Emerging and Founder‑Led Companies

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 July 31, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit unanimously affirmed a jury verdict won by Cravath client Epic against Google in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California that Google has engaged in illegal anticompetitive behavior in the distribution of mobile apps and in the handling of in‑app payments. The Ninth Circuit also unanimously affirmed the district court’s permanent injunction against Google. The district court’s injunction prohibits Google from providing benefits to phone manufacturers, app developers and others in exchange for favoring the Google Play Store, prohibits Google from requiring the use of its own payment solution and also requires Google to take steps to restore competition, such as carrying other app stores on the Google Play Store.

Cravath represented Circle Internet Financial, LLC on SEC regulatory matters concerning the non‑applicability of securities laws to payment stablecoins, concurrent with Circle Internet Group Inc.’s initial public offering.

Cravath represented ODDITY Tech in connection with the $600 million Rule 144A exchangeable senior notes offering by Oddity Finance LLC, guaranteed by ODDITY Tech Ltd. and IM Pro Makeup NY L.P. Oddity Finance LLC is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of ODDITY Tech, a consumer technology company building digital‑first brands for the beauty and wellness industries worldwide. In addition, Cravath advised Oddity Finance LLC in connection with capped call transactions entered into in connection with the offering. The transaction closed on June 12, 2025.

On May 28, 2025, rhode, a fast‑growing, multi‑category lifestyle beauty brand founded by Hailey Bieber, and e.l.f. Beauty announced they have signed a definitive agreement for e.l.f. Beauty to acquire rhode. The $1 billion deal is comprised of $800 million of consideration payable at closing in a combination of cash and stock, subject to customary adjustments, and an additional potential earnout consideration of $200 million based on the future growth of the brand over a three‑year timeframe. Hailey Bieber will continue her role as Founder and additionally serve as rhode’s Chief Creative Officer and Head of Innovation, overseeing creative, product innovation and marketing. She will also act as a Strategic Advisor to the combined companies. Cravath is representing Hailey Bieber in connection with the transaction.

On October 9, 2025, Cravath of counsel Kathryn‑Ann Stamm participated in a panel entitled “Legal Side of Startups,” hosted by the NYU Stern Business and Law Association (“SBLA”). SBLA is dedicated to exploring the intersection between business and law by sharing practical insights from professionals involved in corporate law, strategy and entrepreneurship. During the panel, Kathryn‑Ann spoke about the interplay between venture capital and intellectual property (“IP”) law, emphasizing how early‑stage IP strategies underpin valuation, diligence readiness and long‑term success. She also explored scaling challenges as startups mature and discussed how emerging technologies, including AI, are reshaping diligence, licensing, data use and product development.

On October 6, 2025, Cravath partner Elad Roisman participated in the 2025 Blockchain Regulatory Symposium, hosted by Fordham Law School in New York City. The symposium provided a platform for discussions on a range of topics, including the tension between innovation and regulation in the U.S. and globally. Elad spoke on a panel entitled “Wall Street Meets Crypto... on Wall Street,” which brought together leading corporate, capital markets and M&A practitioners to discuss key considerations as crypto companies begin transitioning from private market launchpads to public markets and what comes next.

On September 25, 2025, European counsel Nicoleta D. Lupea participated in the 8th Annual IBA European Start‑up Conference in Cascais, Portugal. Nico spoke on a panel entitled “Navigating Ethics for Startup Lawyers.” The panel highlighted the unique ethical challenges faced by lawyers advising fast‑growing companies and investors, including managing conflicts of interest in founder–investor dynamics, preserving confidentiality, ensuring competence and maintaining transparency around fees. The panel also emphasized the benefits of strong ethical standards in safeguarding clients’ trust and supporting sustainable growth and the integrity of the profession in the startup and growth equity ecosystem.

On September 17, 2025, Cravath partner D. Scott Bennett participated in The L Suite’s 2025 General Counsel IPO Conference, which was held from September 16‑17 in San Francisco. The conference hosted general counsels and chief legal officers at early, growth and late‑stage private companies to discuss strategic insights and legal guidance for navigating the evolving IPO landscape, including market timing, raise sizing, managing late-stage investors, dual‑track and SPAC considerations and sector-specific momentum in areas like technology and AI. Scott co‑led a roundtable discussion entitled “Leading Through the Unknown: The GC’s Role in IPO‑Adjacent Crisis Management,” which explored how general counsels can proactively build crisis response into IPO planning, support the CEO and leadership team under pressure, maintain investor confidence and manage legal exposure when plans shift unexpectedly.

On August 12, 2025, Cravath partner Helam Gebremariam 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.