Paul, Weiss offers a highly experienced shareholder activism defense practice. We help public companies and their boards prepare for, respond to and navigate activist share accumulations, settlements, proxy contests and other hostile campaigns by activist investors. We are deeply familiar with the activist investor playbook, whether the focus is changes to management or directors, a shift in strategy, return of capital, operational changes or pursuing a takeover, break-up or sale of a company. Importantly, we take a commercial, problem-solving and situation specific approach to assessing, advising on and implementing the best way forward.
Publications
Executive Orders Rolling Back DEI May Increase Activism Risk
Two recent executive orders—one ending diversity, equity and inclusion policies within the federal government and the second mobilizing government agencies to identify and roll back private-sector DEI programs and policies—are likely to intensify ongoing pushback against DEI initiatives within the private sector. They also have the potential to present new opportunities for activists to drive a wedge between management teams and boards of companies and their investors.
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McDonald’s Wins Proxy Fight With Carl Icahn
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Paul, Weiss represented the board of directors of McDonald’s Corporation in its successful proxy fight with activist investor Carl Icahn.
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Scott Barshay to Discuss Shareholder Activism in 2025 at American College of Governance Counsel Roundtable
Corporate Department Chair Scott Barshay will speak on a panel, “Activism in 2025: What to Expect and How to Advise the Board,” at the American College of Governance Counsel’s virtual roundtable.
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Crown Castle Wins Proxy Contest With Boots Capital
Paul, Weiss represented the board of directors of Crown Castle Inc., one of the nation’s largest providers of shared communications infrastructure, in its successful proxy fight with Boots Capital, an investment vehicle led by Crown Castle’s co-founder and former CEO, Ted Miller.
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Red Robin Reaches Agreement With Two Activist Investors
Paul, Weiss advised the board of directors of Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. during the activist campaign by and settlement with JCP Investment Management LLC and Jumana Capital Investments LLC.
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Paul, Weiss Advises Starbucks in Activist Campaign by Elliott Management
Paul, Weiss advised Starbucks Corporation in its response to the activist campaign by hedge fund Elliott Investment Management L.P.
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Merck Overcomes Avoro Challenge to Acceleron Acquisition
Paul, Weiss helped Merck navigate an activist hedge fund challenge and successfully consummate its $11.5 billion acquisition of Acceleron, a biopharmaceutical company focused on rare disease treatments, the largest biotech deal completed in 2021.
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Intel Reaches Agreement With Activist Investor Third Point
Paul, Weiss advised Intel Corporation in its engagement and subsequent settlement with activist investor Third Point LLC.
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Krishna Veeraraghavan Notes Board-Level Impact of U.S. Debate on Unequal Share Structures in Financial Times Corporate Governance Column
Corporate partner Krishna Veeraraghavan spoke with the Financial Times about the debate surrounding the increase in dual-class share structures.
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