Freshfields
We are only able to display limited information for this firm. We display more complete information for all of the following firms:
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP
Freshfields‘s shareholder litigation team offers considerable trial experience to clients facing suits linked to both M&A activities and corporate governance issues, including allegations of breaches of fiduciary duties by company directors and officers. In New York, Meredith Kotler and Mary Eaton specialize in defending stockholder challenges to M&A deals and tackling securities class actions; recently they secured the dismissal of several claims brought by Viela stockholders against AstraZeneca, alleging that its 2018 spinoff of Viela was done at below market value and under pressure from AstraZeneca officers. Kotler and Eaton spearhead the firm’s M&A litigation alongside Silicon Valley-based Boris Feldman, who represents an impressive roster of tech clients in securities and M&A disputes, notably advising Tesla in response to shareholder claims that the board failed to act in relation to a number of business indiscretions committed by CEO Elon Musk.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'I think the Freshfields litigation practice is outstanding due to the strength and depth of the team, their vast experience and global reach. They are simply better all around than their peers.'
- 'The two standout partners are Mary Eaton and Meredith Kotler. Mary is a world class litigator, extremely responsive, great judgment. Meredith Kotler is a superb writer, a great courtroom lawyer and utterly tenacious.'
Key clients
- AstraZeneca PLC, its CEO, and several other executives
- Tesla, several executives and its board
Work highlights
Represented AstraZeneca and several of its executives in obtaining the dismissal of all claims against it as alleged controlling stockholder of Viela Bio in a challenge to Viela’s $3bn sale to Horizon.