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Delaware Supreme Court Holds That Boards Must Satisfy the MFW Framework in Controller Transactions to Obtain Business Judgment Deference

JD Supra: Mergers

In 2014, the Delaware Supreme Court held in Kahn v. M&F Worldwide Corp. (“MFW”) By: Goodwin

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Delaware Supreme Court Revives Stockholder Claims, Finding MFW Protections Were Not In Place Prior To Economic Negotiations

Shearman & Sterling

2014) ("MFW"), and the business judgment rule applied. On appeal, the Delaware Supreme Court reversed, finding that Earthstone initiated economic negotiations before the requisite MFW protections were put in place. M&F Worldwide, 88 A.2d 2d 635 (Del.

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Delaware Supreme Court Holds That Business Judgment Rule Applies To Controller Transactions As Long As MFW Conditions Are In Place Prior To Economic Negotiation

Shearman & Sterling

2014) ("MFW") for business judgment review because the controller group's initial proposal did not contain the MFW conditions—recommendation by a special committee and approval by a majority of the disinterested stockholders—although they were added later. before any substantive economic negotiations begin."

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Allergan Fined for Failure to Disclose Merger Negotiations with Third Parties During Hostile Bid

Cooley M&A

At what point do “discussions” with a friendly merger party become “negotiations” that are required to be publicly disclosed under the tender offer rules in response to a hostile bid? Allergan maintained that no such disclosure needed to be made because it would have jeopardized the deal.

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Delaware Court Of Chancery Holds That Addition Of MFW Protections Following Initial Controller Proposal But Before Negotiations Meets MFW Conditions

Shearman & Sterling

Finding that "the controller announce[d] the conditions before any negotiations took place," the Court held the ab initio requirement was satisfied and dismissed the complaint under MFW. Plaintiffs asserted breach of fiduciary duty claims against the controller group and the special committee of the Synutra board. 3d 635 (Del.

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Delaware Supreme Court Revives Stockholder Claims, Finding MFW Protections Were Not In Place Prior To Economic Negotiations

Shearman & Sterling

2014) ("MFW"), and the business judgment rule applied. On appeal, the Delaware Supreme Court reversed, finding that Earthstone initiated economic negotiations before the requisite MFW protections were put in place. M&F Worldwide, 88 A.2d 2d 635 (Del.

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Delaware Supreme Court Holds That Business Judgment Rule Applies To Controller Transactions As Long As MFW Conditions Are In Place Prior To Economic Negotiation

Shearman & Sterling

2014) ("MFW") for business judgment review because the controller group's initial proposal did not contain the MFW conditions—recommendation by a special committee and approval by a majority of the disinterested stockholders—although they were added later. before any substantive economic negotiations begin."