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Cravath Publishes Winter 2026 Issue of Alumni Journal

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News & Insights

Kennedy Wilson’s Acquisition by Consortium Led by William McMorrow and Fairfax

February 17, 2026

On February 17, 2026, Kennedy‑Wilson Holdings, Inc. (“Kennedy Wilson”) and Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (“Fairfax”) jointly announced that Kennedy Wilson has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired, in an all cash‑transaction, by an entity affiliated with a consortium led by William McMorrow, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kennedy Wilson, and certain other senior executives of Kennedy Wilson (collectively, the “KW Management Group”), together with Fairfax (collectively, the “Consortium”).

The Consortium will acquire all outstanding common shares of Kennedy Wilson other than certain shares owned by the members of the Consortium and their respective affiliates for $10.90 per share in cash. Following consummation of the transaction, the KW Management Group, led by William McMorrow, will have effective and operational control of and will continue to lead and have ultimate responsibility for Kennedy Wilson and its subsidiaries. Fairfax is expected to have a majority of the economic interest in Kennedy Wilson immediately following the closing of the transaction. Cravath is representing the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Kennedy Wilson in connection with the transaction.

The Cravath team is led by partners Faiza J. Saeed, Cole DuMond and Alexander E. Greenberg and includes associates Mary Jean Perzik, Y. Grace Lin and Joshua Kameel on M&A matters; partners Andrew J. Pitts, Stephen M. Kessing and Ryan J. Patrone and associate Courtney T. Seager on financing matters; partner Christopher K. Fargo and associates Jonathan Minion and Frederick Schemel on tax matters; partner Jonathan J. Katz and associates Anna Mikaelyan, Brendon J. Klein and S. Celine Li on executive compensation and benefits matters; partner Sasha Rosenthal‑Larrea and associates Sarah R. Brathwaite and Nilofar Vakili on intellectual property matters; partner Jesse M. Weiss on antitrust matters; partner Matthew Morreale on environmental matters; and of counsels Joyce Law and Brian M. Budnick on real estate matters. Elisa B. Kong also worked on M&A matters and Mohamed Camara worked on antitrust matters.

Related Practices & Industries

  • Corporate
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Capital Markets
  • Banking and Credit
  • Tax
  • Executive Compensation and Benefits
  • IP and Strategic Tech Transactions
  • Antitrust
  • Environmental
  • Real Estate and Hospitality
  • Financial Services and Insurance

People

Photo
Name
Faiza J. Saeed
Title
Corporate
Title
Partner
Email
fsaeed@cravath.com
Phone
+1-212-474-1454
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    Education

    • J.D., 1991, Harvard Law School
      magna cum laude
    • B.A., 1987, University of California, Berkeley
      with Highest Distinction, Phi Beta Kappa

    Admitted In

    • New York
    • California (Inactive)
    • District of Columbia (Inactive)
    Photo
    Name
    Cole DuMond
    Title
    Corporate
    Title
    Partner
    Email
    cdumond@cravath.com
    Phone
    +1-212-474-1216
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      Education

      • J.D., 2016, University of Pennsylvania Law School
        cum laude
      • B.S., 2013, Cornell University

      Admitted In

      • New York
      Photo
      Name
      Alexander E. Greenberg
      Title
      Corporate
      Title
      Partner
      Email
      agreenberg@cravath.com
      Phone
      +1-212-474-1206
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        Education

        • J.D., 2017, Harvard Law School
        • B.A., 2012, Bates College

        Admitted In

        • New York
        Photo
        Name
        Andrew J. Pitts
        Title
        Corporate
        Title
        Partner
        Email
        apitts@cravath.com
        Phone
        +1-212-474-1620
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          Education

          • M.B.A., 1995, Boston University
            with High Honors
          • J.D., 1994, Boston University School of Law
            summa cum laude
          • B.A., 1988, Trinity College

          Admitted In

          • New York
          Photo
          Name
          Stephen M. Kessing
          Title
          Corporate
          Title
          Partner
          Email
          skessing@cravath.com
          Phone
          +1-212-474-1152
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            Education

            • J.D., 2005, Duke Law School
              Order of the Coif, magna cum laude
            • M.B.A., 2001, University of Southern California
            • B.S., 1995, Miami University of Ohio

            Admitted In

            • New York
            Photo
            Name
            Ryan J. Patrone
            Title
            Corporate
            Title
            Partner
            Email
            rpatrone@cravath.com
            Phone
            +1-212-474-1280
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              Education

              • J.D., 2015, New York University School of Law
                Order of the Coif; Florence Allen Scholar, magna cum laude
              • B.S., 2012, University of Florida
                summa cum laude

              Admitted In

              • New York
              Photo
              Name
              Christopher K. Fargo
              Title
              Tax
              Title
              Partner
              Email
              cfargo@cravath.com
              Phone
              +1-212-474-1236
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                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
                Jonathan J. Katz
                Title
                Executive Compensation and Benefits
                Title
                Partner
                Email
                jkatz@cravath.com
                Phone
                +1-212-474-1538
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                  Education

                  • LL.M., 2013, New York University School of Law
                  • J.D., 2007, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
                    Order of the Coif, Dean's Distinguished Scholar, summa cum laude
                  • B.S., 2003, Cornell University

                  Admitted In

                  • New York
                  Photo
                  Name
                  Sasha Rosenthal-Larrea
                  Title
                  Corporate
                  Title
                  Partner
                  Email
                  srosenthal-larrea@cravath.com
                  Phone
                  +1-212-474-1967
                  vCard
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                    Education

                    • J.D., 2010, Columbia Law School
                      Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
                    • A.B., 2007, Brown University

                    Admitted In

                    • New York
                    Photo
                    Name
                    Jesse M. Weiss
                    Title
                    Litigation
                    Title
                    Partner
                    Email
                    jweiss@cravath.com
                    Phone
                    +1-212-474-1421
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                      Education

                      • J.D., 2008, Georgetown University Law Center
                        magna cum laude
                      • B.A., 2003, University of Maryland

                      Admitted In

                      • New York
                      Photo
                      Name
                      Matthew Morreale
                      Title
                      Corporate
                      Title
                      Partner
                      Email
                      mmorreale@cravath.com
                      Phone
                      +1-212-474-1534
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                        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

                        Admitted In

                        • New York
                        Photo
                        Name
                        Joyce Law
                        Title
                        Corporate
                        Title
                        Of Counsel
                        Email
                        jlaw@cravath.com
                        Phone
                        +1-212-474-1066
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                          Education

                          • J.D., 1997, Boston University School of Law
                          • B.Comm., 1994, University of Alberta
                            Distinction

                          Admitted In

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

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

                            Admitted In

                            • New York

                            Related News & Insights

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                            February 17, 2026

                            MTN’s Proposed $6.2 Billion Acquisition of IHS

                            On February 17, 2026, MTN Group Limited (“MTN”), Africa’s largest mobile network operator, announced that it has entered into an agreement with IHS Holding Limited (“IHS”), one of the largest independent owners, operators and developers of shared communications infrastructure in the world, to acquire the remaining shares of IHS not already owned by MTN in an all‑cash transaction at an offer price of $8.50 per IHS share, which implies an enterprise value of $6.2 billion. The structure of the transaction is intended such that, upon completion of IHS’ announced disposals of its Latin American businesses, MTN will acquire 100% of IHS’ African tower portfolio. Following the completion of the transaction, IHS will be de‑listed from the New York Stock Exchange. Cravath is representing MTN in connection with the transaction.

                            Deals & Cases

                            February 16, 2026

                            Hapag-Lloyd’s Over $4 Billion Acquisition of ZIM

                            On February 16, 2026, Hapag‑Lloyd signed an agreement with Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (“ZIM”), the world’s 10th largest container shipping line, under which Hapag‑Lloyd will acquire 100% of ZIM’s shares for a consideration of $35 per share in cash. The total transaction value amounts to over $4 billion. As part of the transaction, FIMI Opportunity Funds will take ownership of a carved‑out Israeli container liner business. Cravath is representing Hapag‑Lloyd in connection with the transaction.

                            Deals & Cases

                            December 22, 2025

                            CWAN’s $8.4 Billion Acquisition by Permira and Warburg Pincus

                            On December 21, 2025, Clearwater Analytics (“CWAN”) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired in a transaction valued at approximately $8.4 billion by a Permira and Warburg Pincus‑led Investor Group (the “Investor Group”), with participation from Temasek. The Investor Group has key support from Francisco Partners. The Special Committee of the CWAN Board of Directors unanimously recommended this transaction and the CWAN Board of Directors subsequently approved this transaction. Under the terms of the agreement, CWAN stockholders will receive $24.55 per share in cash upon completion of the proposed transaction. Cravath is representing the Special Committee of the CWAN Board of Directors in connection with the transaction.

                            Deals & Cases

                            November 03, 2025

                            Kenvue’s $48.7 Billion Acquisition by Kimberly‑Clark

                            On November 3, 2025, Kenvue Inc. (“Kenvue”), a global consumer health leader, and Kimberly‑Clark Corporation (“Kimberly‑Clark”), a global personal care leader, announced an agreement under which Kimberly‑Clark will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Kenvue common stock in a cash and stock transaction that values Kenvue at an enterprise value of approximately $48.7 billion, based on the closing price of Kimberly‑Clark common stock on October 31, 2025. Under the terms of the agreement, which has been unanimously approved by each company’s Board of Directors, Kenvue shareholders will receive $3.50 per share in cash as well as 0.14625 Kimberly‑Clark shares for each Kenvue share held at closing. Upon closing of the transaction, current Kenvue shareholders are expected to own approximately 46% and current Kimberly‑Clark shareholders are expected to own approximately 54% of the combined company on a fully diluted basis. Cravath is representing Kenvue in connection with the transaction.

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