Mergers and Acquisitions

On September 4, 2026, Stanley Black & Decker, a worldwide leader in Tools and Outdoor, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Excel Industries (“Excel”) business to Bad Boy Mowers. Excel is a leading designer and manufacturer of premium commercial and residential turf‑care equipment under the distinct brand of Hustler Turf Equipment (“Hustler”). Cravath is representing Stanley Black & Decker 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 August 6, 2026, Harrow, a leading provider of ophthalmic disease management solutions in North America, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire TYRVAYA® (varenicline solution) nasal spray 0.03 mg from Viatris Inc. (“Viatris”), a global healthcare company. TYRVAYA is a cholinergic agonist indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) and is currently approved in the U.S., China, and Taiwan, with marketing authorization applications pending in other countries. Under the terms of the agreement, Harrow will pay $30 million in cash at closing and up to $70 million in contingent milestone payments tied to TYRVAYA's net sales, for a potential total consideration of up to $100 million. Cravath is representing Viatris in connection with the transaction.

On July 30, 2026, TMX Group, a global provider of data, listing services, trading markets, clearing facilities and other services to the global financial community, announced a definitive agreement to make a strategic investment in MEMX, an exchange operator and market technology provider. Concurrent with that transaction, BOX, a U.S. equity options market with both electronic and floor-based trading, will be combined with MEMX, and TMX Group will have an approximately 59% ownership interest in the combined business. Under the terms of the agreement, this transaction will create a consolidated U.S. exchange group with an enterprise value of approximately $2.3 billion. The new entity will be funded by an equity investment from TMX Group of approximately $800 million, a rollover of TMX’s existing equity interest in BOX, committed rollovers from a group of MEMX and BOX investors, comprised of key market participants, and an investment from a new financial partner. Cravath is representing TMX Group 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.

On September 16, 2026, Cravath partners Faiza J. Saeed, Gary A. Bornstein and Ting S. Chen were named to Forbes’s 2026 list of “America’s Top Lawyers. The list recognizes “the leading dealmakers, litigators, advisers and strategists—at firms of all sizes—who stand apart in an extraordinarily competitive field” and “those who are defining modern legal excellence.”

On September 9, 2026, Cravath published the latest edition of its Quarterly Review, which provides insight into practical points, key takeaways and relevant developments across the M&A, activism, tax, regulatory and corporate governance landscape. This edition covers:

On July 7, 2026, the New York Law Journal named Cravath a finalist for its “Law Firm of the Year: Large Firms” award, and partner Daniel J. Cerqueira a finalist for its “Dealmaker of the Year” award. Winners will be featured online and honored at an event in September.

On July 2, 2026, Cravath published the latest edition of its Artificial Intelligence Developments Newsletter, which includes a high-level review of activity across technical, regulatory, legal, and market areas of AI over the last month, highlighting selected new trends.  

Cravath partner Evan A. Hill was featured on a June 19, 2026 episode of the M&A Advisor Podcast, entitled “Risk & Returns: Creating Success in Business and Life.” The episode includes a conversation between Evan and former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, which originally took place as a fireside chat at The M&A Advisor’s 2026 Distressed Investing Summit in Palm Beach, Florida. The discussion covers Ross’ memoir and lessons from his career, reviewing the importance of relationship building and calculated risk‑taking, offering tips for successful negotiation and sharing advice for the next generation of entrepreneurs.