Cravath’s London Office Moves to 100 Cheapside
On January 30, 2014, Dassault Systèmes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, the world leader in 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, and Accelrys, Inc., a leading provider of scientific innovation lifecycle management software for chemistry, biology and materials, announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement for Dassault Systèmes to acquire San Diego‑based Accelrys, Inc. Cravath represented Dassault Systèmes in connection with this transaction.
Under the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, Dassault Systèmes will make an all cash tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of Accelrys common stock at a price of US$12.50 per share, representing a fully diluted equity value for Accelrys of approximately US$750 million. Dassault Systèmes intends to acquire any shares of Accelrys not tendered into the tender offer, via a merger as soon as practicable after the closing of the tender offer.
The Cravath team included partners Andrew R. Thompson and George E. Zobitz and associate Alan G. Grinceri on M&A matters; partner Michael L. Schler and associate Rachel H. Kiwi on tax matters; partner Eric W. Hilfers and practice area attorney Michael Krasnovsky on executive compensation and benefits matters; practice area attorney Robin C. Landis on antitrust matters; and partner David J. Kappos and practice area attorney Anthony N. Magistrale on intellectual property matters. Matthew G. Jones and Ashley N. Hughes also worked on M&A matters and Michael C. Lucien Jr. also worked on executive compensation and benefits matters.
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.
Deals & Cases
March 18, 2025
On March 18, 2025, Wiz, Inc. (“Wiz”), a leading cloud security platform headquartered in New York, and Google LLC (“Google”) announced they have signed a definitive agreement for Google to acquire Wiz for $32 billion, subject to closing adjustments, in an all‑cash transaction. Once closed, Wiz will join Google Cloud. Cravath is representing Wiz as regulatory counsel in connection with the transaction.
Deals & Cases
March 17, 2025
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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