Claudia J.
Ricciardi

On July 7, 2024, Paramount Global (“Paramount”), a leading global media, streaming and entertainment company, and Skydance Media (“Skydance”), a diversified media company founded to create high-quality, event-level entertainment for global audiences, announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement to form “New Paramount,” a next-generation media and technology leader, through a two-step transaction including the acquisition of National Amusements, Inc. (“NAI”), which holds the controlling share stake in Paramount, and subsequently a merger of Skydance and Paramount. Under the terms of the agreement, which has been approved by the Paramount Board of Directors, acting on the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee of independent directors, and by NAI, Skydance will merge with Paramount in a transaction valuing New Paramount at an enterprise value of approximately $28 billion. Existing Skydance investors will receive 317 million newly issued Class B shares in New Paramount valuing Skydance at $4.75 billion based on $15 per Paramount Class B share. The Skydance Investor Group will invest up to $6 billion in offers to Class A and Class B stockholders, and use the additional capital to paydown debt and re-capitalize the balance sheet of New Paramount. NAI and its owners have entered into a definitive agreement to sell NAI to Skydance IG for $2.4 billion on a cash-free, debt-free basis. Cravath is representing the Paramount Special Committee in connection with the agreement.

On April 2, 2024, Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. (“Endeavor”), a global sports and entertainment company, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Silver Lake, the global leader in technology investing, in partnership with the Endeavor management team and additional anchor investors. Cravath is representing the independent Special Committee of Endeavor’s board of directors in connection with the transaction.

On January 31, 2024, Health Care Service Corporation (“HCSC”), the country’s largest customer‑owned health insurer, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with The Cigna Group (“Cigna”) to acquire its Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplemental Benefits, Medicare Part D and CareAllies businesses for a purchase price of $3.3 billion. Cigna’s Medicare plans currently serve 3.6 million Medicare members. Cravath is representing HCSC in connection with the transaction.

On August 3, 2023, Hasbro, Inc., a leading toy and game company, announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to sell its eOne film and TV business to Lionsgate for approximately $500 million, consisting of $375 million in cash, subject to certain purchase price adjustments, and the assumption by Lionsgate of production financing loans. Cravath is representing Hasbro in connection with the transaction.

On May 16, 2023, IBM announced it has acquired Polar Security, an innovator in technology that helps companies discover, continuously monitor and secure cloud and software‑as‑a‑service (SaaS) application data. Cravath is representing IBM in connection with the transaction.

Cravath partners Faiza J. Saeed, Daniel J. Cerqueira and Claudia J. Ricciardi were recognized in The Hollywood Reporter’s list of “Hollywood’s Top Dealmakers of 2024,” which was published in the December 4, 2024 issue of The Hollywood Reporter Magazine. The feature highlighted the dealmakers who made “the most impactful and intriguing mergers and acquisitions” happen in the industry this year. Faiza, Dan and Claudia were noted for their representation of the Paramount Special Committee in its $28 billion merger agreement with Skydance. Faiza and Claudia were also noted for their representation of the independent Special Committee of Endeavor’s board of directors in its $25 billion take private acquisition by Silver Lake.

On October 24, 2024, Cravath hosted its sixth annual Global Enforcement Forum at its offices in New York. The event brought together investigations and regulatory lawyers from the Firm and leading foreign firms across the globe for a series of panel discussions and roundtables examining significant developments in enforcement.

On May 9, 2024, Cravath partner Claudia J. Ricciardi participated in the American Bar Association’s 2024 International Law Section Annual Conference, which was held from May 7‑10, 2024, in Washington, D.C. The event convened international attorneys from law firms, private organizations and global governmental institutions to discuss topics related to the theme of “The Power & Progress of International Law.” Claudia spoke on a panel entitled “Gender Diversity in Big Law—Where Do We Stand?,” which reviewed equality factors and solutions helping women to accelerate their careers in big multi‑jurisdictional law firms.