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

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
vCard
Download vCard

    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
    vCard
    Download vCard

      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
      vCard
      Download vCard

        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

        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.