The Recent Decline in Legal Challenges to M&A Deals

For the first time since 2009, the percentage of M&A deals valued over $100 million that were subject to shareholder litigation declined to below 90 percent in 2015 and so far in 2016. The lower rate in late 2015 and the first half of 2016 may be due to the impact of the January 2016 Trulia ruling that diminished the acceptability of disclosure-only settlements. In addition, a smaller number of competing lawsuits were filed for the same deal and in fewer competing jurisdictions. Lawsuits were less likely to be filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery than in previous years.