M&A lawyers work on high-profile deals that are critical to their clients’ business operations. They must be able to negotiate complex legal processes, represent their client’s interests, and ensure compliance with all legal aspects of a deal. They also need to be able to assess the risks involved in M&A transactions and suggest ways to mitigate those risks. As such, M&A law offers a challenging career for attorneys with the right skill set and dedication to this practice area.
A merger or acquisition occurs when two companies combine into one legal entity, forming a new company with its own distinct identity and ownership structure. M&A law deals with both friendly share swaps or combinations of equals and hostile takeovers, or purchases mergers. A friendly merger of equals is rare, but it’s possible for two businesses to recognize synergies and see benefits from combining forces. In a hostile acquisition, the purchasing company buys out the target and takes over the operation.
When a M&A transaction mergers and acquisitions law involves a public company, it must comply with regulations from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in order to ensure fairness and efficiency in the transaction. This often includes a requirement to disclose information about the M&A transaction to shareholders through a proxy or information sheet.
M&A transactions require extensive due diligence, an investigative process that involves reviewing contracts, financial statements, regulatory compliance records, and other documents related to the acquiring company. In addition, M&A lawyers must be familiar with the laws in the target country of a purchase. For example, the Clayton Act in the United States and the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Act in Canada prohibit mergers that may create a monopoly or substantially lessen competition.
A M&A lawyer is responsible for negotiating the terms of a deal, including the purchase price and payment structure, representations and warranties, and closing conditions. They must be able to consider tax implications, accounting issues, and other legalities when drafting these agreements. For instance, an M&A lawyer might draft a letter of intent, which includes an exclusivity period and proposed purchase price range. They might also draft more formal contracts, such as a purchase agreement or non-disclosure agreement.
Another common issue in M&A law is the inclusion of a non-compete, or non-solicit, clause in a merger or acquisition. These restrictions are designed to prevent the target company from competing with the acquiring firm for a pre-determined amount of time after a sale. M&A lawyers might be involved in arguing whether these clauses are reasonable or not, depending on the industry and type of transaction. Additionally, they might advise the acquiring company about target indemnification—a hotly-contested term that refers to a clause in closing conditions requiring the acquiring firm to pay for certain liabilities if there are contractual breaches from the seller. This might include claims for fraud or material misrepresentation. In some cases, M&A lawyers might also argue over the terms of joint or several liability.