board of Directors of USI. Cravath is representing Aon in connection with the transaction.

          Deals & Cases

          March 31, 2026

          Biogen’s $5.6 Billion Acquisition of Apellis

          On March 31, 2026, Biogen Inc. and Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement under which Biogen has agreed to acquire all outstanding shares of Apellis for $41.00 per share in cash at closing, or approximately $5.6 billion. Apellis stockholders will also receive a nontransferable CVR for each Apellis share held, entitling the holder to receive two payments of $2 per share each, contingent on certain annual global net sales thresholds being met for SYFOVRE®. Cravath is representing Biogen in connection with the transaction.

          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.