Cravath’s London Office Moves to 100 Cheapside
July 15, 2014
On July 15, 2014, British American Tobacco (“BAT”) announced that it has agreed to invest approximately US$4.7 billion as part of Reynolds American’s proposed acquisition of Lorillard, enabling BAT to maintain its 42% ownership in Reynolds American following the acquisition. The boards of both Reynolds American, an associate company of BAT, and Lorillard have announced the proposed purchase of Lorillard by Reynolds American for approximately US$27.4 billion, including the assumption of net debt, equivalent to US$68.88 per Lorillard share. Reynolds American also announced that it has reached an agreement with Imperial Tobacco under which Imperial has agreed to purchase the KOOL, Salem, Winston, Maverick and blu eCigs brands and other assets and liabilities for a total consideration of approximately $7.1 billion in cash.
Cravath represented BAT, which participated actively in all the negotiations in connection with these transactions. The completion of the transactions is subject to receipt of shareholder and regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.
The Cravath team was led by partners Philip A. Gelston and Ting S. Chen and included associates Amanda R. Fenster and Wenying Zhang on M&A matters; partner Michael L. Schler on tax matters; and partner Christine A. Varney and associate Katherine A. Rocco on antitrust matters. Summer associates Kayla K. Strong and Claudia J. Ricciardi also worked on M&A 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.
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