Our M&A and D&O Litigation practice represents companies, boards, directors and officers in all aspects of civil litigation, internal investigations and government investigations. With more than 30 lawyers practicing in the area firm-wide, we provide an experienced team with both the substantive knowledge and strategic vision to handle cases across the country, including cases involving multiple jurisdictions, expedited discovery and preliminary injunctions. We manage these cases effectively and efficiently, drawing upon our extensive corporate, securities, private equity, insurance and regulatory practices.
In the M&A arena, Sidley has extensive experience handling litigation and providing advice concerning all types of challenges to mergers and acquisitions, including advice on fiduciary responsibilities and claims involving proxy disclosures, hostile and competing bidders, troubled deals, shareholder suits, related SEC and/or stock exchange investigations, post-closing adjustments, earn outs, breach of fiduciary duty actions, appraisal actions and books and records actions. We work closely with our corporate lawyers and clients to anticipate potential issues before a transaction is announced, and to develop strategies on how to best handle litigation. Our corporate practice is top ranked and has been consistently recognized in The American Lawyer’s annual Corporate Scorecard.
As for D&O litigation, we have a wide-ranging practice handling all types of litigation involving the duties and responsibilities of directors and officers, including litigation in state and federal court, derivative suits, creditor or trustee claims in bankruptcy, shareholder demand letters and Special Committee investigations. We also work closely with D&O insurance carriers to keep them advised with respect to such matters.
We have represented companies, boards of directors, officers, audit committees or special committees of Alberto Culver Company, Aon, AT&T Corp., Barrett Resources, Inc., Caterpillar Inc., CDW, Cintas Corporation, CNO Financial Group Inc., Discover Financial Services, Emerson Radio Corp., Equity Office Properties, First Data Corporation, Florida Power & Light, Fortress Investments, FTD.com, Huntington Bancshares Incorporated, Huron Consulting Group, IMC Global, Inland Western Retail Real Estate Trust, JPMorgan Chase, Johnson & Johnson, Kimberly Clark Corporation, Kmart, Las Vegas Sands Corp., NTT Communications, Inc., Owens Corning, Pulte Homes, Inc., Sears Roebuck & Company, The ServiceMaster Company, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., Stone Container Corporation, Tribune Corporation, True North Communications, Walgreen Co., Wallace Computer Services, West Corporation, and many other companies with respect to numerous litigations and investigations.
Recent Accolades
Sidley’s M&A and D&O Litigation and related practice capabilities and results are often recognized by the media and outside review organizations. Below please find examples of reviews of our M&A and D&O practice, and the individuals that make up the practice.
Chambers USA
M&A and D&O Litigation Global Coordinator Walter Carlson has been recognized by Chambers as a Top Litigator in Illinois since 2003. In its most recent review Chambers USA noted that Mr. Carlson “is praised for his wide range of skills, and his ‘accessible, balanced and intelligent way of thinking through issues’.”
Sidley’s Corporate M&A practice is annually recognized in Chambers “Elite” category. Most recently, Chambers commented that “[t]hey combine real-world, practical and thoughtful advice with a great bedside manner that helps us be successful. They add tremendous value.”
U.S. News Best Lawyers
U.S. News Best Lawyers recently recognized Sidley’s M&A Litigation practice in its highest tier. It also recognized Walter Carlson as its 2012 Chicago Litigation - Securities Lawyer of the Year.
U.S. News Best Lawyers recognized Sidley’s Securities Litigation practice and our Mergers and Acquisitions practice in its highest tier.
Legal 500
Sidley annually receives recognition from Legal 500 for its Securities Litigation Practice. Most recently, Legal 500 commented that “the lawyers ‘provide top-notch work,’ and are ‘very good at coming up with creative legal theories’.”
Legal 500 also recognizes Sidley’s large deal corporate M&A capabilities in its highest tier. In its most recent review Legal 500 notes that “Sidley Austin LLP’s M&A lawyers provide in-depth experience in the structuring, negotiation and financing of a broad range of domestic and cross-border M&A transactions.”