A unique business environment thrives in Silicon Valley. At the same time, technology companies stand at an inflection point, facing the potential for increased government regulation of Big Tech and emerging technologies, growing cybersecurity and data privacy concerns, and constant pressure from new disruptors.
Since Sullivan & Cromwell opened its Palo Alto office in 2000, we have integrated our leading worldwide practices in M&A, Antitrust, Intellectual Property, Capital Markets, Litigation, Corporate Governance, Tax, Fintech, Cybersecurity and Criminal Defense & Investigations into our work for clients here. Across decades we have advised on some of the most prominent transactions and litigation in the worlds of Technology, Media and Telecommunications.
We view ourselves first and foremost as business lawyers, assembling multi-disciplinary teams to help each client reach their strategic objectives. We work with our clients to find new ways to keep ahead of rapid developments and to navigate their businesses smoothly through continued change.
In this episode of S&C Critical Insights, Sarah Payne, John Savva and Melissa Sawyer are joined by Kelly Sullivan, partner at communications firm Joele Frank, and Scott Winter, managing director at proxy solicitation firm Innisfree, to discuss the new universal proxies required by the Securities and Exchange Commission. They discuss how companies can prepare for these proxies, which must include all director nominees properly presented for election, and what to expect for the upcoming season.
The group discussed how the new ballots will likely lead to more activism, especially from smaller investors, and how companies can respond. On a positive note, the new proxy process has spurred many companies to refresh their bylaws to better address this new process.
October 5, 2022
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Sarah Payne is managing partner of Sullivan & Cromwell’s Palo Alto office and is co-head of the Capital Markets Group and Technology M&A and Finance Group. Sarah has a broad-based corporate practice, focusing on public and private securities offerings, M&A transactions and investments in venture capital funds.
“Our multidisciplinary approach enables clients to execute on the best strategies to achieve their goals.”
–Sarah Payne