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Cravath Publishes Winter 2026 Issue of Alumni Journal

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Practices

Executive Compensation and Benefits

Executive Compensation and Benefits

Cravath’s Executive Compensation and Benefits Department advises U.S. and multinational clients in all aspects of compensation and benefits. Executive compensation and employee benefit issues are central concerns in most corporate transactions. Our lawyers are experienced at analyzing the corporate governance implications and legal and financial risks associated with compensation and benefit arrangements, as well as navigating interrelated securities law, disclosure, investor relations, tax, ERISA and accounting issues.

The compensation and benefit matters that arise in merger and acquisition transactions are the primary focus of the Department. Our lawyers negotiate key terms of acquisition agreements, develop executive succession arrangements and design and implement new compensation and benefit plans.

In addition to our transactional experience, our executive compensation and benefits lawyers work closely with our litigators to handle matters involving employment, employee benefits and ERISA issues, including in class action lawsuits that may be intertwined with securities and shareholder derivative cases. We have broad experience in disputes that involve employee noncompetition and nonsolicitation agreements, internal investigations of claims of executive misconduct, modifications of employee retirement and benefits agreements and whistleblower claims.

We also advise our clients in connection with the complexities of their ongoing compensation and benefits practices. We help prepare the executive compensation disclosure in annual proxy statements for public companies, including the CD&A and any management compensation proposals, such as say‑on‑pay and approval of new equity compensation plans. In addition, we counsel our clients on the increasingly important issue of investor relations, including the management of relations with corporate governance watchdogs such as ISS/Glass Lewis and major institutional shareholders, as well as in defense against activist shareholders. We are also frequently asked to represent CEOs and other senior executives and corporate clients in crafting individual employment and severance agreements.

Cravath has been consistently named a leading firm for executive compensation and benefits by numerous third‑party publications and has been twice named a Benefits Practice Group of the Year by Law360. Our lawyers regularly earn plaudits from their clients and peers in the market:

  • “The team is particularly good at managing exceptionally complex topics and processes, and can articulate arcane legal intricacies in an especially user-friendly way. It is a rare combination of skills.” The Legal 500 US
  • “Cravath is amazing and just becomes part of the team. They are reliable and they are at the next step before you.” Chambers USA
  • “I hold Cravath in high esteem. On the simple and more complicated transactions, the firm provides expert counsel and priority responses, which helps us achieve our goals.” Chambers USA
  • “They provide a combination of competence and customer service that is unequaled.” Chambers USA
  • The Cravath team is “extremely knowledgeable across strategic and tactical issues with a very pragmatic and common-sense approach to problem solving.” The Legal 500 US
  • “Cravath attorneys have been fantastic to work with. They are very capable legally of course, but also help me to think through the business implications of negotiations as well.” Chambers USA

The compensation and benefit matters that arise in merger and acquisition transactions are the primary focus of the Department. Our lawyers negotiate key terms of acquisition agreements, develop executive succession arrangements and design and implement new compensation and benefit plans.

In addition to our transactional experience, our executive compensation and benefits lawyers work closely with our litigators to handle matters involving employment, employee benefits and ERISA issues, including in class action lawsuits that may be intertwined with securities and shareholder derivative cases. We have broad experience in disputes that involve employee noncompetition and nonsolicitation agreements, internal investigations of claims of executive misconduct, modifications of employee retirement and benefits agreements and whistleblower claims.

We also advise our clients in connection with the complexities of their ongoing compensation and benefits practices. We help prepare the executive compensation disclosure in annual proxy statements for public companies, including the CD&A and any management compensation proposals, such as say‑on‑pay and approval of new equity compensation plans. In addition, we counsel our clients on the increasingly important issue of investor relations, including the management of relations with corporate governance watchdogs such as ISS/Glass Lewis and major institutional shareholders, as well as in defense against activist shareholders. We are also frequently asked to represent CEOs and other senior executives and corporate clients in crafting individual employment and severance agreements.

Cravath has been consistently named a leading firm for executive compensation and benefits by numerous third‑party publications and has been twice named a Benefits Practice Group of the Year by Law360. Our lawyers regularly earn plaudits from their clients and peers in the market:

  • “The team is particularly good at managing exceptionally complex topics and processes, and can articulate arcane legal intricacies in an especially user-friendly way. It is a rare combination of skills.” The Legal 500 US
  • “Cravath is amazing and just becomes part of the team. They are reliable and they are at the next step before you.” Chambers USA
  • “I hold Cravath in high esteem. On the simple and more complicated transactions, the firm provides expert counsel and priority responses, which helps us achieve our goals.” Chambers USA
  • “They provide a combination of competence and customer service that is unequaled.” Chambers USA
  • The Cravath team is “extremely knowledgeable across strategic and tactical issues with a very pragmatic and common-sense approach to problem solving.” The Legal 500 US
  • “Cravath attorneys have been fantastic to work with. They are very capable legally of course, but also help me to think through the business implications of negotiations as well.” Chambers USA
  • Deals & Cases
  • Recent News & Insights

Deals & Cases

February 28, 2026

Paramount’s $110 Billion Acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.

On February 27, 2026, Paramount Skydance Corporation (“Paramount”) and Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. ("WBD") announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Paramount will acquire WBD. Under the terms of the agreement, Paramount will pay $31.00 per share in cash for all outstanding shares of WBD. The transaction values WBD at an enterprise value of $110 billion, and has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. Cravath is representing Paramount in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

February 26, 2026

MPLX LP’s $1.5 Billion Registered Senior Notes Offering

Cravath represented the underwriters in connection with the $1.5 billion registered senior notes offering of MPLX LP, a master limited partnership formed by Marathon Petroleum Corporation. MPLX LP owns, operates, develops and acquires pipelines and other midstream assets related to the transportation and storage of crude oil, refined products and other hydrocarbon-based products. The transaction closed on February 12, 2026.

Deals & Cases

February 24, 2026

ADT’s Acquisition of Origin

On February 24, 2026, ADT, a leading provider of security, interactive and smart home solutions serving residential and small business customers in the U.S., announced it has acquired Origin Wireless, Inc. (“Origin”), bringing Origin’s AI sensing platform and related intellectual property into the ADT ecosystem. The purchase price for the transaction was $170 million in cash, subject to customary purchase price adjustments. Cravath is representing ADT in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

February 18, 2026

Tenax’s Merger with Air

On February 17, 2026, Tenax Aerospace Acquisition, LLC (“Tenax”) and Air Industries Group (“Air”) jointly announced that they have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger to combine Tenax’s special mission aviation business with Air’s precision aerospace manufacturing business. At the time of the merger, Air will issue shares of its common stock to holders of Tenax membership units. After the closing, Tenax shareholders are expected to own approximately 95% of Air’s outstanding shares while existing Air shareholders are expected to own approximately 5%, and the combined company expects to remain listed on the NYSE American under the symbol AIRI. Cravath is representing Tenax 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”).

Publications

February 13, 2026

Cravath Publishes Quarterly Review on Q4 2025 Trends in M&A, Activism and Corporate Governance

On February 13, 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:

Publications

February 10, 2026

G.J. Ligelis Jr., Chris Fargo, Alyssa Caples and Maggie Segall Co‑Author U.S. Chapters of Chambers Investing In… 2026 Guide

Cravath partners G.J. Ligelis Jr., Christopher K. Fargo, Alyssa K. Caples and Margaret T. Segall co‑authored the U.S. Law & Practice chapter of the Chambers Investing In… 2026 guide, which was published in January 2026. The guide, which is part of the publisher’s Global Practice Guide series, examines country‑specific legal issues that arise from foreign direct investment (“FDI”) and cross‑border transactions in the more than 30 jurisdictions covered. The U.S. Law & Practice chapter surveys the legal system and regulatory framework for FDI in the country, analyzing the economic climate as well as considerations related to mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, capital markets, antitrust, national security, tax, employment and intellectual property.

Publications

February 02, 2026

Cravath Publishes Winter 2026 Issue of Alumni Journal

Cravath released the Winter 2026 issue of its Alumni Journal, which highlights the Firm’s global alumni community. This issue features the career journey of Susan Jong, the Head of Corporate Legal and Corporate Secretary at Amazon, as well as a recent conversation with Jason Dymbort, the Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary at First Solar, Inc. This edition also spotlights several alumni who have gone on to work in venture capital, or at start-ups and other companies navigating territory that comes with new technologies and market dynamics, and includes photos from the Firm’s October 2025 Alumni Reception held at the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan. 

Activities

November 07, 2025

Jon Katz Speaks at the Center on Executive Compensation’s 2025 Annual Meeting

On November 6, 2025, Cravath partner Jonathan J. Katz participated in the Center on Executive Compensation's 2025 Annual Meeting, which was presented by the Chief Human Resource Officer (“CHRO”) Association from November 5‑6 in Washington, D.C. Jon spoke on a panel entitled “Making Winners Without Losers: Pay Strategies to Support CEO Succession,” which discussed keeping internal candidates in the game, encouraging critical development moves and attracting external executives when the moment demands it.

Publications

August 14, 2025

Cravath Publishes Summer 2025 Issue of Alumni Journal

Cravath released the Summer 2025 issue of its Alumni Journal, which highlights the Firm’s global alumni community. This issue features the career journey of Ed Weiss, Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and General Counsel at Fenway Sports Group, as well as a recent conversation with Margot Miller, the Global Vice President of Legal & Corporate Affairs at AB InBev and the company’s e‑commerce platform, BEES. This edition also spotlights the Firm’s antitrust practice and includes photos of the Firm’s new London office, which was recently relocated to 100 Cheapside. 

Deals & Cases

February 28, 2026

Paramount’s $110 Billion Acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.

On February 27, 2026, Paramount Skydance Corporation (“Paramount”) and Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. ("WBD") announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Paramount will acquire WBD. Under the terms of the agreement, Paramount will pay $31.00 per share in cash for all outstanding shares of WBD. The transaction values WBD at an enterprise value of $110 billion, and has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. Cravath is representing Paramount in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

February 26, 2026

MPLX LP’s $1.5 Billion Registered Senior Notes Offering

Cravath represented the underwriters in connection with the $1.5 billion registered senior notes offering of MPLX LP, a master limited partnership formed by Marathon Petroleum Corporation. MPLX LP owns, operates, develops and acquires pipelines and other midstream assets related to the transportation and storage of crude oil, refined products and other hydrocarbon-based products. The transaction closed on February 12, 2026.

Deals & Cases

February 24, 2026

ADT’s Acquisition of Origin

On February 24, 2026, ADT, a leading provider of security, interactive and smart home solutions serving residential and small business customers in the U.S., announced it has acquired Origin Wireless, Inc. (“Origin”), bringing Origin’s AI sensing platform and related intellectual property into the ADT ecosystem. The purchase price for the transaction was $170 million in cash, subject to customary purchase price adjustments. Cravath is representing ADT in connection with the transaction.

Deals & Cases

February 18, 2026

Tenax’s Merger with Air

On February 17, 2026, Tenax Aerospace Acquisition, LLC (“Tenax”) and Air Industries Group (“Air”) jointly announced that they have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger to combine Tenax’s special mission aviation business with Air’s precision aerospace manufacturing business. At the time of the merger, Air will issue shares of its common stock to holders of Tenax membership units. After the closing, Tenax shareholders are expected to own approximately 95% of Air’s outstanding shares while existing Air shareholders are expected to own approximately 5%, and the combined company expects to remain listed on the NYSE American under the symbol AIRI. Cravath is representing Tenax 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”).

Publications

February 13, 2026

Cravath Publishes Quarterly Review on Q4 2025 Trends in M&A, Activism and Corporate Governance

On February 13, 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:

Publications

February 10, 2026

G.J. Ligelis Jr., Chris Fargo, Alyssa Caples and Maggie Segall Co‑Author U.S. Chapters of Chambers Investing In… 2026 Guide

Cravath partners G.J. Ligelis Jr., Christopher K. Fargo, Alyssa K. Caples and Margaret T. Segall co‑authored the U.S. Law & Practice chapter of the Chambers Investing In… 2026 guide, which was published in January 2026. The guide, which is part of the publisher’s Global Practice Guide series, examines country‑specific legal issues that arise from foreign direct investment (“FDI”) and cross‑border transactions in the more than 30 jurisdictions covered. The U.S. Law & Practice chapter surveys the legal system and regulatory framework for FDI in the country, analyzing the economic climate as well as considerations related to mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, capital markets, antitrust, national security, tax, employment and intellectual property.

Publications

February 02, 2026

Cravath Publishes Winter 2026 Issue of Alumni Journal

Cravath released the Winter 2026 issue of its Alumni Journal, which highlights the Firm’s global alumni community. This issue features the career journey of Susan Jong, the Head of Corporate Legal and Corporate Secretary at Amazon, as well as a recent conversation with Jason Dymbort, the Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary at First Solar, Inc. This edition also spotlights several alumni who have gone on to work in venture capital, or at start-ups and other companies navigating territory that comes with new technologies and market dynamics, and includes photos from the Firm’s October 2025 Alumni Reception held at the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan. 

Activities

November 07, 2025

Jon Katz Speaks at the Center on Executive Compensation’s 2025 Annual Meeting

On November 6, 2025, Cravath partner Jonathan J. Katz participated in the Center on Executive Compensation's 2025 Annual Meeting, which was presented by the Chief Human Resource Officer (“CHRO”) Association from November 5‑6 in Washington, D.C. Jon spoke on a panel entitled “Making Winners Without Losers: Pay Strategies to Support CEO Succession,” which discussed keeping internal candidates in the game, encouraging critical development moves and attracting external executives when the moment demands it.

Publications

August 14, 2025

Cravath Publishes Summer 2025 Issue of Alumni Journal

Cravath released the Summer 2025 issue of its Alumni Journal, which highlights the Firm’s global alumni community. This issue features the career journey of Ed Weiss, Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and General Counsel at Fenway Sports Group, as well as a recent conversation with Margot Miller, the Global Vice President of Legal & Corporate Affairs at AB InBev and the company’s e‑commerce platform, BEES. This edition also spotlights the Firm’s antitrust practice and includes photos of the Firm’s new London office, which was recently relocated to 100 Cheapside. 

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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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