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Going-Private Transactions: Strategic Considerations

Deal Structures, Fiduciary Duties, Procedural Safeguards, Disclosure Obligations

Recording of a 90-minute premium CLE webinar with Q&A

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Conducted on Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Recorded event now available

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This CLE course will provide M&A counsel with a thorough understanding of going-private transactions, including strategic considerations, fiduciary duty issues, procedural safeguards, and required disclosures.

Description

The adverse operating environment in many industries has generated increased interest in taking public companies private. In making or responding to taking private offers, counsel must understand the regulatory framework and consider appropriate procedural safeguards to address litigation and other risks. As in any M&A transaction, the deal process and strategy can have a significant impact on the outcome.

Federal securities laws that apply to any acquisition of a public company apply to going-private transactions as well. Under Rule 13e-3 of the Exchange Act, a going-private transaction may be subject to heightened disclosure requirements. Given the heightened SEC scrutiny and the likelihood of breach of fiduciary duty and other lawsuits, counsel must approach these transactions strategically and cautiously.

Going-private transactions are generally structured as either a one-step or a two-step merger. Either approach involves the bidder presenting its proposal to purchase the public company target, negotiations with the target company, and approval by the target board of directors. The board will need to determine the status of the bidder--whether a controlling stockholder or a third-party buyer--and take steps to avoid any conflicts of interest and assess alternatives for superior value.

Listen as our authoritative panel provides a deep-dive into going-private transactions, including the strategic considerations, fiduciary duty issues, procedural safeguards, and required disclosures.

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Outline

  1. Current market trends
    1. Incentives to take a public company private
    2. Minority squeeze-outs
    3. LBO/MBOs
    4. State of the financing markets
    5. Implications of the current operating environment
  2. Key considerations
    1. Litigation risks
    2. Disclosure obligations--Rules 13e-3, 13D
    3. Timing considerations
    4. Competing offers
    5. Fiduciary duties, procedural safeguards, and "fairness"
    6. Affiliate issues
    7. Standard of judicial review
    8. Special considerations for MLPs/PTPs
  3. Structuring the transaction--one-step vs. two-step merger

Benefits

The panel will review these and other key issues:

  • What are the current market incentives for taking a public company private?
  • What federal and state laws govern going-private transactions?
  • What special requirements does SEC Rule 13e-3 impose, and when does it apply?
  • How do going-private transactions increase fiduciary duty liability exposure for corporate directors and controlling shareholders?
  • What are the key strategic considerations that companies must consider when planning going-private transactions?

Faculty

Grabos, Daniel
Daniel Grabos

Managing Director, Co-Head of Industrials M&A
Barclays

Mr. Grabos has been an investment banker for 25 years. He is responsible for advising management teams and boards of...  |  Read More

Mills, Phillip
Phillip R. Mills

Partner
Davis Polk & Wardwell

Mr. Mills practices in the firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions Group, advising on domestic and cross-border...  |  Read More

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