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Cravath Publishes Winter 2026 Issue of Alumni Journal

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News & Insights

Stanley Black & Decker’s $1.95 Billion Acquisition of the Tools Business of Newell Brands

October 12, 2016

On October 12, 2016, Stanley Black & Decker announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Tools business of Newell Brands, which includes the industrial cutting, hand tool and power tool accessory brands Irwin® and Lenox®, for $1.95 billion in cash. Cravath is representing Stanley Black & Decker in connection with the transaction.

The Cravath team is led by partner Robert I. Townsend III and includes associates Cameron S. Stanton and Sarah R. Jacobson on corporate matters; partners Christine A. Varney and Julie A. North, senior attorney Lillian S. Grossbard and associate Molly M. Jamison on antitrust matters; partner Stephen L. Gordon and associate Joyce Y. Kim on tax matters; partner Eric W. Hilfers, senior attorney Lawrence A. Pasini, practice area attorney M. C. Tania Balthazaar and associates Matthew J. Bobby and Peretz Riesenberg on executive compensation and benefits matters; partner David J. Kappos and associate Miling Y. Harrington on intellectual property matters; and partner Matthew Morreale and senior attorney Annmarie M. Terraciano on environmental matters. Nicolas R. Yamagata is also working on corporate matters and Lucy M. R. Chambers is also working on antitrust matters.

Related Practices & Industries

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

People

Photo
Name
Robert I. Townsend III
Title
Corporate
Title
Partner
Email
rtownsend@cravath.com
Phone
+1-212-474-1964
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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
    Lillian S. Grossbard
    Title
    Litigation
    Title
    Partner
    Email
    lgrossbard@cravath.com
    Phone
    +1-212-474-1290
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      Education

      • J.D., 1997, Fordham University School of Law
        Order of the Coif
      • B.A., 1991, Smith College
        cum laude

      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
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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
        David J. Kappos
        Title
        Corporate
        Title
        Partner
        Email
        dkappos@cravath.com
        Phone
        +1-212-474-1168
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          Education

          • J.D., 1990, University of California, Berkeley, School of Law
          • B.S., 1983, University of California, Davis
            summa cum laude

          Admitted In

          • New York
          • California
          • District of Columbia
          Photo
          Name
          Matthew Morreale
          Title
          Corporate
          Title
          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

            Admitted In

            • New York
            Photo
            Name
            Annmarie M. Terraciano
            Title
            Corporate
            Title
            Of Counsel
            Email
            aterraciano@cravath.com
            Phone
            +1-212-474-1366
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              Education

              • J.D., 1998, Columbia Law School
                Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
              • M.S., 1994, University of Wisconsin - Madison
              • B.A., 1989, Wellesley College
                cum laude

              Admitted In

              • New York
              Photo
              Name
              Christine A. Varney
              Title
              Litigation
              Title
              Retired Partner
              Email
              cvarney@cravath.com
              Phone
              +1-212-474-1140
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                Education

                • J.D., 1986, Georgetown University Law Center
                • M.P.A., 1982, Syracuse University
                • B.A., 1977, State University of New York, Albany
                Photo
                Name
                Julie A. North
                Title
                Litigation
                Title
                Retired Partner
                Email
                jnorth@cravath.com
                Phone
                +1-212-474-1999
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                  Education

                  • J.D., 1989, Syracuse University College of Law
                    magna cum laude
                  • B.A., 1984, Hamilton College
                    cum laude
                  Photo
                  Name
                  Stephen L. Gordon
                  Title
                  Tax
                  Title
                  Retired Partner
                  Email
                  gordon@cravath.com
                  Phone
                  +1-212-474-1999
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                    Education

                    • J.D., 1981, Harvard Law School
                      cum laude
                    • A.B., 1978, Cornell University
                      cum laude

                    Related News & Insights

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                    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.

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