Unilever’s Acquisition of Alberto Culver

On September 27, 2010, Unilever announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire U.S.-based Alberto Culver Company for US$3.7 billion in cash. Cravath represented Unilever in this transaction. Unilever will acquire successful brands such as TRESemme®, Nexxus®, VO5® and St. Ives®. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval, the approval of Alberto Culver shareholders and other customary closing conditions.

The Cravath team included partners Mark I. Greene and Peter S. Wilson and associates Aaron Gruber, Jinhee J. Chung, Bomi Lee and Richard Luft on corporate matters; partner Michael L. Schler and associates Joanne J. Lee and Jennifer R. Graff on tax matters; associate Lori Diamond Goodman on executive compensation and benefits matters; partner Kevin J. Grehan and practice area attorney Joyce Law on real estate matters; and practice area attorney Matthew Morreale on environmental matters.