Adé Heyliger
Partner, Public Company Advisory Group – Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

 

Description of field of expertise

Adé Heyliger is a partner in Weil’s Public Company Advisory Group and is based in Washington, D.C. Adé regularly advises public companies, corporate boards and foreign private issuers on a broad range of Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosure and regulatory matters, securities regulation, corporate governance and compliance issues. His diverse practice encompasses counseling companies on corporate and securities law compliance in mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, capital markets transactions and bankruptcy/restructuring matters. Adé also advises public companies on matters relating to shareholder activism, including proxy contests, shareholder engagement and shareholder proposals, and provides day-to-day counsel on a variety of corporate governance, disclosure and regulatory issues.

Prior to joining Weil, Adé served for five years in the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance, where he provided interpretive advice and guidance relating to domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, going-private transactions, and reviewed numerous proxy contests, shareholder proposals and a variety of registration statements and other filings. Prior to the SEC, Adé worked in the investment banking division at Merrill Lynch, focusing on M&A, debt and equity transactions in the Telecom, Media and Technology sectors.

Adé is a former Chair of the Federal Regulation of Securities: Proxy Statements and Business Combinations Subcommittee of the American Bar Association and a former Co-Chair of the DC Bar Association Mergers & Acquisitions Committee. Adé has also served as an Adjunct Professor of “Takeovers, Mergers & Acquisitions” at Georgetown University Law Center, which, to date, has been attended by more than 100 members of the SEC Staff via the SEC University Program. He is a frequent speaker and author on SEC disclosure requirements, securities regulation and corporate governance matters and developments.

 

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

My field – the securities law portion, in particular – often comprises highly technical rules. Personally, I find that to be a benefit – i.e., a young attorney can quickly become an “expert” in an in-demand field that few others know well.  However, I would advise young attorneys to be careful not to miss the forest for the blades of grass. Don’t simply bury your head in a securities law treatise. Instead, step back and try to evaluate where your particular assignment fits within the context of the overall transaction or other matter. Whether an M&A transaction, restructuring or investigation, always keep an eye on what issue/ problem you’re trying to solve for and as it relates to that transaction. By remaining mindful of the broader goal, you’ll be better positioned to help the client find workable paths to a solution.

 

Final thoughts…

Adé is recognized as a leading lawyer for Securities: Regulation: Advisory by Chambers USA, where clients note he is “very highly regarded.” He is recognized as a “Leading Lawyer” for Corporate Governance and Shareholder Activism: Advice to Boards by Legal 500 US, where he is described as “a standout practitioner.”