Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP Logo
  • Practices
  • People
  • Careers
  • News & Insights
  • Practices
  • People
  • Careers
  • News & Insights
  • Our Story
  • The Cravath System
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Pro Bono
  • Alumni Journal
  • 200.Cravath

Cravath Publishes Winter 2026 Issue of Alumni Journal

Read More

News & Insights

SMBC Aviation Capital’s $6.7 Billion Acquisition of Goshawk Aviation

May 16, 2022

On May 16, 2022, SMBC Aviation Capital, one of the world’s leading aircraft leasing companies, announced that it has reached agreement with NWS Holdings Limited and Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Limited to acquire Goshawk Aviation (“Goshawk”), the Dublin‑based global aircraft lessor. Under the terms of the agreement, SMBC Aviation Capital will acquire Goshawk Management (Ireland), Goshawk’s Irish‑incorporated operating entity together with associated corporate assets for an enterprise value of $6.7 billion. The combined business will continue to operate as SMBC Aviation Capital and will consist of a single corporate structure incorporated in the Republic of Ireland, and will be the second largest leasing company by number of aircraft globally and the largest Japanese owned aircraft lessor. Cravath is representing SMBC Aviation Capital in connection with the transaction.

The Cravath team is led by partner Daniel J. Cerqueira and includes associates Claudia J. Ricciardi, Kelly M. Smercina, Kathryn Kennedy Bleday and Nastassia Shcherbatsevich on M&A matters; partners Craig F. Arcella and Stephen M. Kessing and associate Wonnie Song Hall on financing matters; associate Duncan H. Hardell on tax matters; senior attorney Will C. Giles and associate Danjie Fang on bank regulatory matters; partner Matthew J. Bobby, practice area attorney Arian Mossanenzadeh and associate Tiffany B. Wong on executive compensation and benefits matters; of counsel Jesse M. Weiss, practice area attorney Megan Y. Lew on regulatory matters; and practice area attorney Anthony N. Magistrale on intellectual property matters. Christopher G. Doherty also worked on financing matters.

Related Practices & Industries

  • Corporate
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Capital Markets
  • Banking and Credit
  • Tax
  • Financial Institutions Group (FIG)
  • Executive Compensation and Benefits
  • IP and Strategic Tech Transactions
  • Transportation
  • Industrials and Chemicals
  • Financial Services and Insurance

People

Photo
Name
Daniel J. Cerqueira
Title
Corporate
Title
Partner
Email
dcerqueira@cravath.com
Phone
+1-212-474-1156
vCard
Download vCard

    Education

    • J.D., 2013, Harvard Law School
      magna cum laude
    • B.A., 2010, Cornell University
      Phi Beta Kappa

    Admitted In

    • New York
    Photo
    Name
    Claudia J. Ricciardi
    Title
    Corporate
    Title
    Partner
    Email
    cricciardi@cravath.com
    Phone
    +1-212-474-1035
    vCard
    Download vCard

      Education

      • J.D., 2015, Harvard Law School
        cum laude
      • B.A., 2012, University of Pennsylvania
        Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude

      Admitted In

      • New York
      Photo
      Name
      Kelly M. Smercina
      Title
      Corporate
      Title
      Partner
      Email
      ksmercina@cravath.com
      Phone
      +1-212-474-1133
      vCard
      Download vCard

        Education

        • J.D., 2014, University of Michigan Law School
          Order of the Coif, summa cum laude
        • B.A., 2011, University of Notre Dame
          Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude

        Admitted In

        • New York
        Photo
        Name
        Craig F. Arcella
        Title
        Corporate
        Title
        Partner
        Email
        carcella@cravath.com
        Phone
        +1-212-474-1024
        vCard
        Download vCard

          Education

          • J.D., 1998, Columbia Law School
            Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
          • B.A., 1995, Duke University

          Admitted In

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

            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
            Matthew J. Bobby
            Title
            Executive Compensation and Benefits
            Title
            Partner
            Email
            mbobby@cravath.com
            Phone
            +1-212-474-1128
            vCard
            Download vCard

              Education

              • J.D., 2012, Harvard Law School
                magna cum laude
              • M.A., 2009, University of Pennsylvania
              • B.A., 2009, University of Pennsylvania
                Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude

              Admitted In

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

                Education

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

                Admitted In

                • New York

                Related News & Insights

                Deals & Cases

                February 18, 2026

                Tenax’s Merger with Air

                On February 17, 2026, Tenax Aerospace Acquisition, LLC (“Tenax”) and Air Industries Group (“Air”) jointly announced that they have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger to combine Tenax’s special mission aviation business with Air’s precision aerospace manufacturing business. At the time of the merger, Air will issue shares of its common stock to holders of Tenax membership units. After the closing, Tenax shareholders are expected to own approximately 95% of Air’s outstanding shares while existing Air shareholders are expected to own approximately 5%, and the combined company expects to remain listed on the NYSE American under the symbol AIRI. Cravath is representing Tenax in connection with the transaction.

                Deals & Cases

                February 17, 2026

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

                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”).

                Deals & Cases

                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.

                Cravath Bicentennial

                Celebrating 200 years of partnership. In 2019, we celebrated our bicentennial. Our history mirrors that of our nation. Integral to our story is our culture.

                Explore

                Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP Logo
                • CONTACT US
                • OUR STORY
                • ALUMNI PORTAL
                • DISCLAIMERS & NOTICES

                Attorney Advertising. ©2026 Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP.