Ms. Alton's work concentrates on securities law, including securities offerings by public and private companies, regulatory reporting and compliance. Her experience also includes commercial lending; venture capital financings; mergers, acquisitions and divestitures; partnership syndications; equipment leasing; and project finance. She also counsels owners and managers of small and mid-sized businesses on organization, management, capital formation, strategic planning and related business and legal matters in all phases of their development.
Areas of Experience
Corporate Law
Ms. Alton has advised clients on many aspects of corporate law.
· Counsel to board of directors of public corporation concerning restructuring of the board, amendment of the company's bylaws and various corporate governance issues including change in control and eventual "auction" and sale of the company.
· Responsibilities included handling communications with the stock exchange and media.
· Representation of numerous companies and individual shareholders in shareholder disputes.
· Representation of numerous start-up companies including counseling about choice of entity, preparation of confidentiality, employment, licensing and shareholder agreement, stock option plans, financing alternatives and various employment, shareholder and management issues.
Corporate Finance and Banking
Ms. Alton has extensive experience representing banks and borrowers.
· Representation of national bank in underwritten offerings of letter of credit backed commercial paper and tax-exempt bonds including negotiations with rating agencies.
· Representation of various banks and borrowers in more than 100 secured and unsecured loans and numerous workout transactions.
· Representation of nation's number one combined user of government guaranteed loan programs (Export-Import Bank, USDA and SBA) in documentation and closing of more than 35 loans.
· Representations of venture capital funds in formation and investments in portfolio companies.
· Representation of large Canadian insurance company in secured and unsecured loans to entities throughout the United States.
· Representation of UK subsidiaries of U.S. public company in acquisitions and divestitures.
· Representation of management and insurgent slates in contested elections of directors including representation of management in proxy fight against Carl Icahn.
Energy
Ms. Alton has experience advising clients in a variety of energy-related matters.
· Representation of a company in the sale of over one million acres of oil and gas leasehold interests and related title curative issues.
· Representation of oil and gas exploration and development companies in the private placement of equity investments.
· Advised a mining company in the negotiation of coal, waste coal and ash supply agreements with the developer of an electric power generation plant.
Securities Law
Ms. Alton's experience in Securities Law includes:
· Preparation of annual and quarterly reports, 8-K's and proxy statements for various publicly held companies including consultation with management concerning sensitive disclosure issues.
· Representation of publicly held corporation in SEC investigation.
· Representation of officer of issuer in SEC investigation and criminal prosecution.
· Preparation of disclosure materials for debt and equity offerings by numerous corporations and partnerships including federal and blue sky law compliance.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Ms. Alton has represented public and private companies in many mergers and acquisitions matters.
· Representation of public company in its negotiation, documentation and closing of numerous acquisitions and divestitures.
· Representation of company in its sale of U.S. subsidiary to foreign-owned purchaser including Hart-Scott-Rodino notification.
· Representation of numerous private companies in stock and asset purchases and sales and mergers.
· Representation of companies in freeze-out mergers and reverse splits including related appraisal proceedings.
Professional Affiliations
· Allegheny County Bar Association
· Pennsylvania Independent Oil & Gas Association
· Michael Late Benedum Chapter of the American Association of Professional Landmen
Other Distinctions
· Rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®
News
09/19/2011, Sixty-Eight Schnader Attorneys Rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®