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Richard
Hall

Partner, Corporate

rhall@cravath.com
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Richard Hall is Head of the Mergers and Acquisitions Practice for EMEA. He has been described as a “consummate attorney with a business mind” who “brings extremely creative ideas to the table.” Mr. Hall’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and matters relating to activist defense.

Mr. Hall’s clients have included AngloGold Ashanti, Archer-Daniels-Midland, AXA, Banco Santander, Barrick Gold, Brookfield, Deutsche Telekom, DMGT, GKN, The Linde Group, Lindsay Goldberg, Peabody Energy, Royal Dutch Shell, Time Warner, WestRock, Weyerhaeuser and The Williams Companies. 

Mr. Hall’s notable representations include:

  • CymaBay Therapeutics in its $4.3 billion acquisition by Gilead Sciences;
  • WestRock in its $20 billion combination with Smurfit Kappa, creating Smurfit WestRock, its $4.9 billion acquisition of KapStone Paper and Packaging and its $2.3 billion acquisition of Multi Packaging Solutions;
  • Brookfield and its affiliates in Brookfield Renewable’s strategic partnership with Cameco to acquire Westinghouse for $8 billion, the $4.3 billion acquisition of American Equity Investment Life (“AEL”) following the strategic partnership with AEL in which Brookfield acquired a 19.9% stake through a PIPE equity investment, the $3.8 billion acquisition of a controlling stake and $1.58 billion acquisition of the remaining stake in TerraForm Power and the $1.3 billion acquisition of TerraForm Global;
  • DMGT in the $8.1 billion business combination of Cazoo and AJAX I SPAC;
  • The special committee of the Hudson board of directors in the sale of all remaining equity interests in Hudson to Dufry;
  • Deutsche Telekom (“DT”) in its Master Framework Agreement with SoftBank and T-Mobile realigning the ownership and governance of T-Mobile, pursuant to which DT consented to SoftBank’s sale of approximately 198 million T-Mobile shares in the capital markets for approximately $20 billion and DT received call options on approximately 101 million additional T-Mobile shares held by SoftBank, and the $7.3 billion two‑part transaction in which DT increased its ownership stake in T‑Mobile US;
  • Barrick Gold in its proposed $42 billion merger and subsequent joint venture with Newmont Mining and its $18.3 billion merger with Randgold Resources;
  • Peabody Energy in its proposed joint venture with Arch Resources;
  • GKN in the proposed $6.1 billion combination of GKN’s Driveline business and Dana;
  • AXA in its $15.3 billion acquisition of XL;
  • The Linde Group in its $70 billion merger of equals with Praxair and its $4.6 billion acquisition of Lincare;
  • The Williams Companies in its exploration of strategic alternatives, including its rejection of an unsolicited acquisition proposal and subsequent proposed $37.7 billion business combination transaction with Energy Transfer;
  • MarkWest Energy in its $21 billion merger with MPLX;
  • Delhaize in its $29 billion merger of equals with Royal Ahold;
  • Grupo Villar Mir and its subsidiary Grupo FerroAtlántica in its combination with Globe Specialty Metals;
  • Rock‑Tenn in its $16 billion combination with MeadWestvaco;
  • Covance in its $6.2 billion sale to LabCorp;
  • Life Technologies in its $15.8 billion sale to Thermo Fisher Scientific; and
  • The special committee of the independent directors of CNH Global, as U.S. counsel, in connection with the merger of Fiat Industrial and CNH Global with and into CNH Industrial.

Mr. Hall has been named a “Dealmaker of the Year” by The American Lawyer, a “Mergers & Acquisitions MVP” by Law360 and a Mergers & Acquisitions Trailblazer by The National Law Journal. The Financial Times has repeatedly featured Mr. Hall’s client representations as among the most innovative in North America. He has been cited as a leading practitioner in mergers and acquisitions by, among others, Chambers USA, Chambers Global, The Legal 500 US, The Legal 500 Latin America, IFLR1000, The Best Lawyers in America, Who's Who Legal: M&A and Governance, Lawdragon and Latin Lawyer 250. Mr. Hall has also been recognized for his work in private equity by The Legal 500 US.

Mr. Hall is a frequent speaker and author on topics related to developments in corporate and mergers and acquisitions law. He has spoken multiple times at the Corporate Law Institute hosted by Tulane University Law School and has served as Contributing Editor of The Legal 500’s “Mergers & Acquisitions Country Comparative Guide.”

Mr. Hall was born in Melbourne, Australia. He received a B.Com. with honors in 1984 and an LL.B. with honors in 1986 from the University of Melbourne, and an LL.M. from Harvard Law School in 1988.

Mr. Hall joined Cravath in 1988 and was elected a partner in 1995.

Mr. Hall’s clients have included AngloGold Ashanti, Archer-Daniels-Midland, AXA, Banco Santander, Barrick Gold, Brookfield, Deutsche Telekom, DMGT, GKN, The Linde Group, Lindsay Goldberg, Peabody Energy, Royal Dutch Shell, Time Warner, WestRock, Weyerhaeuser and The Williams Companies. 

Mr. Hall’s notable representations include:

  • CymaBay Therapeutics in its $4.3 billion acquisition by Gilead Sciences;
  • WestRock in its $20 billion combination with Smurfit Kappa, creating Smurfit WestRock, its $4.9 billion acquisition of KapStone Paper and Packaging and its $2.3 billion acquisition of Multi Packaging Solutions;
  • Brookfield and its affiliates in Brookfield Renewable’s strategic partnership with Cameco to acquire Westinghouse for $8 billion, the $4.3 billion acquisition of American Equity Investment Life (“AEL”) following the strategic partnership with AEL in which Brookfield acquired a 19.9% stake through a PIPE equity investment, the $3.8 billion acquisition of a controlling stake and $1.58 billion acquisition of the remaining stake in TerraForm Power and the $1.3 billion acquisition of TerraForm Global;
  • DMGT in the $8.1 billion business combination of Cazoo and AJAX I SPAC;
  • The special committee of the Hudson board of directors in the sale of all remaining equity interests in Hudson to Dufry;
  • Deutsche Telekom (“DT”) in its Master Framework Agreement with SoftBank and T-Mobile realigning the ownership and governance of T-Mobile, pursuant to which DT consented to SoftBank’s sale of approximately 198 million T-Mobile shares in the capital markets for approximately $20 billion and DT received call options on approximately 101 million additional T-Mobile shares held by SoftBank, and the $7.3 billion two‑part transaction in which DT increased its ownership stake in T‑Mobile US;
  • Barrick Gold in its proposed $42 billion merger and subsequent joint venture with Newmont Mining and its $18.3 billion merger with Randgold Resources;
  • Peabody Energy in its proposed joint venture with Arch Resources;
  • GKN in the proposed $6.1 billion combination of GKN’s Driveline business and Dana;
  • AXA in its $15.3 billion acquisition of XL;
  • The Linde Group in its $70 billion merger of equals with Praxair and its $4.6 billion acquisition of Lincare;
  • The Williams Companies in its exploration of strategic alternatives, including its rejection of an unsolicited acquisition proposal and subsequent proposed $37.7 billion business combination transaction with Energy Transfer;
  • MarkWest Energy in its $21 billion merger with MPLX;
  • Delhaize in its $29 billion merger of equals with Royal Ahold;
  • Grupo Villar Mir and its subsidiary Grupo FerroAtlántica in its combination with Globe Specialty Metals;
  • Rock‑Tenn in its $16 billion combination with MeadWestvaco;
  • Covance in its $6.2 billion sale to LabCorp;
  • Life Technologies in its $15.8 billion sale to Thermo Fisher Scientific; and
  • The special committee of the independent directors of CNH Global, as U.S. counsel, in connection with the merger of Fiat Industrial and CNH Global with and into CNH Industrial.

Mr. Hall has been named a “Dealmaker of the Year” by The American Lawyer, a “Mergers & Acquisitions MVP” by Law360 and a Mergers & Acquisitions Trailblazer by The National Law Journal. The Financial Times has repeatedly featured Mr. Hall’s client representations as among the most innovative in North America. He has been cited as a leading practitioner in mergers and acquisitions by, among others, Chambers USA, Chambers Global, The Legal 500 US, The Legal 500 Latin America, IFLR1000, The Best Lawyers in America, Who's Who Legal: M&A and Governance, Lawdragon and Latin Lawyer 250. Mr. Hall has also been recognized for his work in private equity by The Legal 500 US.

Mr. Hall is a frequent speaker and author on topics related to developments in corporate and mergers and acquisitions law. He has spoken multiple times at the Corporate Law Institute hosted by Tulane University Law School and has served as Contributing Editor of The Legal 500’s “Mergers & Acquisitions Country Comparative Guide.”

Mr. Hall was born in Melbourne, Australia. He received a B.Com. with honors in 1984 and an LL.B. with honors in 1986 from the University of Melbourne, and an LL.M. from Harvard Law School in 1988.

Mr. Hall joined Cravath in 1988 and was elected a partner in 1995.

Education

  • LL.M., 1988, Harvard Law School
  • LL.B., 1986, University of Melbourne
    with Honors
  • B.Com., 1984, University of Melbourne
    with Honors

Admitted In

  • New York

Professional Affiliations

International Bar Association

  • Corporate and M&A Law Committee
  • Securities Law Committee

American Bar Association

Organizations

Practical Law Company

  • Member, Advisory Board

Rankings

The American Lawyer

  • Dealmaker of the Year (2018)

Best Lawyers in America

  • Corporate Law (2025, 2024, 2023)
  • International Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2025‑2016)
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2025‑2007)

Chambers Global

  • Corporate M&A (International & Cross-Border) - USA (2025‑2007)

Chambers USA

  • Corporate/M&A - New York (2024‑2007)
  • Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense - New York (2018, 2017)

IFLR1000

  • Mergers and Acquisitions - US (2024‑2005)

Latin Lawyer 250: Latin America’s Leading Business Law Firms

  • Corporate and M&A - International (2020, 2019, 2018, 2016‑2009)

Law360

  • Mergers & Acquisitions MVP of the Year (2018)

Lawdragon

  • Legends of the 500 Leading Lawyers in America (2019)
  • 500 Leading Lawyers in America (2025‑2011, 2008, 2007) 
  • 500 Leading Dealmakers in America (2024-2021, 2007)

The Legal 500 Hall of Fame

  • M&A/Corporate and Commercial: Large Deals, $1bn+

The Legal 500 Latin America

  • Corporate and M&A - Latin America: International Firms (2019‑2012)

The Legal 500 US

  • M&A/Corporate and Commercial: Large Deals, $1bn+ (2023-2010, 2007)
  • Private Equity Buyouts: Large Deals, 500m+ (2024)
  • Shareholder Activism: Advice to Boards (2024, 2023, 2021, 2020)
  • Telecoms and Broadcast: Transactions (2014, 2012)

The National Law Journal

  • M&A and Antitrust Trailblazers (2016)

Deals & Cases

April 30, 2024

Sensata Technologies’ Cooperation Agreement with Elliott

On April 29, 2024, Sensata Technologies Holding plc (“Sensata Technologies”), a global industrial technology company, announced that it has entered into a Cooperation Agreement with Elliott Investment Management L.P. (“Elliott”). The Cooperation Agreement contains customary standstill, voting and other provisions. Cravath is representing Sensata Technologies in connection with the agreement.

Deals & Cases

February 12, 2024

CymaBay Therapeutics’ $4.3 Billion Acquisition by Gilead Sciences

On February 12, 2024, CymaBay Therapeutics (“CymaBay”) and Gilead Sciences, Inc. (“Gilead”) announced a definitive agreement under which Gilead will acquire CymaBay for $32.50 per share in cash or a total equity value of $4.3 billion. The addition of CymaBay’s investigational lead product candidate, seladelpar for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis, complements Gilead’s existing liver portfolio and aligns with its longstanding commitment to bringing transformational medicines to patients. Cravath is representing CymaBay in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

November 21, 2023

Amentum’s Merger with Jacobs’ Critical Mission Solutions and Cyber and Intelligence Businesses

On November 20, 2023, Amentum, a portfolio company of Lindsay Goldberg and American Securities, announced a definitive agreement to merge with Jacobs’ Critical Mission Solutions and Cyber and Intelligence businesses, creating a new leader in systems integration and technology solutions. The transaction, which is structured as an all‑stock, Reverse Morris Trust transaction, will result in a publicly traded combined organization with $13 billion in revenue and more than 53,000 employees in 83 countries. Cravath is representing Amentum in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

September 12, 2023

WestRock’s $20 Billion Combination with Smurfit Kappa to Create Global Leader in Sustainable Packaging

On September 12, 2023, the Boards of WestRock and Smurfit Kappa announced the signing of a definitive transaction agreement to create Smurfit WestRock, a global leader in sustainable packaging. Together, Smurfit Kappa and WestRock generated combined last twelve months’ adjusted annual revenue of approximately $34 billion as of June 30, 2023. Cravath is representing WestRock in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

July 05, 2023

Brookfield Reinsurance’s $4.3 Billion Acquisition of AEL

On July 5, 2023, Brookfield Reinsurance, which operates a leading capital solutions business providing insurance and reinsurance services to individuals and institutions, and American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (“AEL”) announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement whereby Brookfield Reinsurance will acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of AEL it does not already own in a cash and stock transaction that values AEL at approximately $4.3 billion. Cravath is representing Brookfield Reinsurance in connection with the transaction.

Publications

April 08, 2025

Richard Hall and Dan Cerqueira Contribute to Legal 500’s 2025 Country Comparative M&A Guide

Cravath partner Richard Hall served as contributing editor of Legal 500’s 2025 “Mergers & Acquisitions Country Comparative Guide,” which was published in April 2025. The guide provides a pragmatic overview of M&A laws and regulations across a variety of jurisdictions. Together with Richard, partner Daniel J. Cerqueira authored the United States chapter of the guide, which reviews M&A trends, the current state of the market and key considerations for companies and shareholders.

Activities

March 07, 2025

Richard Hall Speaks at Tulane University Law School’s 37th Corporate Law Institute

On March 7, 2025, Cravath partner Richard Hall spoke at the 37th Corporate Law Institute, which was hosted by Tulane University Law School from March 6‑7, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and featured members of the judiciary, journalists and leading corporate counsel and investment bankers to discuss the latest developments in M&A, corporate and securities law. Richard spoke on a panel entitled “Regulatory Merger Control Regimes – M&A in a Time of Regulatory Uncertainty.”

Publications

November 13, 2024

Richard Hall and Adam Sanchez Co‑Author Guide with Travers Smith on UK Public Takeovers for U.S. PE Sponsors

Cravath partners Richard Hall and Adam M. Sanchez and associate Yeana Lee co‑authored a guide with attorneys from Travers Smith entitled “Public Takeovers in the UK – A Guide for US PE Sponsors,” which was published on November 13, 2024. The guide provides a practical review of the UK Takeover Code and addresses key matters that should be considered by U.S. private equity sponsors on any potential UK public takeover.

Publications

April 10, 2024

Richard Hall and Dan Cerqueira Contribute to The Legal 500’s 2024 Country Comparative M&A Guide

Cravath partner Richard Hall served as contributing editor of The Legal 500’s 2024 “Mergers & Acquisitions Country Comparative Guide,” which was published in April 2024. The guide provides a pragmatic overview of M&A laws and regulations across a variety of jurisdictions. Together with Richard, partner Daniel J. Cerqueira authored the United States chapter of the guide, which reviews M&A trends, the current state of the market and key considerations for companies and shareholders.

Activities

March 08, 2024

Richard Hall Speaks at Tulane University Law School’s 36th Corporate Law Institute

On March 8, 2024, Cravath partner Richard Hall spoke at the 36th Corporate Law Institute, which was hosted by Tulane University Law School from March 7‑8, 2024, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and featured judges and leading professionals to discuss the latest developments in M&A, corporate and securities law. Richard spoke on a panel entitled “Regulatory Merger Control Regimes – Developments in Antitrust and Foreign Direct Investments.”

Richard Hall is Head of the Mergers and Acquisitions Practice for EMEA. He has been described as a “consummate attorney with a business mind” who “brings extremely creative ideas to the table.” Mr. Hall’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and matters relating to activist defense.

Mr. Hall’s clients have included AngloGold Ashanti, Archer-Daniels-Midland, AXA, Banco Santander, Barrick Gold, Brookfield, Deutsche Telekom, DMGT, GKN, The Linde Group, Lindsay Goldberg, Peabody Energy, Royal Dutch Shell, Time Warner, WestRock, Weyerhaeuser and The Williams Companies. 

Mr. Hall’s notable representations include:

  • CymaBay Therapeutics in its $4.3 billion acquisition by Gilead Sciences;
  • WestRock in its $20 billion combination with Smurfit Kappa, creating Smurfit WestRock, its $4.9 billion acquisition of KapStone Paper and Packaging and its $2.3 billion acquisition of Multi Packaging Solutions;
  • Brookfield and its affiliates in Brookfield Renewable’s strategic partnership with Cameco to acquire Westinghouse for $8 billion, the $4.3 billion acquisition of American Equity Investment Life (“AEL”) following the strategic partnership with AEL in which Brookfield acquired a 19.9% stake through a PIPE equity investment, the $3.8 billion acquisition of a controlling stake and $1.58 billion acquisition of the remaining stake in TerraForm Power and the $1.3 billion acquisition of TerraForm Global;
  • DMGT in the $8.1 billion business combination of Cazoo and AJAX I SPAC;
  • The special committee of the Hudson board of directors in the sale of all remaining equity interests in Hudson to Dufry;
  • Deutsche Telekom (“DT”) in its Master Framework Agreement with SoftBank and T-Mobile realigning the ownership and governance of T-Mobile, pursuant to which DT consented to SoftBank’s sale of approximately 198 million T-Mobile shares in the capital markets for approximately $20 billion and DT received call options on approximately 101 million additional T-Mobile shares held by SoftBank, and the $7.3 billion two‑part transaction in which DT increased its ownership stake in T‑Mobile US;
  • Barrick Gold in its proposed $42 billion merger and subsequent joint venture with Newmont Mining and its $18.3 billion merger with Randgold Resources;
  • Peabody Energy in its proposed joint venture with Arch Resources;
  • GKN in the proposed $6.1 billion combination of GKN’s Driveline business and Dana;
  • AXA in its $15.3 billion acquisition of XL;
  • The Linde Group in its $70 billion merger of equals with Praxair and its $4.6 billion acquisition of Lincare;
  • The Williams Companies in its exploration of strategic alternatives, including its rejection of an unsolicited acquisition proposal and subsequent proposed $37.7 billion business combination transaction with Energy Transfer;
  • MarkWest Energy in its $21 billion merger with MPLX;
  • Delhaize in its $29 billion merger of equals with Royal Ahold;
  • Grupo Villar Mir and its subsidiary Grupo FerroAtlántica in its combination with Globe Specialty Metals;
  • Rock‑Tenn in its $16 billion combination with MeadWestvaco;
  • Covance in its $6.2 billion sale to LabCorp;
  • Life Technologies in its $15.8 billion sale to Thermo Fisher Scientific; and
  • The special committee of the independent directors of CNH Global, as U.S. counsel, in connection with the merger of Fiat Industrial and CNH Global with and into CNH Industrial.

Mr. Hall has been named a “Dealmaker of the Year” by The American Lawyer, a “Mergers & Acquisitions MVP” by Law360 and a Mergers & Acquisitions Trailblazer by The National Law Journal. The Financial Times has repeatedly featured Mr. Hall’s client representations as among the most innovative in North America. He has been cited as a leading practitioner in mergers and acquisitions by, among others, Chambers USA, Chambers Global, The Legal 500 US, The Legal 500 Latin America, IFLR1000, The Best Lawyers in America, Who's Who Legal: M&A and Governance, Lawdragon and Latin Lawyer 250. Mr. Hall has also been recognized for his work in private equity by The Legal 500 US.

Mr. Hall is a frequent speaker and author on topics related to developments in corporate and mergers and acquisitions law. He has spoken multiple times at the Corporate Law Institute hosted by Tulane University Law School and has served as Contributing Editor of The Legal 500’s “Mergers & Acquisitions Country Comparative Guide.”

Mr. Hall was born in Melbourne, Australia. He received a B.Com. with honors in 1984 and an LL.B. with honors in 1986 from the University of Melbourne, and an LL.M. from Harvard Law School in 1988.

Mr. Hall joined Cravath in 1988 and was elected a partner in 1995.

Mr. Hall’s clients have included AngloGold Ashanti, Archer-Daniels-Midland, AXA, Banco Santander, Barrick Gold, Brookfield, Deutsche Telekom, DMGT, GKN, The Linde Group, Lindsay Goldberg, Peabody Energy, Royal Dutch Shell, Time Warner, WestRock, Weyerhaeuser and The Williams Companies. 

Mr. Hall’s notable representations include:

  • CymaBay Therapeutics in its $4.3 billion acquisition by Gilead Sciences;
  • WestRock in its $20 billion combination with Smurfit Kappa, creating Smurfit WestRock, its $4.9 billion acquisition of KapStone Paper and Packaging and its $2.3 billion acquisition of Multi Packaging Solutions;
  • Brookfield and its affiliates in Brookfield Renewable’s strategic partnership with Cameco to acquire Westinghouse for $8 billion, the $4.3 billion acquisition of American Equity Investment Life (“AEL”) following the strategic partnership with AEL in which Brookfield acquired a 19.9% stake through a PIPE equity investment, the $3.8 billion acquisition of a controlling stake and $1.58 billion acquisition of the remaining stake in TerraForm Power and the $1.3 billion acquisition of TerraForm Global;
  • DMGT in the $8.1 billion business combination of Cazoo and AJAX I SPAC;
  • The special committee of the Hudson board of directors in the sale of all remaining equity interests in Hudson to Dufry;
  • Deutsche Telekom (“DT”) in its Master Framework Agreement with SoftBank and T-Mobile realigning the ownership and governance of T-Mobile, pursuant to which DT consented to SoftBank’s sale of approximately 198 million T-Mobile shares in the capital markets for approximately $20 billion and DT received call options on approximately 101 million additional T-Mobile shares held by SoftBank, and the $7.3 billion two‑part transaction in which DT increased its ownership stake in T‑Mobile US;
  • Barrick Gold in its proposed $42 billion merger and subsequent joint venture with Newmont Mining and its $18.3 billion merger with Randgold Resources;
  • Peabody Energy in its proposed joint venture with Arch Resources;
  • GKN in the proposed $6.1 billion combination of GKN’s Driveline business and Dana;
  • AXA in its $15.3 billion acquisition of XL;
  • The Linde Group in its $70 billion merger of equals with Praxair and its $4.6 billion acquisition of Lincare;
  • The Williams Companies in its exploration of strategic alternatives, including its rejection of an unsolicited acquisition proposal and subsequent proposed $37.7 billion business combination transaction with Energy Transfer;
  • MarkWest Energy in its $21 billion merger with MPLX;
  • Delhaize in its $29 billion merger of equals with Royal Ahold;
  • Grupo Villar Mir and its subsidiary Grupo FerroAtlántica in its combination with Globe Specialty Metals;
  • Rock‑Tenn in its $16 billion combination with MeadWestvaco;
  • Covance in its $6.2 billion sale to LabCorp;
  • Life Technologies in its $15.8 billion sale to Thermo Fisher Scientific; and
  • The special committee of the independent directors of CNH Global, as U.S. counsel, in connection with the merger of Fiat Industrial and CNH Global with and into CNH Industrial.

Mr. Hall has been named a “Dealmaker of the Year” by The American Lawyer, a “Mergers & Acquisitions MVP” by Law360 and a Mergers & Acquisitions Trailblazer by The National Law Journal. The Financial Times has repeatedly featured Mr. Hall’s client representations as among the most innovative in North America. He has been cited as a leading practitioner in mergers and acquisitions by, among others, Chambers USA, Chambers Global, The Legal 500 US, The Legal 500 Latin America, IFLR1000, The Best Lawyers in America, Who's Who Legal: M&A and Governance, Lawdragon and Latin Lawyer 250. Mr. Hall has also been recognized for his work in private equity by The Legal 500 US.

Mr. Hall is a frequent speaker and author on topics related to developments in corporate and mergers and acquisitions law. He has spoken multiple times at the Corporate Law Institute hosted by Tulane University Law School and has served as Contributing Editor of The Legal 500’s “Mergers & Acquisitions Country Comparative Guide.”

Mr. Hall was born in Melbourne, Australia. He received a B.Com. with honors in 1984 and an LL.B. with honors in 1986 from the University of Melbourne, and an LL.M. from Harvard Law School in 1988.

Mr. Hall joined Cravath in 1988 and was elected a partner in 1995.

Education

  • LL.M., 1988, Harvard Law School
  • LL.B., 1986, University of Melbourne
    with Honors
  • B.Com., 1984, University of Melbourne
    with Honors

Admitted In

  • New York

Professional Affiliations

International Bar Association

  • Corporate and M&A Law Committee
  • Securities Law Committee

American Bar Association

Organizations

Practical Law Company

  • Member, Advisory Board

Rankings

The American Lawyer

  • Dealmaker of the Year (2018)

Best Lawyers in America

  • Corporate Law (2025, 2024, 2023)
  • International Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2025‑2016)
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2025‑2007)

Chambers Global

  • Corporate M&A (International & Cross-Border) - USA (2025‑2007)

Chambers USA

  • Corporate/M&A - New York (2024‑2007)
  • Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense - New York (2018, 2017)

IFLR1000

  • Mergers and Acquisitions - US (2024‑2005)

Latin Lawyer 250: Latin America’s Leading Business Law Firms

  • Corporate and M&A - International (2020, 2019, 2018, 2016‑2009)

Law360

  • Mergers & Acquisitions MVP of the Year (2018)

Lawdragon

  • Legends of the 500 Leading Lawyers in America (2019)
  • 500 Leading Lawyers in America (2025‑2011, 2008, 2007) 
  • 500 Leading Dealmakers in America (2024-2021, 2007)

The Legal 500 Hall of Fame

  • M&A/Corporate and Commercial: Large Deals, $1bn+

The Legal 500 Latin America

  • Corporate and M&A - Latin America: International Firms (2019‑2012)

The Legal 500 US

  • M&A/Corporate and Commercial: Large Deals, $1bn+ (2023-2010, 2007)
  • Private Equity Buyouts: Large Deals, 500m+ (2024)
  • Shareholder Activism: Advice to Boards (2024, 2023, 2021, 2020)
  • Telecoms and Broadcast: Transactions (2014, 2012)

The National Law Journal

  • M&A and Antitrust Trailblazers (2016)

Deals & Cases

April 30, 2024

Sensata Technologies’ Cooperation Agreement with Elliott

On April 29, 2024, Sensata Technologies Holding plc (“Sensata Technologies”), a global industrial technology company, announced that it has entered into a Cooperation Agreement with Elliott Investment Management L.P. (“Elliott”). The Cooperation Agreement contains customary standstill, voting and other provisions. Cravath is representing Sensata Technologies in connection with the agreement.

Deals & Cases

February 12, 2024

CymaBay Therapeutics’ $4.3 Billion Acquisition by Gilead Sciences

On February 12, 2024, CymaBay Therapeutics (“CymaBay”) and Gilead Sciences, Inc. (“Gilead”) announced a definitive agreement under which Gilead will acquire CymaBay for $32.50 per share in cash or a total equity value of $4.3 billion. The addition of CymaBay’s investigational lead product candidate, seladelpar for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis, complements Gilead’s existing liver portfolio and aligns with its longstanding commitment to bringing transformational medicines to patients. Cravath is representing CymaBay in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

November 21, 2023

Amentum’s Merger with Jacobs’ Critical Mission Solutions and Cyber and Intelligence Businesses

On November 20, 2023, Amentum, a portfolio company of Lindsay Goldberg and American Securities, announced a definitive agreement to merge with Jacobs’ Critical Mission Solutions and Cyber and Intelligence businesses, creating a new leader in systems integration and technology solutions. The transaction, which is structured as an all‑stock, Reverse Morris Trust transaction, will result in a publicly traded combined organization with $13 billion in revenue and more than 53,000 employees in 83 countries. Cravath is representing Amentum in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

September 12, 2023

WestRock’s $20 Billion Combination with Smurfit Kappa to Create Global Leader in Sustainable Packaging

On September 12, 2023, the Boards of WestRock and Smurfit Kappa announced the signing of a definitive transaction agreement to create Smurfit WestRock, a global leader in sustainable packaging. Together, Smurfit Kappa and WestRock generated combined last twelve months’ adjusted annual revenue of approximately $34 billion as of June 30, 2023. Cravath is representing WestRock in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

July 05, 2023

Brookfield Reinsurance’s $4.3 Billion Acquisition of AEL

On July 5, 2023, Brookfield Reinsurance, which operates a leading capital solutions business providing insurance and reinsurance services to individuals and institutions, and American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (“AEL”) announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement whereby Brookfield Reinsurance will acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of AEL it does not already own in a cash and stock transaction that values AEL at approximately $4.3 billion. Cravath is representing Brookfield Reinsurance in connection with the transaction.

Publications

April 08, 2025

Richard Hall and Dan Cerqueira Contribute to Legal 500’s 2025 Country Comparative M&A Guide

Cravath partner Richard Hall served as contributing editor of Legal 500’s 2025 “Mergers & Acquisitions Country Comparative Guide,” which was published in April 2025. The guide provides a pragmatic overview of M&A laws and regulations across a variety of jurisdictions. Together with Richard, partner Daniel J. Cerqueira authored the United States chapter of the guide, which reviews M&A trends, the current state of the market and key considerations for companies and shareholders.

Activities

March 07, 2025

Richard Hall Speaks at Tulane University Law School’s 37th Corporate Law Institute

On March 7, 2025, Cravath partner Richard Hall spoke at the 37th Corporate Law Institute, which was hosted by Tulane University Law School from March 6‑7, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and featured members of the judiciary, journalists and leading corporate counsel and investment bankers to discuss the latest developments in M&A, corporate and securities law. Richard spoke on a panel entitled “Regulatory Merger Control Regimes – M&A in a Time of Regulatory Uncertainty.”

Publications

November 13, 2024

Richard Hall and Adam Sanchez Co‑Author Guide with Travers Smith on UK Public Takeovers for U.S. PE Sponsors

Cravath partners Richard Hall and Adam M. Sanchez and associate Yeana Lee co‑authored a guide with attorneys from Travers Smith entitled “Public Takeovers in the UK – A Guide for US PE Sponsors,” which was published on November 13, 2024. The guide provides a practical review of the UK Takeover Code and addresses key matters that should be considered by U.S. private equity sponsors on any potential UK public takeover.

Publications

April 10, 2024

Richard Hall and Dan Cerqueira Contribute to The Legal 500’s 2024 Country Comparative M&A Guide

Cravath partner Richard Hall served as contributing editor of The Legal 500’s 2024 “Mergers & Acquisitions Country Comparative Guide,” which was published in April 2024. The guide provides a pragmatic overview of M&A laws and regulations across a variety of jurisdictions. Together with Richard, partner Daniel J. Cerqueira authored the United States chapter of the guide, which reviews M&A trends, the current state of the market and key considerations for companies and shareholders.

Activities

March 08, 2024

Richard Hall Speaks at Tulane University Law School’s 36th Corporate Law Institute

On March 8, 2024, Cravath partner Richard Hall spoke at the 36th Corporate Law Institute, which was hosted by Tulane University Law School from March 7‑8, 2024, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and featured judges and leading professionals to discuss the latest developments in M&A, corporate and securities law. Richard spoke on a panel entitled “Regulatory Merger Control Regimes – Developments in Antitrust and Foreign Direct Investments.”

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