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Cravath Publishes Summer 2026 Issue of Alumni Journal

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News & Insights

Symetra’s $3.8 Billion Acquisition by Sumitomo Life

August 11, 2015

On August 11, 2015, Symetra Financial Corporation announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Sumitomo Life Insurance Company pursuant to which Sumitomo Life will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Symetra. Symetra shareholders will receive $32.00 per share in cash at closing, plus a previously announced special dividend of $0.50 per share in cash. The total combined transaction consideration of $32.50 per share is approximately $3.8 billion in aggregate and represents a 32% premium over Symetra’s average stock price of $24.64 for the 30 days ending August 5, 2015. Cravath represented Symetra in connection with this transaction.

The Cravath team was led by partners Erik R. Tavzel and Joseph D. Zavaglia and included associates Brendan R. Mahan, Paul L. Sandler and Lee M. Blum on M&A matters; partner Eric W. Hilfers, senior attorney Jarrett R. Hoffman and associate Daniel P. Herrmann on executive compensation and benefits matters; and partner Christopher K. Fargo, senior attorney Andrew Carlon and associate Tara L. Rhoades on tax matters. Summer associate Michele L. Aronson also worked on M&A matters.

Related Practices & Industries

  • Corporate
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Executive Compensation and Benefits
  • Tax
  • Financial Services and Insurance

People

Photo
Name
Joseph D. Zavaglia
Title
Corporate
Title
Partner
Email
jzavaglia@cravath.com
Phone
+1-212-474-1724
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    Education

    • J.D., 2004, Brooklyn Law School
      Valedictorian, summa cum laude
    • B.B.A., 2001, College of Insurance
      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
      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

        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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