We have handled cases dealing with almost every facet of merger transactions. Whether we are representing companies, officers, directors and special committees, we are thoroughly familiar with the options available to companies for resisting efforts to sidetrack a major transaction. More importantly, we have the experience and expertise necessary to assist in evaluating those options. And we have the relationships and the credibility necessary to achieve our clients' objectives–from a "take no prisoners" defense to a quick resolution that ensures the deal will close without disruption or delay.
Broad Experience
Our experience extends to every area of fast-paced, high-stakes M&A litigation. We have successfully represented clients with respect to contested acquisitions, tender offer litigation, litigation arising out of spin-outs, and acquisitions by majority shareholders. We have also handled cases challenging the validity of poison pills and other defensive measures.
We also have a proven track record on suits seeking to rescind, terminate, and enforce merger agreements, disputes arising out of "earn-out" provisions incorporated into merger agreements, disputes regarding the allocation of merger consideration between different classes of shareholders, securities fraud claims based on statements included in SEC filings made in connection with a merger, and suits to recover "greenmail" payments made in connection with takeover battles.
Our experience extends to all realms of business including software and other internet industries, financial services, oil and gas, healthcare, medical devices, and manufacturing.
Defending Your Deal
When plaintiff counsel seeks to unwind your deal in order to turn a profit for themselves, we can ensure that their gamesmanship does not upend the product of your careful negotiation.
In our decades of combined experience, we have defended deals against claims including
inadequate price, unfair process and inadequate disclosure
- lack of independence by directors and financial advisors
- defective financial analyses and fairness opinions
self-dealing and corporate waste resulting from golden parachutes
change-of-control payments, accelerated options, and other benefits paid to officers and directors
rejection of "superior" proposals
breaches of fiduciary duty by controlling shareholders
squeeze-outs
- domination by chairmen and CEOs, and
- excessive break-up fees, lock-ups, no-shop provisions, and other protective measures