Leading Activists to Speak at Schulte Roth & Zabel Seminar: Shareholder Activism in the UK

SRZ, widely regarded as a go-to law firm for activist investors, is hosting “Shareholder Activism in the UK,” a seminar being held today in London. The event features headline-making activists and the leading lawyers of SRZ’s renowned shareholder activism practice. They will share their unparalleled market knowledge on the panels “The Activists Speak: Perspectives on UK Shareholder Activism” and “Shareholder Campaigns in the UK.” The event is by invitation only.

SRZ’s global shareholder activism practice is led by Marc Weingarten and David E. Rosewater, who are recognised for their dominance in the activism market and earlier this year announced the expansion of the firm’s activism practice into the UK and Europe. The UK team of the practice also includes SRZ corporate and funds partner Jim McNally, based in the firm’s London office.

The impressive list of seminar speakers also includes: Richard Bernstein, Crystal Amber Fund; Blake Nixon, Worsley Associates LLP; Olly Scott, Bell Pottinger; Nelson Seraci, ISS; Cas Sydorowitz, Georgeson; Julian A. Treger, Audley Capital Advisors LLP; and David F. Trenchard, Knight Vinke.

“Shareholder activism has started to become much more prevalent in the UK given recent returns. While these types of funds and investors may not have traditionally targeted UK companies to the degree they have in the US, shareholders are finding that activism in a variety of forms can be an effective tool when faced with an undermanaged company,” said Mr. Weingarten.

“There is beginning to be less ‘untouched’ market space for activist investing in the US. In the UK and Europe, we are therefore seeing US-based funds launching more efforts,” added Mr. Rosewater, who along with Mr. Weingarten were named “Dealmakers of the Year 2014” by The American Lawyer magazine, which highlighted their work on the “fiercest shareholder activism campaigns and proxy contests in the market.”

In the UK, SRZ helps clients navigate, among other things, the Companies Act, which is the source of the key legal rights forming the basis of the activist investor’s “toolbox.”“The strength of our activist offerings in the UK and Europe is an excellent example of how SRZ lawyers anticipate growing client needs,” commented Christopher Hilditch, head of the London office and a partner in the Investment Management Group.

“The existing funds, regulatory, derivatives and distressed investing coverage in SRZ’s UK office is even further enhanced by our top-flight shareholder activism practice,” said Alan S. Waldenberg, chair of the firm’s Executive Committee and chair of the Tax Group. SRZ provides advice on both UK and US law to a wide range of clients located in the United Kingdom, United States, continental Europe, the Middle East, Southern Africa, Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan) and Australia.

The firm’s attorneys conduct webinars and seminars throughout the year on both sides of the Atlantic. On October 29, SRZ hosts the 5th Annual Shareholder Activism Conference in New York. The firm’s Shareholder Activism Resource Center is updated regularly and includes SRZ attorney-authored articles of interest, alerts on cases and emerging rules and regulations, practice highlights, and industry news and publications.