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Cravath Publishes Summer 2026 Issue of Alumni Journal

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News & Insights

Stanley Black & Decker’s Acquisition of Excel Industries

September 13, 2021

On September 13, 2021, Stanley Black & Decker, a leading global diversified industrial, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Excel Industries, a leading designer and manufacturer of premium commercial and residential turf-care equipment, for $375 million in cash. Cravath is representing Stanley Black & Decker in connection with the transaction.

The Cravath team is led by partners Robert I. Townsend III and Thomas E. Dunn and includes associates Jason L. Zhang and Bethany E. Clarke on M&A matters; associate Cecily Xi on tax matters; partner Eric W. Hilfers and practice area attorney Aaron S. Cha on executive compensation and benefits matters; partner Matthew Morreale on environmental matters; practice area attorneys Brian M. Budnick and Laurel R. Berkowitz on real estate matters; practice area attorney Megan Y. Lew on compliance matters; and practice area attorney Anthony N. Magistrale on intellectual property matters. Paul A. Bryant also worked on M&A matters.

Related Practices & Industries

  • Corporate
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Tax
  • Executive Compensation and Benefits
  • Environmental
  • IP and Strategic Tech Transactions
  • Industrials and Chemicals
  • Consumer Products and Services

People

Photo
Name
Robert I. Townsend III
Title
Corporate
Title
Partner
Email
rtownsend@cravath.com
Phone
+1-212-474-1964
vCard
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    Education

    • J.D., 1990, Harvard Law School
      magna cum laude
    • A.B., 1987, Harvard College
      magna cum laude

    Admitted In

    • New York
    Photo
    Name
    Thomas E. Dunn
    Title
    Corporate
    Title
    Partner
    Email
    tdunn@cravath.com
    Phone
    +1-212-474-1108
    vCard
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      Education

      • J.D., 1992, Duke Law School
        summa cum laude
      • B.A., 1987, College of William & Mary

      Admitted In

      • New York
      Photo
      Name
      Eric W. Hilfers
      Title
      Executive Compensation and Benefits
      Title
      Partner
      Email
      ehilfers@cravath.com
      Phone
      +1-212-474-1352
      vCard
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        Education

        • J.D., 1998, University of Chicago Law School
          with Honors
        • A.B., 1995, Princeton University

        Admitted In

        • New York
        Photo
        Name
        Aaron S. Cha
        Title
        Executive Compensation and Benefits
        Title
        Of Counsel
        Email
        acha@cravath.com
        Phone
        +1-212-474-1944
        vCard
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          Education

          • LL.M., 2013, New York University School of Law
          • J.D., 2012, Loyola Law School Los Angeles
          • B.S., 2004, University of California, San Diego

          Admitted In

          • New York
          • California
          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
            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

              Related News & Insights

              Deals & Cases

              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.

              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.

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