Client Alert: Considerations of the Effects of COVID-19 on M&A Transactions

The spread of COVID-19 across the world is severely impacting daily life, bringing historic volatility to financial markets, and slowing business operations and international trade across industries.  In the United States, the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oregon and California have issued “stay at home” orders.  Other states have closed schools, banned gatherings of more than 10 people and implemented other social distancing policies, all in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.  Currently, no one knows how long these orders and policies will remain in place. 

In the M&A context, many companies are asking whether the effects arising from the COVID-19 outbreak have caused or will cause a material adverse effect (MAE).  This client alert analyzes the effects of COVID-19 under MAE provisions for M&A transactions that have already signed and discusses issues parties may wish to consider when completing due diligence and contract drafting for M&A transactions that have yet to be signed.

To read the full article, please click here.

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© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

Client Alert: Considerations of the Effects of COVID-19 on M&A Transactions

The spread of COVID-19 across the world is severely impacting daily life, bringing historic volatility to financial markets, and slowing business operations and international trade across industries.  In the United States, the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oregon and California have issued “stay at home” orders.  Other states have closed schools, banned gatherings of more than 10 people and implemented other social distancing policies, all in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.  Currently, no one knows how long these orders and policies will remain in place. 

In the M&A context, many companies are asking whether the effects arising from the COVID-19 outbreak have caused or will cause a material adverse effect (MAE).  This client alert analyzes the effects of COVID-19 under MAE provisions for M&A transactions that have already signed and discusses issues parties may wish to consider when completing due diligence and contract drafting for M&A transactions that have yet to be signed.

To read the full article, please click here.

Related Locations

© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

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