Illumina’s Proxy Contest Against Carl Icahn
May 25, 2023
On May 25, 2023, Illumina, a global leader in DNA sequencing and array‑based technologies, announced that Illumina shareholders have voted to elect eight of nine Illumina director nominees to the Board of Directors. Cravath represented Illumina in connection with these matters.
The Cravath team was led by partners Faiza J. Saeed, Ting S. Chen and Daniel J. Cerqueira and included associates Saagar Kaul, Joseph A. Marshall and Brianna Pang Sawhney on corporate and activist defense matters; partners Michael L. Arnold and Kimberley S. Drexler and associate Filareti Kouimtzi Filaretou corporate governance matters; and partner Matthew J. Bobby, practice area attorney Aaron S. Cha and associate Molly E. Nichols on executive compensation and benefits matters. Carly B. Sadicario also worked on corporate and activist defense matters.
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People
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J.D., 1991, Harvard Law Schoolmagna cum laude
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B.A., 1987, University of California, Berkeleywith Highest Distinction, Phi Beta Kappa
- New York
- California (Inactive)
- District of Columbia (Inactive)
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J.D., 2006, Stanford Law School
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A.B., 2003, Harvard CollegePhi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude
- New York
Education
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J.D., 2013, Harvard Law Schoolmagna cum laude
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B.A., 2010, Cornell UniversityPhi Beta Kappa
- New York
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J.D., 1997, Yale Law SchoolCoker Fellow
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B.A., 1993, University of VirginiaHighest Distinction, Echols Scholar, Phi Beta Kappa
- New York
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J.D., 2012, Harvard Law Schoolmagna cum laude
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M.A., 2009, University of Pennsylvania
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B.A., 2009, University of PennsylvaniaPhi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude
- New York
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LL.M., 2013, New York University School of Law
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J.D., 2012, Loyola Law School Los Angeles
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B.S., 2004, University of California, San Diego
- New York
- California
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Related News & Insights
Deals & Cases
June 23, 2025
Illumina’s Acquisition of SomaLogic
On June 23, 2025, Illumina, Inc. (“Illumina”) announced it has entered into a definitive agreement with Standard BioTools under which Illumina will acquire SomaLogic, a leader in data‑driven proteomics technology, and other specified assets for $350 million in cash payable at closing, subject to customary adjustments, plus up to $75 million in near-term performance‑based milestones and performance‑based royalties. Cravath is representing Illumina in connection with the transaction.
Deals & Cases
June 24, 2024
Illumina’s Completed Divestiture of GRAIL
On June 24, 2024, Illumina, Inc. (“Illumina”), a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, announced the successful completion of the spin-off of GRAIL, a healthcare company whose mission is to detect cancer early. This follows Illumina’s previously announced plans to divest GRAIL, and GRAIL is now a public and independent company. The separation was achieved through the distribution of 85.5% of the outstanding shares of GRAIL to holders of Illumina common stock on June 24, 2024. In addition to retaining their shares of Illumina common stock, Illumina shareholders received one share of GRAIL common stock for every six shares of Illumina stock held as of close of business on the record date of June 13, 2024. Illumina retained 14.5% of the outstanding shares of GRAIL common stock. Cravath represented Illumina in connection with the transaction.
