Amanda Hines
Gold

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.

On September 19, 2025, Jefferies Financial Group, Inc. (“Jefferies”) and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc., Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and SMBC Nikko Securities Inc. (collectively, “SMBC Group”) announced they are significantly expanding their Global Strategic Alliance. This will include a joint venture to combine their Japanese equities and ECM businesses. As part of this expansion, SMBC intends to increase its equity ownership in Jefferies to up to 20% in the open market. Cravath is representing Jefferies in connection with the transactions.

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.

On April 7, 2025, IBM announced it has acquired Hakkoda Inc., a leading global data and AI consultancy. Hakkoda will expand IBM Consulting's data transformation services portfolio, adding specialized data platform expertise to help clients get their data ready to fuel AI‑powered business operations. Cravath is representing IBM in connection with the transaction.

On March 4, 2025, Pacific General, a New York‑based private investment firm, announced that it has acquired a majority stake in Lenwich, a premium sandwich brand that has been a staple in New York City since 1989. Lenwich’s founder will retain a significant equity interest in the company and continue to lead Lenwich as CEO. The partnership between Pacific General and Lenwich aims to accelerate Lenwich’s expansion beyond its home market in New York City, extending across the East Coast and the broader United States. Cravath is representing Pacific General in connection with the transaction.

On August 11, 2025, Cravath published the latest edition of its Venture Capital & Growth Equity Insights newsletter, which has been redesigned to provide greater insight into global venture capital and related activity during the first half of 2025 and outlook for the rest of the year. Key takeaways from this edition include:

On February 5, 2025, Cravath published the latest edition of its Cravath Venture Capital & Growth Equity Insights newsletter (formerly the Cravath Emerging Company and Venture Capital Insights newsletter), entitled “2024 Recap and 2025 Outlook.” The newsletter provides an overview of global venture capital and related activity during the second half of 2024 and examines emerging fundraising opportunities, key exit trends and increasing secondaries markets activity; offers insights on artificial intelligence investment and cryptocurrency valuation; and provides updates on regulatory developments.

On January 21, 2025, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “IRS Publishes Proposed Regulations to Expand Denial of Compensation Deduction Under Section 162(m).” The memo examines the Internal Revenue Service’s proposed regulations to expand the group of employees covered by Section 162(m), as required by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

On August 21, 2024, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “Texas Federal Court Invalidates FTC’s Noncompete Ban Nationwide.” The memo examines the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas’s recent opinion and order setting aside the Federal Trade Commission’s new final rule banning all noncompete agreements with employees and preventing its implementation nationwide.

On April 25, 2024, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “FTC Adopts Rule “Banning” Non‑Compete Clauses with Workers.” The memo examines the Federal Trade Commission’s recently adopted final rule broadly deeming non‑compete clauses with “workers” to be an “unfair method of competition” under Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act. The memo outlines how the final rule does not necessarily constitute a ban on non‑compete clauses, potential legal challenges to the final rule and expected future enforcement. The memo concludes with recommendations for companies to consider to ensure they are in position to adapt to the changing landscape.