Summary
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) filed an 8-K on July 19, 2012, to report on a significant development in shareholder derivative lawsuits. The United States District Court for the District of New Jersey has preliminarily approved a proposed settlement in three consolidated derivative actions: In re Johnson & Johnson Derivative Litigation, In re Johnson & Johnson FCPA Derivative Litigation, and Copeland v. Prince et al. This preliminary approval is a crucial step towards resolving these legal matters that have been pending against the company and its individual defendants. The company has scheduled a final approval hearing for September 28, 2012, where the court will decide whether to grant final approval to the settlement. Investors should note the deadlines for submitting objections, which is September 14, 2012. Further detailed information regarding the settlement terms and the upcoming hearing is available in the attached Notice of Proposed Settlement of Derivative Actions (Exhibit 99.1) and the Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement (Exhibit 99.2), both of which are accessible on JNJ's website.
Key Highlights
- 1Johnson & Johnson has received preliminary court approval for a proposed settlement in consolidated shareholder derivative lawsuits.
- 2The lawsuits involve allegations addressed in cases titled 'In re Johnson & Johnson Derivative Litigation,' 'In re Johnson & Johnson FCPA Derivative Litigation,' and 'Copeland v. Prince et al.'
- 3A final settlement approval hearing is scheduled for September 28, 2012, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
- 4Shareholders wishing to object to the settlement must submit written objections by September 14, 2012.
- 5Detailed terms of the settlement and hearing information are available in attached exhibits (99.1 and 99.2) and on JNJ's corporate website.