Cravath Publishes Winter 2026 Issue of Alumni Journal
M&A Litigation
Cravath handles a unique concentration of complex and nontraditional transaction‑related litigation, often involving novel issues of law and requiring strategic coordination of multiple suits. Precedent‑setting wins for our clients in merger litigation brought in courts in New York, Delaware and throughout the country have given corporate defendants greater ammunition to protect critical business interests nationwide.
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
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
Activities
March 26, 2026
G.J. Ligelis Jr. Speaks at the 38th Annual Tulane Corporate Law Institute
On March 20, 2026, Cravath partner G.J. Ligelis Jr. participated in the 38th Annual Tulane Corporate Law Institute, which was hosted by Tulane University Law School from March 19‑20 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The event featured discussions between M&A and securities practitioners, Delaware Supreme Court and Court of Chancery judiciary, corporate counsel and investment bankers on topics in M&A, corporate and securities law. G.J. spoke on a panel entitled “The Shareholder Proposal Process.”
Publications
March 11, 2026
HLS Forum on Corporate Governance Publishes Cravath’s Q4 2025 Newsletter on M&A, Activism and Corporate Governance
On March 10, 2026, the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance published Cravath’s latest quarterly newsletter on M&A, activism and corporate governance. The newsletter provides insight into practical points, key takeaways and relevant developments across the M&A, activism, tax, regulatory and corporate governance landscape during the fourth quarter of 2025. Contributors to this edition include partners G.J. Ligelis Jr., Evan A. Hill, Andrew M. Wark, Bethany A. Pfalzgraf and Edward O. Minturn.
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
November 10, 2025
Cravath Publishes Quarterly Review on Q3 2025 Trends in M&A, Activism and Corporate Governance
On November 10, 2025, 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, restructuring, regulatory and corporate governance landscape. This edition covers:
Activities
September 08, 2025
Lawdragon Names 38 Cravath Partners to its 2026 List of “500 Leading Litigators in America”
On September 5, 2025, Lawdragon announced the inclusion of 38 Cravath partners in its list of the “500 Leading Litigators in America.” The list, assembled based on research and vetting by peers, recognizes “outstanding advocates” who have “made their mark representing clients in their most important courtroom, investigative and administrative battles” across cases spanning the areas of antitrust, finance, investigations, intellectual property, M&A and securities, among many others.
Activities
March 26, 2026
G.J. Ligelis Jr. Speaks at the 38th Annual Tulane Corporate Law Institute
On March 20, 2026, Cravath partner G.J. Ligelis Jr. participated in the 38th Annual Tulane Corporate Law Institute, which was hosted by Tulane University Law School from March 19‑20 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The event featured discussions between M&A and securities practitioners, Delaware Supreme Court and Court of Chancery judiciary, corporate counsel and investment bankers on topics in M&A, corporate and securities law. G.J. spoke on a panel entitled “The Shareholder Proposal Process.”
Publications
March 11, 2026
HLS Forum on Corporate Governance Publishes Cravath’s Q4 2025 Newsletter on M&A, Activism and Corporate Governance
On March 10, 2026, the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance published Cravath’s latest quarterly newsletter on M&A, activism and corporate governance. The newsletter provides insight into practical points, key takeaways and relevant developments across the M&A, activism, tax, regulatory and corporate governance landscape during the fourth quarter of 2025. Contributors to this edition include partners G.J. Ligelis Jr., Evan A. Hill, Andrew M. Wark, Bethany A. Pfalzgraf and Edward O. Minturn.
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
November 10, 2025
Cravath Publishes Quarterly Review on Q3 2025 Trends in M&A, Activism and Corporate Governance
On November 10, 2025, 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, restructuring, regulatory and corporate governance landscape. This edition covers:
Activities
September 08, 2025
Lawdragon Names 38 Cravath Partners to its 2026 List of “500 Leading Litigators in America”
On September 5, 2025, Lawdragon announced the inclusion of 38 Cravath partners in its list of the “500 Leading Litigators in America.” The list, assembled based on research and vetting by peers, recognizes “outstanding advocates” who have “made their mark representing clients in their most important courtroom, investigative and administrative battles” across cases spanning the areas of antitrust, finance, investigations, intellectual property, M&A and securities, among many others.
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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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