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Cravath Publishes Summer 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
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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
                      Joyce Law
                      Title
                      Corporate
                      Title
                      Of Counsel
                      Email
                      jlaw@cravath.com
                      Phone
                      +1-212-474-1066
                      vCard
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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
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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
                          Photo
                          Name
                          Matthew Morreale
                          Title
                          Corporate
                          Title
                          Retired Partner
                          Email
                          mmorreale@cravath.com
                          Phone
                          +1-212-474-1534
                          vCard
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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

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                            November 05, 2026

                            Liberty Media’s Acquisition of High‑Vote Series B Common Stock from John C. Malone‑Related Entities

                            On November 5, 2026, Liberty Media Corporation (“Liberty Media”) announced that it has acquired all shares of Liberty Media’s high‑vote Series B common stock held by certain entities related to John C. Malone (the “Malone Holders”) in exchange for shares of Liberty Media’s low‑vote Series A common stock and shares of Liberty Media’s non‑voting Series C common stock. As a result of the transaction, the Malone Holders’ aggregate voting power in Liberty Media declined to approximately 3%, and no holder of Liberty Media common stock holds more than 9% of Liberty Media’s voting power, in each case, based on Liberty Media’s outstanding common stock as of October 30, 2026. The transaction was negotiated and approved by a special committee (the “Special Committee”) of Liberty Media’s board of directors consisting solely of disinterested and independent directors for purposes of Nevada law, advised by its own independent financial and legal advisors. Cravath is representing the Special Committee in connection with the transaction.

                            Deals & Cases

                            October 29, 2026

                            ADT’s $15.3 Billion Acquisition by Thrive Holdings

                            On October 29, 2026, ADT Inc. (“ADT”), a leading provider of security, interactive and smart home solutions serving residential and small business customers in the U.S., and Thrive Holdings, a permanent capital holding company focused on investing in established businesses and advancing their capabilities through technology, announced a definitive agreement under which Thrive Holdings will acquire ADT in an all‑cash transaction. The agreement values ADT at approximately $7.6 billion in equity value and $15.3 billion in enterprise value. Under the terms of the agreement, which ADT’s Board of Directors unanimously approved, ADT stockholders will receive $10.00 per share in cash upon completion. Following completion, ADT will become privately held and its common stock will cease trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Cravath is representing ADT in connection with the transaction.

                            Deals & Cases

                            August 31, 2026

                            Aon’s $17 Billion Acquisition of USI

                            On August 31, 2026, Aon, a leading global professional services firm, announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire USI, a leading provider of property & casualty, employee benefit, personal risk and retirement solutions for the middle market and the tenth largest U.S. insurance broker, from KKR and other shareholders for a total purchase price of $17 billion. Aon expects to fund the transaction, as well as related transaction expenses and other costs, with new debt raised across a range of maturities, subject to market conditions. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of Aon and the Board of Directors of USI. Cravath is representing Aon in connection with the transaction.

                            Deals & Cases

                            March 31, 2026

                            Biogen’s $5.6 Billion Acquisition of Apellis

                            On March 31, 2026, Biogen Inc. and Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement under which Biogen has agreed to acquire all outstanding shares of Apellis for $41.00 per share in cash at closing, or approximately $5.6 billion. Apellis stockholders will also receive a nontransferable CVR for each Apellis share held, entitling the holder to receive two payments of $2 per share each, contingent on certain annual global net sales thresholds being met for SYFOVRE®. Cravath is representing Biogen in connection with the transaction.

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