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Cravath Publishes Winter 2026 Issue of Alumni Journal

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News & Insights

White Mountains’s Sale of Esurance and Answer Financial Businesses to Allstate

May 19, 2011

On May 18, 2011, White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Esurance and Answer Financial businesses to The Allstate Corporation for an amount in cash equal to $700 million plus the tangible book value at closing of the entities being sold. Cravath represented White Mountains Insurance Group in connection with this transaction. Esurance sells personal auto insurance directly to customers on-line and through call centers. Answer Financial is one of the largest independent personal insurance agencies in the United States.

The transaction, which is expected to close in the fall of 2011, is subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.

The Cravath team included partners Philip A. Gelston and Erik R. Tavzel, practice area attorney Peter A. Emmi and associates Robert Earl Benson Jr. and Meaghan S. Nelson on corporate matters; partner Stephen L. Gordon and associate Christopher K. Fargo on tax matters; and partner Eric W. Hilfers, practice area attorney Michael Krasnovsky and associate Brian J. Cathey on executive compensation and benefits matters. Antje Hagena also worked on tax matters.

Related Practices & Industries

  • Corporate
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Tax
  • Executive Compensation and Benefits
  • IP and Strategic Tech Transactions
  • Financial Services and Insurance

People

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
    vCard
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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
      Photo
      Name
      Philip A. Gelston
      Title
      Corporate
      Title
      Retired Partner
      Email
      pgelston@cravath.com
      Phone
      +1-212-474-1548
      vCard
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        Education

        • J.D., 1977, Harvard Law School
          Sears Prize, magna cum laude
        • A.B., 1974, Harvard College
          Phi Beta Kappa, cum laude
        Photo
        Name
        Stephen L. Gordon
        Title
        Tax
        Title
        Retired Partner
        Email
        gordon@cravath.com
        Phone
        +1-212-474-1999
        vCard
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          Education

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

          Related News & Insights

          Deals & Cases

          February 27, 2026

          White Mountains’ Strategic Investment in Bishop Street

          On February 26, 2026, Bishop Street Underwriters (“Bishop Street”), a RedBird Capital Partners portfolio company, announced that it has completed a strategic structured capital investment of $125 million by White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (“White Mountains”). Cravath is representing White Mountains in connection with the transaction.

          Deals & Cases

          October 03, 2025

          White Mountains’ $1.75 Billion Sale of Bamboo to CVC

          On October 3, 2025, White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (“White Mountains”), a Bermuda-domiciled financial services holding company, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell a controlling interest in Bamboo, a data-enabled insurance distribution platform, to funds advised by CVC Capital Partners (“CVC”) in a transaction that values Bamboo at $1.75 billion. White Mountains expects the transaction will result in a gain of approximately $310 to its book value per share and net cash proceeds of approximately $840 million. White Mountains will retain an approximately 15% fully-diluted equity stake in Bamboo post-closing, valued at $250 million based on the transaction. Cravath is representing White Mountains and Bamboo in connection with the transaction.

          Deals & Cases

          July 24, 2025

          BroadStreet Partners Completes Strategic Investment

          On July 18, 2025, BroadStreet Partners (“BroadStreet”), a leading middle-market insurance brokerage, announced the successful closing of a strategic investment by an investor group led by Ethos Capital, British Columbia Investment Management Corporation and White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (“White Mountains”). Accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Investment Management, Inc. also participated. Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan will retain a significant co control stake in BroadStreet and continue its partnership with the Ethos-led investor group. Cravath is representing White Mountains in connection with the transaction.

          Deals & Cases

          July 07, 2025

          White Mountains’ Acquisition of a Majority Stake in Distinguished

          On July 7, 2025, White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (“White Mountains”), a Bermuda‑domiciled financial services holding company, announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Distinguished Programs (“Distinguished”), an MGA and program administrator for special property & casualty insurance. White Mountains will acquire approximately 50% of Distinguished’s outstanding equity interests for $230 million, which will result in White Mountains holding a 51% controlling interest in Distinguished following the closing of the transaction. Cravath is representing White Mountains 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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