How Public Companies Can Effectively Prepare For Activist Shareholders

Foley Partner John Wilson and Associate Benjamin Rikkers authored an article that appeared in the May 19, 2010 issue of Dow Jones Corporate Governance titled "How Public Companies Can Effectively Prepare For Activist Shareholders." The authors discuss how companies can prepare in advance for an approach by an activist shareholder, stating that a company should establish a shareholder response team that addresses contacts that could develop into an activist situation. They add that anticipating shareholder concerns and frequently communicating with shareholders about the company’s strategy, performance and challenges can better prepare a company to respond to an activist approach.