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News & Insights

British American Tobacco’s $4.7 Billion Investment as Part of Reynolds American’s $27.4 Billion Proposed Acquisition of Lorillard

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.

Related Practices & Industries

  • Corporate
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Tax
  • Antitrust
  • Consumer Products and Services

People

Photo
Name
Ting S. Chen
Title
Corporate
Title
Partner
Email
tchen@cravath.com
Phone
+1-212-474-1794
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    Education

    • J.D., 2006, Stanford Law School
    • A.B., 2003, Harvard College
      Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude

    Admitted In

    • New York
    Photo
    Name
    Christine A. Varney
    Title
    Litigation
    Title
    Partner
    Email
    cvarney@cravath.com
    Phone
    +1-212-474-1140
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      Education

      • J.D., 1986, Georgetown University Law Center
      • M.P.A., 1982, Syracuse University
      • B.A., 1977, State University of New York, Albany

      Admitted In

      • New York
      • District of Columbia
      Photo
      Name
      Philip A. Gelston
      Title
      Corporate
      Title
      Retired Partner
      Email
      pgelston@cravath.com
      Phone
      +1-212-474-1548
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        Education

        • J.D., 1977, Harvard Law School
          Sears Prize, magna cum laude
        • A.B., 1974, Harvard College
          Phi Beta Kappa, cum laude
        Photo
        Name
        Michael L. Schler
        Title
        Tax
        Title
        Retired Partner
        Email
        mschler@cravath.com
        Phone
        +1-212-474-9999
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          Education

          • LL.M., 1979, New York University
          • J.D., 1973, Yale Law School
          • B.A., 1970, Harvard University
            magna cum laude

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          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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          Wiz’s $32 Billion Acquisition by Google

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          March 17, 2025

          PepsiCo’s $1.95 Billion Acquisition of poppi

          On March 17, 2025, PepsiCo, Inc. (“PepsiCo”) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire poppi, a prebiotic soda brand, for $1.95 billion, including $300 million of anticipated cash tax benefits for a net purchase price of $1.65 billion. The transaction also includes an additional potential earnout consideration subject to the achievement of certain performance milestones within a specified period after closing of the transaction. Cravath is representing PepsiCo in connection with the transaction.

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          Bridge Investment Group’s $1.5 Billion Acquisition by Apollo

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