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Corporate

Mergers and Acquisitions

Mergers and Acquisitions

Cravath is one of the preeminent law firms for mergers and acquisitions. Our lawyers are renowned for their outstanding capabilities in complex U.S. and cross‑border deals. Over the past decade, Cravath has represented clients in more than 800 M&A transactions with an aggregate value of over $4 trillion, reflecting the high‑value, high‑impact transactions that we are regularly called upon to execute.

Cravath advises companies in their most critical needs across the full spectrum of corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, spin‑offs and joint ventures. In addition to—and often alongside—the mergers and acquisitions that we handle, Cravath is a leading advisor for companies and boards in high‑stakes corporate situations, including hostile takeovers and shareholder activism defense.  

Both U.S. and non-U.S. clients rely on our leadership and expertise in their most transformative corporate matters, many of which involve multiple jurisdictions across diverse industries. Our lawyers navigate novel legal and business issues in the areas of consumer products, energy, fintech, healthcare, media and entertainment, pharmaceuticals, retail, technology and telecommunications.

Cravath has been consistently ranked a top‑tier firm for M&A by numerous third‑party publications and is an 11‑time recipient of Law360’s M&A Practice Group of the Year award. Our lawyers regularly earn plaudits from their clients and peers in the market: 

  • “In the M&A arena, Cravath is among the smallest handful of firms that provides the highest level of knowledge, creativity, and skill. Cravath will have the latest issues and answers, along with the current market solutions. Their insights are driven by a firm understanding of the commercial issues underpinning the law as well as the trade-offs that clients and their adversaries need to make. Their advice is always pragmatic.” Best Lawyers Best Law Firms
  • “They are outstanding at coordination and completeness. Every person you deal with understands the whole deal, as opposed to only their piece.” Chambers
  • “Cravath’s London office works closely with colleagues in New York on a diverse range of matters, including corporate law and cross-border M&A. It is well known for its outstanding track record on high-end, cross-border matters.” The Legal 500
  • “The best thing about Cravath is the consistent excellence throughout the team, from the most senior lawyers to the most junior.” Chambers
  • “The people are super-smart and they have a really strong work intensity. They know the customers really well and they give practical, personal advice.” Chambers
  • “The string of transactions confirms Cravath, a firm that has long been considered a powerhouse in complex and high-stakes M&A, as a hallmark player in headline deals across diverse industries.” Law360
  • Cravath is “one of the brand-name law firms in the M&A space. I think it is phenomenal. When I think of complex M&A transactions, it would be first on my list of firms to go to.” Chambers

Cravath advises companies in their most critical needs across the full spectrum of corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, spin‑offs and joint ventures. In addition to—and often alongside—the mergers and acquisitions that we handle, Cravath is a leading advisor for companies and boards in high‑stakes corporate situations, including hostile takeovers and shareholder activism defense.  

Both U.S. and non-U.S. clients rely on our leadership and expertise in their most transformative corporate matters, many of which involve multiple jurisdictions across diverse industries. Our lawyers navigate novel legal and business issues in the areas of consumer products, energy, fintech, healthcare, media and entertainment, pharmaceuticals, retail, technology and telecommunications.

Cravath has been consistently ranked a top‑tier firm for M&A by numerous third‑party publications and is an 11‑time recipient of Law360’s M&A Practice Group of the Year award. Our lawyers regularly earn plaudits from their clients and peers in the market: 

  • “In the M&A arena, Cravath is among the smallest handful of firms that provides the highest level of knowledge, creativity, and skill. Cravath will have the latest issues and answers, along with the current market solutions. Their insights are driven by a firm understanding of the commercial issues underpinning the law as well as the trade-offs that clients and their adversaries need to make. Their advice is always pragmatic.” Best Lawyers Best Law Firms
  • “They are outstanding at coordination and completeness. Every person you deal with understands the whole deal, as opposed to only their piece.” Chambers
  • “Cravath’s London office works closely with colleagues in New York on a diverse range of matters, including corporate law and cross-border M&A. It is well known for its outstanding track record on high-end, cross-border matters.” The Legal 500
  • “The best thing about Cravath is the consistent excellence throughout the team, from the most senior lawyers to the most junior.” Chambers
  • “The people are super-smart and they have a really strong work intensity. They know the customers really well and they give practical, personal advice.” Chambers
  • “The string of transactions confirms Cravath, a firm that has long been considered a powerhouse in complex and high-stakes M&A, as a hallmark player in headline deals across diverse industries.” Law360
  • Cravath is “one of the brand-name law firms in the M&A space. I think it is phenomenal. When I think of complex M&A transactions, it would be first on my list of firms to go to.” Chambers
  • Deals & Cases
  • Recent News & Insights

Deals & Cases

October 03, 2025

White Mountains’ $1.75 Billion Sale of Bamboo to CVC

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.

Deals & Cases

October 02, 2025

Occidental’s $9.7 Billion Sale of OxyChem to Berkshire Hathaway

On October 2, 2025, Occidental, an international energy company, and Berkshire Hathaway announced a definitive agreement for Berkshire Hathaway to acquire Occidental’s chemical business, OxyChem, in an all‑cash transaction for $9.7 billion, subject to customary purchase price adjustments. Cravath is representing Occidental in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

October 01, 2025

Corteva’s Planned Separation into Two Public Companies

On October 1, 2025, global agricultural technology leader Corteva announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously approved a plan to separate the company into two independent, publicly traded companies, one comprising its current Crop Protection business (“New Corteva”) and the other comprising its current Seed business (“SpinCo”). 2025 net sales attributable to New Corteva are estimated to total $7.8 billion, representing 44% of net sales for Corteva; 2025 net sales attributable to SpinCo are estimated to total $9.9 billion, representing 56% of net sales for Corteva. The separation is expected to be effected through a spin‑off of SpinCo that is intended to qualify as a tax‑free transaction for U.S. federal tax purposes to Corteva shareholders. Cravath is representing Corteva in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

September 30, 2025

Future Standard’s Acquisition of Post Road Group’s Digital Infrastructure Platform

On September 30, 2025, Future Standard, a global alternative asset manager, announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire the Digital Infrastructure platform of Post Road Group, an alternative investment advisory firm. The platform specializes in credit and structured equity investments across digital infrastructure assets, including data centers, fiber networks and cloud connectivity. Cravath is representing Future Standard in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

September 22, 2025

Jefferies and SMBC Group’s Significant Expansion of Global Strategic Alliance

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.

Activities

October 02, 2025

Philip Boeckman Elected as Chair of Society of English and American Lawyers

In September 2025, Cravath partner Philip J. Boeckman was elected as Chair of the Society of English and American Lawyers (“SEAL”). SEAL is a London‑based organization that for more than four decades has existed as a forum for English and American lawyers to meet and exchange views on professional, business, academic and cultural matters of concern to them. It brings together barristers, solicitors and members of the judiciary, regularly organizing social functions and talks on topics of interest to lawyers in jurisdictions on both sides of the Atlantic.

Publications

September 29, 2025

Bloomberg Tax Publishes Tax Management Portfolio on U.S. Private Equity Fund Taxation by Chris Fargo, Arvind Ravichandran and Andrew Davis 

On September 15, 2025, Bloomberg Tax published “Private Equity Funds,” a Tax Management Portfolio by Cravath partners Christopher K. Fargo, Arvind Ravichandran and Andrew T. Davis that addresses material tax issues faced by private equity funds. The flagship treatise provides in‑depth, clear and commercial guidance on a variety of topics, including fund formation, private equity M&A, structuring of special investments and addressing the needs of special cases of investors, such as tax‑exempts, sovereign wealth funds and foreign investors.

Activities

September 25, 2025

Len Teti Speaks at Tax Executives Institute’s 2025 CTO Discussion Series: Tax’s Role in M&A — From Diligence to Closing

On September 25, 2025, Cravath partner J. Leonard Teti II participated in “Tax’s Role in M&A — From Diligence to Closing,” a virtual event hosted by Tax Executives Institute as part of its 2025 CTO Discussion series. Len spoke about the critical role of tax professionals in M&A transactions, including in coordination with legal teams for seamless issue tracking, risk mitigation through targeted covenants, indemnities and the use of R&W and tax insurance. The discussion also covered strategic valuation and negotiation of basis step‑ups, analysis of structural alternatives to optimize deal value, key moments where tax leads influence deal structure and terms, best practices for collaboration with counsel and strategic post-closing follow‑ups to maximize tax efficiency and ensure compliance.

Activities

September 11, 2025

LMG Life Sciences Honors Cravath with 2025 Impact Deal Award

On September 5, 2025, LMG Life Sciences honored Cravath at the publication’s 2025 Americas Awards, which recognize “top firms, attorneys and in‑house counsel for their work in the life sciences industry over the past year.” The Firm was honored with an Impact Deal of the Year award for its representation of Johnson & Johnson in its $14.6 billion acquisition of Intra Cellular Therapies, Inc.

Activities

August 21, 2025

Jin Baek Featured in Bloomberg Law’s 2025 “They’ve Got Next: 40 Under 40” Series

On August 12, 2025, Cravath partner Jin‑Kyu Baek was featured in Bloomberg Law’s “They’ve Got Next: 40 Under 40” series, which recognizes young lawyers who are “raising the bar in the legal profession,” based on their work on key client matters, assumption of leadership roles, pro bono commitments and more.

Deals & Cases

October 03, 2025

White Mountains’ $1.75 Billion Sale of Bamboo to CVC

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.

Deals & Cases

October 02, 2025

Occidental’s $9.7 Billion Sale of OxyChem to Berkshire Hathaway

On October 2, 2025, Occidental, an international energy company, and Berkshire Hathaway announced a definitive agreement for Berkshire Hathaway to acquire Occidental’s chemical business, OxyChem, in an all‑cash transaction for $9.7 billion, subject to customary purchase price adjustments. Cravath is representing Occidental in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

October 01, 2025

Corteva’s Planned Separation into Two Public Companies

On October 1, 2025, global agricultural technology leader Corteva announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously approved a plan to separate the company into two independent, publicly traded companies, one comprising its current Crop Protection business (“New Corteva”) and the other comprising its current Seed business (“SpinCo”). 2025 net sales attributable to New Corteva are estimated to total $7.8 billion, representing 44% of net sales for Corteva; 2025 net sales attributable to SpinCo are estimated to total $9.9 billion, representing 56% of net sales for Corteva. The separation is expected to be effected through a spin‑off of SpinCo that is intended to qualify as a tax‑free transaction for U.S. federal tax purposes to Corteva shareholders. Cravath is representing Corteva in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

September 30, 2025

Future Standard’s Acquisition of Post Road Group’s Digital Infrastructure Platform

On September 30, 2025, Future Standard, a global alternative asset manager, announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire the Digital Infrastructure platform of Post Road Group, an alternative investment advisory firm. The platform specializes in credit and structured equity investments across digital infrastructure assets, including data centers, fiber networks and cloud connectivity. Cravath is representing Future Standard in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

September 22, 2025

Jefferies and SMBC Group’s Significant Expansion of Global Strategic Alliance

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.

Activities

October 02, 2025

Philip Boeckman Elected as Chair of Society of English and American Lawyers

In September 2025, Cravath partner Philip J. Boeckman was elected as Chair of the Society of English and American Lawyers (“SEAL”). SEAL is a London‑based organization that for more than four decades has existed as a forum for English and American lawyers to meet and exchange views on professional, business, academic and cultural matters of concern to them. It brings together barristers, solicitors and members of the judiciary, regularly organizing social functions and talks on topics of interest to lawyers in jurisdictions on both sides of the Atlantic.

Publications

September 29, 2025

Bloomberg Tax Publishes Tax Management Portfolio on U.S. Private Equity Fund Taxation by Chris Fargo, Arvind Ravichandran and Andrew Davis 

On September 15, 2025, Bloomberg Tax published “Private Equity Funds,” a Tax Management Portfolio by Cravath partners Christopher K. Fargo, Arvind Ravichandran and Andrew T. Davis that addresses material tax issues faced by private equity funds. The flagship treatise provides in‑depth, clear and commercial guidance on a variety of topics, including fund formation, private equity M&A, structuring of special investments and addressing the needs of special cases of investors, such as tax‑exempts, sovereign wealth funds and foreign investors.

Activities

September 25, 2025

Len Teti Speaks at Tax Executives Institute’s 2025 CTO Discussion Series: Tax’s Role in M&A — From Diligence to Closing

On September 25, 2025, Cravath partner J. Leonard Teti II participated in “Tax’s Role in M&A — From Diligence to Closing,” a virtual event hosted by Tax Executives Institute as part of its 2025 CTO Discussion series. Len spoke about the critical role of tax professionals in M&A transactions, including in coordination with legal teams for seamless issue tracking, risk mitigation through targeted covenants, indemnities and the use of R&W and tax insurance. The discussion also covered strategic valuation and negotiation of basis step‑ups, analysis of structural alternatives to optimize deal value, key moments where tax leads influence deal structure and terms, best practices for collaboration with counsel and strategic post-closing follow‑ups to maximize tax efficiency and ensure compliance.

Activities

September 11, 2025

LMG Life Sciences Honors Cravath with 2025 Impact Deal Award

On September 5, 2025, LMG Life Sciences honored Cravath at the publication’s 2025 Americas Awards, which recognize “top firms, attorneys and in‑house counsel for their work in the life sciences industry over the past year.” The Firm was honored with an Impact Deal of the Year award for its representation of Johnson & Johnson in its $14.6 billion acquisition of Intra Cellular Therapies, Inc.

Activities

August 21, 2025

Jin Baek Featured in Bloomberg Law’s 2025 “They’ve Got Next: 40 Under 40” Series

On August 12, 2025, Cravath partner Jin‑Kyu Baek was featured in Bloomberg Law’s “They’ve Got Next: 40 Under 40” series, which recognizes young lawyers who are “raising the bar in the legal profession,” based on their work on key client matters, assumption of leadership roles, pro bono commitments and more.

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Cravath Bicentennial

Celebrating 200 years of partnership. In 2019, we celebrated our bicentennial. Our history mirrors that of our nation. Integral to our story is our culture.

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