SRZ Expands Leading Shareholder Activism Practice into the UK

SRZ is pleased to announce the expansion of its shareholder activism practice into the UK, where the firm has gained an impressive share of the legal market in investment management since opening its London office in 2002. SRZ is the only leading law firm with a top-tier hedge fund practice in both the US and Europe. The firm represents nearly half of the 100 largest hedge funds and more than 3,000 investment funds globally.

Spearheading the effort are SRZ partners Marc Weingarten and David E. Rosewater, who serve as co-heads of the firm’s global shareholder activism practice and are recognised for their dominance in the activism market. The pair was 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.”

“Given the consistently high returns for the activist sector, investors are increasingly eyeing the UK as well as continental Europe, and we are well-positioned to meet those demands,” commented Mr. Weingarten. Having advised on hundreds of campaigns, SRZ is renowned for its unparalleled expertise in both the strategic and legal aspects of shareholder activism as well as its knowledge of cutting-edge market practices.

“We have advised on many successful campaigns because of our strategic approach every step along the way, from analyzing a company’s governance, planning and executing constructive or other approaches as required, guiding voting campaigns and/or providing advice on settlements,” commented Mr. Rosewater.

The UK team of the shareholder activism practice includes SRZ corporate and funds partner Jim McNally in the London office, which is led by investment management partner Christopher Hilditch. The UK expansion of SRZ’s shareholder activism practice complements the existing funds, regulatory, derivatives and distressed investing coverage by the firm’s London-based lawyers who are prominent practitioners with a vibrant international practice.

“Having been a trusted adviser to our clients in this area in the US, we are expanding our practice into the UK just as our clients are expanding the scope of their targets,” 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 UK, US, continental Europe, the Middle East, Southern Africa, Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan) and Australia.

SRZ lawyers conduct webinars and seminars, including several dedicated to shareholder activism, throughout the year in the UK and US. 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.

Mr. Weingarten and Mr. Rosewater recently contributed expert analyses to The Activist Investing Annual Review 2014 , published by Activist Insight in association with SRZ. The review covers the major trends in activist investing in the past year and features statistics on global activist campaigns.

To view the report, visit SRZ’s Shareholder Activism Resource Center, click here.