What is the first agreement a purchaser and target should sign in the transaction process? The Non-Disclosure Agreement, or NDA. In its simplest form, the NDA protects confidential information that is exchanged from being used other than for purposes of evaluating the transaction. Over time, NDAs have evolved and become more complicated.  Many NDAs now contain restrictions on the purchaser soliciting the target’s clients or employees.  NDAs have historically included a statement that on the target’s request, the purchaser shall return or destroy all confidential information. However, most NDAs now contain exceptions to that in cases where the purchaser is required by law to maintain information or where it is physically impossible for the purchaser to destroy or return confidential information. The list of the kinds of confidential information that is deemed protected should be all encompassing, so that there is no dispute as to whether a specific piece of information is confidential. Last, some NDAs contain clauses usually seen in more comprehensive agreements, which limit the damages that the disclosing party can recover if the receiving party improperly discloses confidential information. What needs to be kept in mind with any NDA is that it is the starting point in a long process. Although the target needs to make sure that its information is protected, the NDA should not be turned into a long and complicated legal agreement that prevents the process from moving forward.

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 185 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 along the I95 corridor in the Virginia, Washington, DC, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York City regions. 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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