Hostile Takeovers and Takeover Defense
Hostile Takeovers and Takeover Defense

Whether you are defending against a hostile takeover or launching an unsolicited proposal, our integrated, multidisciplinary team will provide you with the full range of strategies to steer you through these complex matters.

Our knowledge spans the world's major financial markets. Every day we advise on the application of U.S. tender offer and proxy rules (and relevant state codes), the UK's Takeover Code, and takeover regulations in other European and APME jurisdictions.

We can help with all aspects of hostile takeovers – including preparing training and bid defense manuals, analyzing and implementing takeover defenses, preparing or responding to an initial offer or "bear hug" letter, conducting tender offers and proxy contests, and implementing defensive strategies.

Our litigation team works seamlessly with our M&A lawyers to develop and implement effective litigation strategies in connection with these highly contentious transactions.

Click here for more detailed information on our global M&A practice.

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Our capabilities at a glance

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Judicial review wins

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Hear from our clients and industry leaders

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The whole team is super smart. They are all really easy to work with and then know our business inside out. They come to us proactively with issues and are incredibly responsive.

Chambers & Partners, UK Guide, 2025

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An intellectually brilliant and commercially astute public law team. One of the very best in the city.

Chambers & Partners UK 2025

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Hogan Lovells has a high capability in solving complex issues that involve both legal and technical perspectives.

Chambers & Partners, Germany, 2025

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The lawyers are just experts. They are there when you need them and happy to entertain all my questions. They understand the wider context and the politics and sensitivities of it.

Chambers & Partners, UK 2025

Representative experience

McCormick on its unsolicited bid for Premier Foods.
Christian Salvesen on its defense against Norbert D'Entressangle’s bid.
Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit allograft tissue bank, on its unsolicited takeover proposal for Osteotech, Inc.
Cytyc Corporation on its unsolicited takeover proposal for Vision Systems Limited, an Australian public company.
Elementis plc on its defense against activist investor action by Hanover Investors. 
Harmony Gold Mining on its US$8.9bn hostile bid for Gold Fields. 
M.P. Evans on its successful defense of an unsolicited hostile cash offer of £415m by Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad.
Norilsk Nickel Group on its US$6.3bn acquisition (initially hostile) of LionOre Mining. 
OMX on its unsolicited takeover proposal for the London Stock Exchange. 
Shaftesbury on its defense against the unsolicited partial tender offer by Sam Tak Lee. 
Sodexho Marriott Services on its response to the US$1.1bn unsolicited takeover proposal by Sodexho Alliance. 
The Board of Northumbrian Water on the bid defense of the £4bn offer from Cheung Kong Infrastructure. 
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Awards and recognitions

"Strong practice praised for its geographic coverage. Handles a range of corporate and transactional mandates such as acquisitions, takeovers and tender offers."

Chambers Global

2018

Band 1 for Dispute Resolution

Chambers Europe

2018

Band 1 for Commercial and Corporate Litigation

Chambers UK

2018

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