Express Scripts, Inc. v. Crawford, Delaware Court of Chancery, C.A. No. 2663-CC (Feb. 23, 2007)
In one of the most hotly contested takeover battles of the year, Express Scripts obtained a preliminary injunction in aid of its efforts to effect a hostile acquisition of Caremark for approximately $26 billion. Although Caremark's stockholders ultimately voted to approve an acquisition by CVS (after CVS upped its offer by an additional $3.3 billion), Express Scripts obtained significant judicial relief that increased its opportunity to achieve its business objectives. Additionally, the Delaware Court of Chancery issued important guidance respecting the nature of the disclosures required of a target company in a bidding contest and resolved an issue of first impression pertaining to the availability of appraisal rights where a merger is funded, in part, by a special dividend. The Court of Chancery also identified, but did not resolve, important issues respecting the validity and propriety of various deal protection measures adopted by Caremark and CVS.
Young Conaway handled the litigation of this matter and assisted Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in connection with advising Express Scripts on the transaction. Within the firm, the Corporate Counseling and Litigation Section carried the laboring oar, with the formal presentation in the Court of Chancery.