Capabilities
The activist and shareholder landscapes have undergone dramatic changes in recent years. Activists have launched campaigns against companies of all sizes, institutional investors are more willing to cooperate with activists, and historic takeover defenses have declined in effectiveness. Against this challenging backdrop, King & Spalding has developed an innovative and highly sophisticated approach to monitoring, anticipating and preparing for activist and event-driven hedge fund activity, enabling companies and boards to respond from a position of strength while they seek to protect and enhance long-term shareholder value.
Our work spans the spectrum of activist defense: ranging from vulnerability and corporate government analyses and updates; to shareholder reviews and engagement guidance, drawing on our own relationships with institutional and hedge fund investors; to ongoing stock and event monitoring; to boardroom-level counsel in proxy campaigns and strategic transactions.
Anchored by our Corporate Monitoring and Preparedness Program, our practice includes a team of in-house financial analysts drawn from top-tier investment banks, who track and synthesize data across multiple proprietary resources to identify activist activity and trends.
January 15, 2020
Why Deals Are Becoming Harder to Close – And What to Do About It
April 20, 2017
Viewpoints - Issue 28 - The Board’s Role in Overseeing Innovation
November 21, 2016
Viewpoints - Issue 27 - Incorporating share buybacks in board-driven strategy
March 18, 2022
Cal Smith discusses activists launching hostile offers that help push target companies into play
May 27, 2021
Cal Smith quoted in profile on Exxon Mobil Corp's board of directors’ election
October 1, 2020
King & Spalding’s Chicago Office Adds Corporate Partner