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Cravath Publishes Summer 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
          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
                  Photo
                  Name
                  Matthew Morreale
                  Title
                  Corporate
                  Title
                  Retired 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

                    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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