Shareholder Activism: Tactics, Trends, and Tips

Regardless of industry, size or performance, no company is too large, too popular, too new or too successful to consider itself immune from activism. Although poor stock price performance and operational and strategic missteps can increase vulnerability, even companies that are respected industry leaders and have outperformed the market and their peers have been and are being targeted by activists.  During this session, the speakers will discuss key aspects of shareholder activism defense, including select recent notable examples of activism campaigns, the evolving role of proxy advisory firms and the key methods to engage with the company's shareholder base, important board decisions during the course of a proxy contest, and how key regulatory and legal changes have shaped the activism landscape.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Hear key strategies and best practices for companies in preparing for and deterring shareholder activism
2. Delve into key legal and tactical judgments facing companies in dealing with shareholder activism
3. Learn the pros and cons of settling a proxy contest, including key points of negotiation and timing considerations 
4. Discuss lessons learned from recent proxy contests and expectations for the upcoming proxy season
5. Discuss legal developments affecting the course of a shareholder activist campaign