M&A Litigation

Cravath’s litigators work closely with our corporate lawyers, often involved from the early stages of a transaction to provide strategic advice and counseling along the way—arming us to respond quickly and holistically to any related litigation. Given our expertise in this area, we also are frequently brought on to defend against M&A-related litigation, even where our corporate attorneys were not involved in the underlying transaction, and are noted for achieving “creative and commercial resolutions.” (The Legal 500 US) We have significant experience representing companies, boards of directors and special committees in individual, class and derivative actions arising from contemplated or hostile transactions, including mergers, acquisitions and other business deals. Our litigators handle high‑stakes, multidistrict litigation covering the full range of transaction‑related issues, including the defense of company independence against activist shareholders, breach of contract and fiduciary duty allegations, challenges to shareholder rights plans and disclosure issues under state and federal laws.

We have achieved notable resolutions and established important precedent in transaction‑related matters impacting companies operating in all major industries, including technology; media and entertainment; financial services and insurance; consumer products; energy and natural resources; and healthcare and life sciences. Among other accolades, Best Lawyers Best Law Firms has repeatedly awarded Cravath “Law Firm of the Year” for our M&A litigation practice. The Firm also was named New York Law Journal’s overall “Litigation Department of the Year” three times in the past six years, most recently in 2024, and the publication also has honored the Firm as “Class Action Litigation Department of the Year.” In addition, we are consistently ranked in the top tier of The Legal 500 US, and our partners are regularly recognized individually for M&A litigation, including by Best Lawyers Best Law Firms and The Legal 500 US.

Our M&A litigators also have earned repeated praise from clients and the market, including:

• Cravath’s M&A litigators are “simply first-class. The depth of analysis, the dedication and the energy that they put in to defending their clients is outstanding. They really do go above and beyond.” Client, The Legal 500 US
• Cravath is “excellent at managing large public company M&A, where its responsiveness, expertise and deep experience are extremely valuable.” Client, The Legal 500 US
• Cravath “provides top-quality service with immediate responses and advice that is always spot on; the firm quickly finds creative and commercial resolutions.” The Legal 500 US
• The Firm is “acclaimed for the depth of its expertise in securities litigation, most notably with respect to issuer representation and M&A litigation in Delaware courts.” Chambers USA
• The Firm’s “M&A litigation practice is differentiated by the high volume of novel, complex, high‑value litigation it handles for clients from diverse industries.” The Legal 500 US
• Cravath is “a fantastic firm for M&A litigation.” Client, The Legal 500 US