Simpson Thacher is proud to partner with Extraordinary Women on Boards (“EWOB”), including on their first-ever Summit, EWOB Connect 2024, held in Scottsdale, Arizona this Fall. The Summit brought together 200 EWOB members who serve on public and private for-profit boards. Simpson Thacher Partners Elizabeth Cooper, Karen Kazmerzak, Laura Lin, Anthony Vernace and Jon Youngwood represented the Firm and hosted two panels.
Elizabeth Cooper, Karen Kazmerzak and Anthony Vernace hosted a panel titled “Navigating M&A Amidst the Current Antitrust Landscape: Unchartered Waters or More of the Same?” The panel discussed regulatory hurdles in cross-border and vertical mergers, deal structuring in a stricter antitrust environment under the current administration, and expectations for a changing antitrust landscape under the new administration. Speakers on the panel highlighted regulatory scrutiny in potential deal considerations and stressed the need to act early, saying that “in a rapidly changing regulatory environment, early engagement with antitrust agencies and scenario planning are crucial to avoid surprises.”
Laura Lin and Jon Youngwood hosted a panel titled “Litigation Risks For Board Members: What You Need To Know About Recent Securities Litigation Affecting Board Members.” The panel gave an overview of trends and developments in securities and derivative litigation that pose risks to corporate boards, including the types and frequency of claims, factors influencing litigation and settlements, board director best practices and defense strategies, as well as proactive risk management, noting that directors should carefully follow board processes, as they are critical in helping to avoid litigation.
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