Shearman & Sterling M&A partner Clare O’Brien and M&A associates Rory O’Halloran and Michael Dockery had an article, titled “Activists at the Gate: The Continuing Evolution of Shareholder Activism in the US,” published on boardmember.com.

According to the authors, “Shareholder activism has become an issue that directors and management of larger US public companies should be aware of and prepared for—in other words, these U.S. public companies should now think of an approach by one or more shareholder activists as a real, although not inevitable, possibility.” In their article, the authors examine notable examples of activist investing and explain the implications for US companies. They also note, “Steps that U.S. public companies can—and should—take to bolster preparations for an approach from an activist investor include periodic reviews of how the company is perceived by securities analysts and the media; monitoring its shareholder base (including whether anyone is acquiring or disposing of significant amounts of the company’s stock); and consistently engaging in dialogue (including through periodic physical meetings) with the company’s largest shareholders.”

View the article, Activists at the Gate: The Continuing Evolution of Shareholder Activism in the US