The truism that every crisis brings about opportunities also applies to mergers and acquisitions. The COVID-19 pandemic provides ample opportunities for corporate buyers to enter a new market or expand their existing portfolio through acquisitions – for attractively low prices. However, distressed M&A transactions come with numerous peculiarities that advisors need to be on top of and buyers need to be alert to. The seminar covers these special aspects of mergers and acquisitions in times of crisis with a focus on the differences between key jurisdictions.

Topics covered
– Setting the scene – What are the different stages of distress and what are the risks of engaging at each stage?
– The seller’s agenda – What will the seller be considering?
– Differences – How does ‘distressed’ M&A differ from ‘normal’ M&A?
– Wider considerations – What else to be mindful of?

Mr. Jochen Ellrott is a partner in the Tokyo office of international law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. He focuses on cross-border private M&A transactions and regularly advises on distressed M&A transactions, restructurings and general corporate law. His track record is particularly strong in the automotive, telecommunications and healthcare industries. Having spent 18 years in Freshfields’ Hamburg office before relocating to Tokyo, he has broad experience getting cross-border deals done across Europe, Asia and the US. His clients include strategic investors from Japan, Europe, India, China and the Americas as well as global financial investors and alternative capital providers.

The Law Society of Hong Kong has awarded this seminar 1.5 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.