William D.
Podurgiel

On October 1, 2026, Corteva, Inc. (“Corteva”) announced it has successfully spun off its advanced seed and genetics business as a new public company, Vylor, Inc., and will move forward as a leading, pure‑play global crop protection company. Cravath is representing Corteva in connection with the transaction.

On August 31, 2026, Aon, a leading global professional services firm, announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire USI, a leading provider of property & casualty, employee benefit, personal risk and retirement solutions for the middle market and the tenth largest U.S. insurance broker, from KKR and other shareholders for a total purchase price of $17 billion. Aon expects to fund the transaction, as well as related transaction expenses and other costs, with new debt raised across a range of maturities, subject to market conditions. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of Aon and the Board of Directors of USI. Cravath is representing Aon in connection with the transaction.

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.

Cravath represented Akastor ASA in connection with its indirect 50% owned affiliate HMH Holding Inc.’s initial public offering of 10,520,000 shares of its Class A common stock at $20.00 per share. The shares began trading on The Nasdaq Global Select Market on April 1, 2026, under the ticker symbol “HMH.” The transaction closed on April 2, 2026.

On September 30, 2025, TXSE Group Inc (“TXSE Group”) announced that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has formally approved the Texas Stock Exchange’s Form 1 registration to operate as a national securities exchange. Cravath represented TXSE Group in connection with this matter. 

On October 6, 2026, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “SEC Proposes to Rescind Rule 14a‑8’s ‘Federal Regulation’ of Shareholder Proposals, Amend Rule 14a‑4 and Modernize Proxy Solicitations.” The memo discusses the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s proposed changes to the federal proxy rules, including rescinding Rule 14a‑8, which would end federal regulation as to when a shareholder proposal must be included in a company’s proxy statement, and amending Rule 14a‑4 to expand companies’ ability to exercise discretionary voting authority, with respect to proxies that they receive, on proposals that will be presented at a shareholder meeting but are not included in the company’s proxy materials.

On June 15, 2026, Cravath prepared two companion memos for its clients entitled “The Bold and the Creative (Part I): SEC Proposes to Rationalize Filer Status Framework and Extend Accommodations to Significantly More Registrants” and “The Bold and the Creative (Part II): SEC Proposes Significant Registered Offering Reforms Designed to Incentivize Companies to Go and Stay Public and Seeks Public Comment on Further Modernization.” 

On May 19, 2026, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “SEC Proposes Rule Amendments to Permit Optional Semiannual Reporting.” The memo examines the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s recently proposed rule amendments that would allow SEC registrants required to file three quarterly reports per fiscal year under existing rules to elect to file a single semiannual report instead.

On April 14, 2026, Cravath partner William D. Podurgiel participated in “CHROs as Business Leaders and Board Directors: The Path to the Boardroom,” a program hosted by Challenger, Gray & Christmas in Chicago. Bill spoke during a workshop entitled “The Legal and Regulatory Foundation of Corporate Governance,” which discussed director roles and accountabilities, board structure and operating rhythm, effective board dynamics and private vs. public boards.

On November 21, 2025, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance Significantly Reduces Staff’s Role in the Rule 14a‑8 Process for the 2025‑2026 Season.” The memo examines the Division of Corporation Finance’s (“CorpFin”) changes to the Rule 14a‑8 process for the 2025‑2026 proxy season that greatly reduce the staff’s role in the process.