The representations and warranties in an acquisition agreement customarily include a section on labor and employment matters, including statements that the seller has paid all employees, operated employee benefit plans in compliance with the law and complied with all other labor and employment laws.  More recently, that is, this year, a more specific representation known as the #MeToo or Weinstein representation (named after Harvey Weinstein, the producer fired as a result of sexual misconduct allegations) has been added to many merger agreements.  Although merger agreements have historically included statements that there have been no actions filed by employees, the #MeToo representation is very specific and goes further – it typically states that there have been no allegations of sexual harassment or misconduct made against any officer level employees during a specified number of years before the closing.  The period of years often goes beyond the statute of limitations period within which a lawsuit must be filed.  That is intentional, as buyers are worried about the indirect impact that post-closing allegations of sexual misconduct could have on the target and its brand.  Buyers are including provisions allowing them to claw back purchase price money paid or deduct from monies held back if there are post-closing revelations of sexual misconduct that damage the business.  With the almost weekly news reports of executives of large companies being investigated for sexual misconduct, the #MeToo representation in merger agreements is here to stay and should therefore be paid attention to by both buyer and seller.

If you have any questions about this or any other M&A issue,
please contact Glenn Solomon at gsolomon@offitkurman.com or 443-738-1522.

ABOUT GLENN D. SOLOMON

gsolomon@offitkurman.com | 443-738-1522

Glenn D. Solomon is a principal at Offit Kurman and has provided counsel to businesses and business owners for more than twenty-five years. He has extensive experience in the purchase and sale of businesses, structuring ownership agreements, and advising companies in financial distress.

ABOUT OFFIT KURMAN

Offit Kurman is one of the fastest-growing, full-service law firms in the Mid-Atlantic region. With over 170 attorneys offering a comprehensive range of services in virtually every legal category, the firm is well positioned to meet the needs of dynamic businesses and the people who own and operate them. Our twelve offices serve individual and corporate clients in the Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and Northern Virginia markets, as well as the Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City metropolitan areas. At Offit Kurman, we are our clients’ most trusted legal advisors, professionals who help maximize and protect business value and personal wealth. In every interaction, we consistently maintain our clients’ confidence by remaining focused on furthering their objectives and achieving their goals in an efficient manner. Trust, knowledge, confidence—in a partner, that’s perfect.

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