Shareholder Activism

Shareholder activism has never been more prevalent. Drawing on decades of experience and a multidisciplinary, senior team, Debevoise provides nuanced, effective counsel to companies and boards of directors seeking to evaluate and respond to shareholder proposals for action. Activist situations are often complex, fluid and highly public. They require careful balancing of stakeholder interests, a thorough understanding of a company’s business and strategy, and a considered assessment of risk and reward. Debevoise dives deep to help companies and directors make the tough calls, armed with a thorough, up-to-date knowledge of the differences among activists and their tactics, as well as the likely responses of various shareholders. The firm has extensive experience in addressing the numerous constituencies implicated by shareholder activism, including proxy advisory services, the media, employees, commercial partners, and the SEC and other regulators. By avoiding a “one-size-fits-all” approach, Debevoise can achieve superior results for companies and their shareholders in dealing with activist situations.