Over the past 15+ years covered by the ABA studies, materiality scrapes have morphed from being a somewhat uncommon provision, seen in about 14% of transactions in 2005, to something near-ubiquitous in M&A purchase...more
In M&A transactions, unknown target liabilities are typically addressed in different ways throughout the M&A purchase agreement. A no undisclosed liabilities representation is one of the principal representations in an M&A...more
Representation and warranty insurance (“RWI”) is an increasingly important feature of private company M&A transactions. Every other year since 2005 the ABA has released its Private Target Mergers and Acquisitions Deal Point...more
A “sandbagging” provision, sometimes referred to as a “pro-sandbagging” provision,) in an M&A agreement such as an—asset purchase agreement, stock purchase agreement, or merger agreement—states that a buyer's remedies against...more
By including a jury trial waiver in an M&A purchase agreement, the parties agree to waive their rights to a jury trial in any dispute under the M&A agreement. Jury trial waivers may also extend to disputes under all of the...more
In M&A transactions, the definitive purchase agreement (whether asset purchase agreement, stock purchase agreement, or merger agreement) typically contains representations, warranties, and covenants, along with related...more
In merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions, the definitive purchase agreement whether asset purchase agreement, stock purchase agreement, or merger agreement typically contains representations and warranties made by the...more
Ambiguous drafting of earnout provisions in M&A agreements is a perennial source of post-closing disputes. What may have seemed clear to parties in the heat of negotiations can often become less so as time passes,...more
Image a home buyer finally finds their dream house. There’s just one problem. During their home inspection, they discover the foundation is cracked. But they buy the house anyway, fully aware of the issues with the...more
Market Trends: What You Need to Know - As reflected in the American Bar Association's Private Target Mergers and Acquisitions Deal Points Studies: “Knowledge” is now almost always defined in private company...more
Market Trends: What You Need to Know - “Sandbagging” concepts are often the subject of intense negotiation in M&A transactions. Inclusion of pro-sandbagging clauses within M&A purchase agreements has been on the decline,...more
Market Trends: What You Need to Know - As shown in the American Bar Association's Private Target Mergers and Acquisitions Deal Points Studies: Over the time period covered by the nine studies (2005-2021), the level of...more
Market Trends: What You Need to Know - As shown in the American Bar Association's Private Target Mergers and Acquisitions Deal Points Studies: Inclusion of damage mitigation provisions in merger and acquisition...more
Market Trends: What You Need to Know - As shown in the American Bar Association's Private Target Mergers and Acquisitions Deal Points Studies. Over the nine ABA studies (2005-2021), indemnity caps have declined as a...more
Market Trends: What You Need to Know - As shown in the American Bar Association’s Private Target Mergers and Acquisitions Deal Points Studies: Overall, alternative dispute resolution provisions are becoming less...more
In an opinion of significance to M&A Practitioners, the Delaware Court of Chancery recently made it clear that Delaware law allows a buyer in an acquisition to “sandbag” a seller if the acquisition agreement allows for...more
On March 9, 2022, the Delaware Court of Chancery issued a post-trial decision in Arwood v. AW Site Services, LLC, subsequently amended on March 24, 2022. The plaintiff, John Arwood, had spent decades building a waste...more
Recent Delaware cases appear to make two things clear. First, it remains extremely unlikely that a court will find an event or occurrence to fall within the general provisions of a Material Adverse Effect condition and as a...more
In late November of last year, the Court of Chancery in Delaware handed down a decision in a case called AB Stable VIII LLC v. MAPS Hotels and Resorts One, LLC ...more
In a late night, 242-page decision, the Delaware Court of Chancery ruled that the buyer in a purchase and sale agreement was relieved of its obligation to close and could terminate the agreement as a result of the changes...more
Letters of intent, or LOIs, serve an important purpose in corporate deals and M&A, and their use is widespread. Equally widespread is litigation concerning their enforceability. Unless commercial parties are careful, they may...more
Market Trends: What You Need to Know - Over the past almost 15 years covered by the ABA studies, materiality scrapes have morphed from being a somewhat uncommon provision, seen in about 14% of transactions in 2005, to...more
Many asset deals have hidden risks that can prove costly for buyers if not addressed prior to closing the transaction, particularly in a distressed transaction where the seller may be unable to satisfy retained liabilities...more
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the uncertainty surrounding its long-term implications have caused a noticeable disruption in the consummation of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions....more