Navigating Compensation Issues in M&A Deals in a Volatile Market
Compensation matters, including retention packages, equity treatment and related disclosure, are always key negotiating points in M&A transactions. In a challenging M&A market that is stifled by overall volatility and uncertainty, high interest rates, and reduced valuations, issues related to compensation may become more fraught as parties navigate alternative transaction […]
Apples, Oranges and Lemonade: Pursuing Multiple Strategic Alternatives in the Public Company Boardroom
In all economic cycles, engaged public company boards and management teams do their homework on the wide range of potential strategic opportunities. In the current market environment, however, we have observed that an increasing number of companies and their boards are actively progressing (or taking steps to formulate a plan […]
Court of Justice Sets Lightning Rod for EU Foreign Direct Investment Screening
On 13 July 2023, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) handed down its first ruling on the European Union Foreign Direct Investment Screening Regulation, which entered into force in October 2020. In short, the CJEU clarified in Xella Magyarország that the regulation does not apply to acquisitions […]
Draft Revised Merger Guidelines Foreshadow More Aggressive Antitrust Enforcement
The US Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission released draft revised merger guidelines in an effort to support the Biden administration’s aggressive antitrust enforcement agenda. The draft guidelines, which are subject to public comment for 60 days, spell out novel theories of harm that the Biden DOJ and FTC have pursued […]
Assessing Overlapping Boards After DOJ Crackdown
Over the past year, the U.S. Department of Justice has garnered headlines by issuing press releases announcing that directors have stepped down from 10 company boards, in response to DOJ concerns that their roles violated the Clayton Act’s Section 8 prohibitions on interlocking directorates.In October 2022, the DOJ announced the resignation of directors from […]
Life Sciences Reverse Mergers Go Global: Is it the Path for Your Company?
With the US initial public offering markets continuing to remain largely closed, and special purpose acquisition company combinations being costly and complex, there’s a new kid in town for foreign companies looking to go public in the US: reverse mergers. We’ve seen a material increase in reverse merger transactions – […]
Cooley’s M&A Insights for Q3 2022
Cooley’s M&A practice has been busy amid the typically slower summer wind down. Steaming through the third quarter, Cooley’s deal flow put us at the top of the Bloomberg, Mergermarket and Refinitiv Q3 M&A league tables. Below, we’ve rounded up key insights and notable deals that have kept our team […]
Event Recording: A Conversation on M&A in Today’s Market
On September 28, 2022, Cooley sponsored the third virtual event in Axios’ Dealmakers series: A Conversation on M&A in Today’s Market. The event highlighted discussions surrounding the ever-changing dealmaking landscape of today and the impact of a recession on the future of the market. Axios technology and business reporter Kia […]
Transfer Traps: Considerations for Dual-Class Companies Contemplating M&A Transactions
The rise of founder-led, venture capital-backed companies in recent years has coincided with a surge of companies implementing dual-class share structures in connection with their initial public offerings. A dual-class structure typically entitles the holders of one class of the company’s common stock (often designated as Class B common stock) […]
Schemes of Arrangement: Dodgy Plots or Effective Ways to Purchase UK Companies?
1. What is a scheme of arrangement and when might you use it? While the word ‘scheme’ may give you pause, a scheme of arrangement is a well-trodden path to purchase UK companies via a court-approved process. A scheme of arrangement is the most common structure for acquiring a UK […]