Cross-border M&A checklist for successful acquisitions in the U.S.

Cross-border M&A checklist for successful acquisitions in the U.S.
By Adam O. Emmerich & Robin Panovka

Based on current geopolitical and economic conditions, the authors of this paper provide a checklist of shifting M&A issues that practitioners should carefully consider in advance of an acquisition in the U.S. 

Recent changes, including the effect of lower corporate taxes in increasing the amount of cash that corporations can dedicate to debt reduction after an acquisition, have created more opportunities for profitable deals, whereas geopolitical tides and increased CFIUS scrutiny should be carefully considered before...

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Linking integration targets and financial metrics | M&A Conference at the University of Chicago

Linking integration targets and financial metrics
By Mr. David W. Smalstig & Ms. Dawn White & Ms. Eileen Kamerick & Mr. Ken Kotylo

Frameworks for developing realistic synergy targets were debated during this session as the participants drilled into the interplay between term sheets and post-close operating dynamics, considered occasions for limited post-merger integration, contemplated variations in deals where there is a minority or venture investment, and considered approaches that may make a future divestiture feasible. 

Dawn White, Manager, M&A Integration - Corporate Development at Corning; Eileen Kamerick, Member, Board of Directors at AIG Funds, Associated Banc-Corp, Legg-Mason Closed-End Mutual Funds and Hochschild Mining; and Ken Kotylo, Vice President of Acquisitions & Corporate Development at Telephone and Data Systems (TDS) drilled into the interplay between term sheets and....

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Carveout transactions present opportunities and challenges | M&A Conference at the University of Chicago

Carveout Transactions Present Opportunities and Challenges
By Mr. Gregg Albert & Sergio Letelier & Mr. Chandradev Mehta & Mr. Kevin Freeman

This discussion considered the environment for spin-off transactions and offered specific guidance on the disposal process and common deal terms including transition services agreements, the sufficiency of assets and financial statements representations, and the structure of escrow or holdback mechanisms to cover the seller’s indemnification obligations.

During this discussion, Sergio Letelier, Vice President, Deputy General Counsel - Corporate, Securities and M&A at Hewlett Packard Enterprise; Chandradev Mehta, Director, Strategic Planning and Transactions at LyondellBasell; and Kevin Freeman, Chief Counsel, Securities & Transactions at Tenneco considered the environment for spin-off transactions and offered specific guidance on...

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Innovation in deal structures and consideration | M&A Conference at the University of Chicago

Innovation in Deal Structures and Consideration
By Elizabeth Donley & Brett Shawn & Michael T. Wolf

This discussion examined deal structures and terms that may be employed to bridge gaps between buyers and sellers. 

Brett Shawn, Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel at Warburg Pincus; Michael Wolf, Vice President, Deputy General Counsel at Baxter International; and Elizabeth Donley, Partner at Hogan Lovells considered various forms of consideration and pricing formulations, including working capital and "locked-box" adjustments, fixed price/exchange ratio collars, valuation and earnout mechanisms, and other practical considerations relevant to M&A negotiations and...

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Maximizing value through M&A tax structures | M&A Conference at the University of Chicago

Maximizing value through M&A tax structures
By Mr. Michael O'Connor & Lee Morlock & Mr. Gene McCluskey

This session considered tax issues in due diligence, the tax benefits of various M&A structures, and looked at key tax provisions in acquisition agreements. The participants Lee Morlock, Esq., Partner at Kirkland & Ellis; Gene McCluskey, Vice President, Tax at CF Industries; and Michelle Baxter, Senior Director, Tax Planning & International Tax at Fortune Brands Home & Security offered perspective on recent tax developments that may impact transaction planning and explored the increasing use of tax liability insurance among other current issues.

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