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Cravath Publishes Winter 2026 Issue of Alumni Journal

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People

Stephen M.
Kessing

Partner, Corporate

skessing@cravath.com
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Stephen M. Kessing is Co-Head of the Banking and Credit Practice. He advises financial institutions, corporate borrowers and private equity sponsors on a broad range of finance transactions, including complex syndicated loan and direct lending transactions, capital markets transactions, restructurings and debtor‑in‑possession financing, as well as mergers and acquisitions.

Mr. Kessing has extensive experience representing U.S. and international companies across such diverse industries as aerospace (AerCap, Alliant Techsystems, Atlas Air, SMBC Aviation Capital, Tenax Aerospace), consumer (Anheuser‑Busch InBev, ASOS, British American Tobacco, Unilever, Vista Outdoor, Worldstrides), financial services (Element Financial, Lazard, White Mountains), healthcare (Akorn, AmerisourceBergen, HLS Therapeutics, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis), hospitality and leisure (Starwood Hotels, Universal Orlando), industrials (AdvanSix, Honeywell, J.M. Huber, Martin Marietta, Minerals Technologies, Olin, Stanley, Synthomer), information technology (Conduent, Genpact, Xerox), media and entertainment (Cox Enterprises, Graham Holdings, Hasbro, Reservoir Media Management, Univision), technology (D+H, FactSet, IBM, JD Power, Orbotech, Zotec Partners), telecommunications (altafiber, CyrusOne, Frontier) and utilities (PG&E). 

Mr. Kessing has also represented J.P. Morgan, Citibank, Bank of America, Jefferies, Wells Fargo, Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs in syndicated loan, equity, high‑yield bond and leveraged acquisition transactions. The Legal 500 US reports Mr. Kessing is “a key name for sports financing” and he has advised on financings involving teams in each of the major sporting leagues. 

Mr. Kessing has been repeatedly recognized as a leading lawyer in banking and finance by Chambers USA, Chambers Global, The Legal 500 US, IFLR1000, Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Clients describe him as “a valued partner for [their] business” and “an amazing partner to work with,” whose “commercial awareness, broad experience and practical support make him a trusted advisor in this space.” Mr. Kessing is a repeat author on market trends in leveraged finance published by Lexis Practice Advisor and he serves as the Board Secretary of NACME. Mr. Kessing also serves on the Board of Trustees of Canterbury School.

Mr. Kessing was born in Akron, Ohio. He received a B.S. from Miami University in 1995 and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California in 2001. Mr. Kessing received a J.D. magna cum laude from Duke University School of Law in 2005, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif. He was also awarded the Faculty Award for Outstanding Achievement in Commercial Transactions and Bankruptcy.

Mr. Kessing joined Cravath in 2005 and was elected a partner in 2012.

Mr. Kessing has extensive experience representing U.S. and international companies across such diverse industries as aerospace (AerCap, Alliant Techsystems, Atlas Air, SMBC Aviation Capital, Tenax Aerospace), consumer (Anheuser‑Busch InBev, ASOS, British American Tobacco, Unilever, Vista Outdoor, Worldstrides), financial services (Element Financial, Lazard, White Mountains), healthcare (Akorn, AmerisourceBergen, HLS Therapeutics, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis), hospitality and leisure (Starwood Hotels, Universal Orlando), industrials (AdvanSix, Honeywell, J.M. Huber, Martin Marietta, Minerals Technologies, Olin, Stanley, Synthomer), information technology (Conduent, Genpact, Xerox), media and entertainment (Cox Enterprises, Graham Holdings, Hasbro, Reservoir Media Management, Univision), technology (D+H, FactSet, IBM, JD Power, Orbotech, Zotec Partners), telecommunications (altafiber, CyrusOne, Frontier) and utilities (PG&E). 

Mr. Kessing has also represented J.P. Morgan, Citibank, Bank of America, Jefferies, Wells Fargo, Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs in syndicated loan, equity, high‑yield bond and leveraged acquisition transactions. The Legal 500 US reports Mr. Kessing is “a key name for sports financing” and he has advised on financings involving teams in each of the major sporting leagues. 

Mr. Kessing has been repeatedly recognized as a leading lawyer in banking and finance by Chambers USA, Chambers Global, The Legal 500 US, IFLR1000, Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Clients describe him as “a valued partner for [their] business” and “an amazing partner to work with,” whose “commercial awareness, broad experience and practical support make him a trusted advisor in this space.” Mr. Kessing is a repeat author on market trends in leveraged finance published by Lexis Practice Advisor and he serves as the Board Secretary of NACME. Mr. Kessing also serves on the Board of Trustees of Canterbury School.

Mr. Kessing was born in Akron, Ohio. He received a B.S. from Miami University in 1995 and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California in 2001. Mr. Kessing received a J.D. magna cum laude from Duke University School of Law in 2005, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif. He was also awarded the Faculty Award for Outstanding Achievement in Commercial Transactions and Bankruptcy.

Mr. Kessing joined Cravath in 2005 and was elected a partner in 2012.

Education

  • J.D., 2005, Duke Law School
    Order of the Coif, magna cum laude
  • M.B.A., 2001, University of Southern California
  • B.S., 1995, Miami University of Ohio

Admitted In

  • New York

Professional Affiliations

International Bar Association

  • Banking Law Committee

New York City Bar Association

  • Banking Law Committee

Organizations

Canterbury School

  • Board of Trustees

National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering

  • Board Secretary

Rankings

Chambers Global

  • Banking & Finance - USA (2025-2022)

Chambers USA

  • Banking & Finance – New York (2026-2018)

IFLR1000

  • Banking - US (2025‑2014)

Lawdragon

  • 500 Leading Dealmakers in America (2025-2021)

The Legal 500 US

  • Commercial Lending: Advice to Bank Lenders (2026, 2025)
  • Commercial Lending: Advice to Borrowers (2026‑2015)

Super Lawyers - New York

  • Banking (2016, 2015, 2014)

Deals & Cases

June 29, 2026

Martin Marietta’s $13.5 Billion Combination with Lhoist North America

On June 29, 2026, Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (“Martin Marietta”), a leading supplier of aggregates and other building materials, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to combine with Lhoist North America, Inc. (“Lhoist North America”), a leading producer of hi‑calcium lime, dolomitic lime and industrial mineral products and a subsidiary of Lhoist Group, for $13.5 billion in cash and shares of Martin Marietta common stock. The transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. Cravath is representing Martin Marietta 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

August 29, 2025

Marcura’s Senior Credit Facilities in Connection with its Acquisition of Brightwell Navigator

Cravath represented Marcura Equities Ltd (“Marcura”), a leading maritime technology provider, in connection with the amendment and restatement of its senior credit facilities. The proceeds were used to finance Marcura’s acquisition of Brightwell Payments, Inc. (“Brightwell Navigator”), the maritime crew payroll and payment services division of Brightwell, an Atlanta-based financial technology company. Marlin Equity Partners is a shareholder of Marcura. The transaction closed on August 1, 2025.

Deals & Cases

May 09, 2025

TaskUs’s Take‑Private Acquisition by its Co‑Founders and Blackstone

On May 9, 2025, TaskUs, Inc. (“TaskUs”), a leading provider of outsourced digital services and next‑generation customer experience to companies, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to become a privately held company. Under the terms of the agreement, an affiliate of Blackstone, TaskUs Co‑Founder and Chief Executive Officer Bryce Maddock and TaskUs Co‑Founder and President Jaspar Weir (collectively the “Buyer Group”) will acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock they do not already own for $16.50 per share in an all-cash transaction. Upon completion of the transaction, the Company’s Class A common stock will no longer be listed on any public market. The TaskUs Board of Directors has approved the transaction upon the unanimous recommendation of a special committee of independent directors (the “Special Committee”), which was formed on March 20, 2025, in response to interest expressed by the Buyer Group in exploring a possible transaction. Cravath is representing the Special Committee in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

March 17, 2025

PepsiCo’s $1.95 Billion Acquisition of poppi

On March 17, 2025, PepsiCo, Inc. (“PepsiCo”) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire poppi, a prebiotic soda brand, for $1.95 billion, including $300 million of anticipated cash tax benefits for a net purchase price of $1.65 billion. The transaction also includes an additional potential earnout consideration subject to the achievement of certain performance milestones within a specified period after closing of the transaction. Cravath is representing PepsiCo in connection with the transaction.

Stephen M. Kessing is Co-Head of the Banking and Credit Practice. He advises financial institutions, corporate borrowers and private equity sponsors on a broad range of finance transactions, including complex syndicated loan and direct lending transactions, capital markets transactions, restructurings and debtor‑in‑possession financing, as well as mergers and acquisitions.

Mr. Kessing has extensive experience representing U.S. and international companies across such diverse industries as aerospace (AerCap, Alliant Techsystems, Atlas Air, SMBC Aviation Capital, Tenax Aerospace), consumer (Anheuser‑Busch InBev, ASOS, British American Tobacco, Unilever, Vista Outdoor, Worldstrides), financial services (Element Financial, Lazard, White Mountains), healthcare (Akorn, AmerisourceBergen, HLS Therapeutics, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis), hospitality and leisure (Starwood Hotels, Universal Orlando), industrials (AdvanSix, Honeywell, J.M. Huber, Martin Marietta, Minerals Technologies, Olin, Stanley, Synthomer), information technology (Conduent, Genpact, Xerox), media and entertainment (Cox Enterprises, Graham Holdings, Hasbro, Reservoir Media Management, Univision), technology (D+H, FactSet, IBM, JD Power, Orbotech, Zotec Partners), telecommunications (altafiber, CyrusOne, Frontier) and utilities (PG&E). 

Mr. Kessing has also represented J.P. Morgan, Citibank, Bank of America, Jefferies, Wells Fargo, Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs in syndicated loan, equity, high‑yield bond and leveraged acquisition transactions. The Legal 500 US reports Mr. Kessing is “a key name for sports financing” and he has advised on financings involving teams in each of the major sporting leagues. 

Mr. Kessing has been repeatedly recognized as a leading lawyer in banking and finance by Chambers USA, Chambers Global, The Legal 500 US, IFLR1000, Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Clients describe him as “a valued partner for [their] business” and “an amazing partner to work with,” whose “commercial awareness, broad experience and practical support make him a trusted advisor in this space.” Mr. Kessing is a repeat author on market trends in leveraged finance published by Lexis Practice Advisor and he serves as the Board Secretary of NACME. Mr. Kessing also serves on the Board of Trustees of Canterbury School.

Mr. Kessing was born in Akron, Ohio. He received a B.S. from Miami University in 1995 and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California in 2001. Mr. Kessing received a J.D. magna cum laude from Duke University School of Law in 2005, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif. He was also awarded the Faculty Award for Outstanding Achievement in Commercial Transactions and Bankruptcy.

Mr. Kessing joined Cravath in 2005 and was elected a partner in 2012.

Mr. Kessing has extensive experience representing U.S. and international companies across such diverse industries as aerospace (AerCap, Alliant Techsystems, Atlas Air, SMBC Aviation Capital, Tenax Aerospace), consumer (Anheuser‑Busch InBev, ASOS, British American Tobacco, Unilever, Vista Outdoor, Worldstrides), financial services (Element Financial, Lazard, White Mountains), healthcare (Akorn, AmerisourceBergen, HLS Therapeutics, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis), hospitality and leisure (Starwood Hotels, Universal Orlando), industrials (AdvanSix, Honeywell, J.M. Huber, Martin Marietta, Minerals Technologies, Olin, Stanley, Synthomer), information technology (Conduent, Genpact, Xerox), media and entertainment (Cox Enterprises, Graham Holdings, Hasbro, Reservoir Media Management, Univision), technology (D+H, FactSet, IBM, JD Power, Orbotech, Zotec Partners), telecommunications (altafiber, CyrusOne, Frontier) and utilities (PG&E). 

Mr. Kessing has also represented J.P. Morgan, Citibank, Bank of America, Jefferies, Wells Fargo, Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs in syndicated loan, equity, high‑yield bond and leveraged acquisition transactions. The Legal 500 US reports Mr. Kessing is “a key name for sports financing” and he has advised on financings involving teams in each of the major sporting leagues. 

Mr. Kessing has been repeatedly recognized as a leading lawyer in banking and finance by Chambers USA, Chambers Global, The Legal 500 US, IFLR1000, Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Clients describe him as “a valued partner for [their] business” and “an amazing partner to work with,” whose “commercial awareness, broad experience and practical support make him a trusted advisor in this space.” Mr. Kessing is a repeat author on market trends in leveraged finance published by Lexis Practice Advisor and he serves as the Board Secretary of NACME. Mr. Kessing also serves on the Board of Trustees of Canterbury School.

Mr. Kessing was born in Akron, Ohio. He received a B.S. from Miami University in 1995 and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California in 2001. Mr. Kessing received a J.D. magna cum laude from Duke University School of Law in 2005, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif. He was also awarded the Faculty Award for Outstanding Achievement in Commercial Transactions and Bankruptcy.

Mr. Kessing joined Cravath in 2005 and was elected a partner in 2012.

Education

  • J.D., 2005, Duke Law School
    Order of the Coif, magna cum laude
  • M.B.A., 2001, University of Southern California
  • B.S., 1995, Miami University of Ohio

Admitted In

  • New York

Professional Affiliations

International Bar Association

  • Banking Law Committee

New York City Bar Association

  • Banking Law Committee

Organizations

Canterbury School

  • Board of Trustees

National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering

  • Board Secretary

Rankings

Chambers Global

  • Banking & Finance - USA (2025-2022)

Chambers USA

  • Banking & Finance – New York (2026-2018)

IFLR1000

  • Banking - US (2025‑2014)

Lawdragon

  • 500 Leading Dealmakers in America (2025-2021)

The Legal 500 US

  • Commercial Lending: Advice to Bank Lenders (2026, 2025)
  • Commercial Lending: Advice to Borrowers (2026‑2015)

Super Lawyers - New York

  • Banking (2016, 2015, 2014)

Deals & Cases

June 29, 2026

Martin Marietta’s $13.5 Billion Combination with Lhoist North America

On June 29, 2026, Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (“Martin Marietta”), a leading supplier of aggregates and other building materials, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to combine with Lhoist North America, Inc. (“Lhoist North America”), a leading producer of hi‑calcium lime, dolomitic lime and industrial mineral products and a subsidiary of Lhoist Group, for $13.5 billion in cash and shares of Martin Marietta common stock. The transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. Cravath is representing Martin Marietta 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

August 29, 2025

Marcura’s Senior Credit Facilities in Connection with its Acquisition of Brightwell Navigator

Cravath represented Marcura Equities Ltd (“Marcura”), a leading maritime technology provider, in connection with the amendment and restatement of its senior credit facilities. The proceeds were used to finance Marcura’s acquisition of Brightwell Payments, Inc. (“Brightwell Navigator”), the maritime crew payroll and payment services division of Brightwell, an Atlanta-based financial technology company. Marlin Equity Partners is a shareholder of Marcura. The transaction closed on August 1, 2025.

Deals & Cases

May 09, 2025

TaskUs’s Take‑Private Acquisition by its Co‑Founders and Blackstone

On May 9, 2025, TaskUs, Inc. (“TaskUs”), a leading provider of outsourced digital services and next‑generation customer experience to companies, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to become a privately held company. Under the terms of the agreement, an affiliate of Blackstone, TaskUs Co‑Founder and Chief Executive Officer Bryce Maddock and TaskUs Co‑Founder and President Jaspar Weir (collectively the “Buyer Group”) will acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock they do not already own for $16.50 per share in an all-cash transaction. Upon completion of the transaction, the Company’s Class A common stock will no longer be listed on any public market. The TaskUs Board of Directors has approved the transaction upon the unanimous recommendation of a special committee of independent directors (the “Special Committee”), which was formed on March 20, 2025, in response to interest expressed by the Buyer Group in exploring a possible transaction. Cravath is representing the Special Committee in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

March 17, 2025

PepsiCo’s $1.95 Billion Acquisition of poppi

On March 17, 2025, PepsiCo, Inc. (“PepsiCo”) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire poppi, a prebiotic soda brand, for $1.95 billion, including $300 million of anticipated cash tax benefits for a net purchase price of $1.65 billion. The transaction also includes an additional potential earnout consideration subject to the achievement of certain performance milestones within a specified period after closing of the transaction. Cravath is representing PepsiCo in connection with the transaction.

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