WPZ INVESTORS ALERT: Lieff Cabraser Announces Securities Class Action Against Williams Partners, L.P.
The law firm of Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP announces that class
action litigation has been brought on behalf of investors who purchased
or otherwise acquired the publicly traded securities of Williams
Partners, L.P. (“WPZ” or the “Company”) (NYSE: WPZ) between May 13,
2015 and June 19, 2015, inclusive (the “Class Period”).
If you purchased or acquired WPZ publicly traded securities during the
Class Period, you may move the Court for appointment as lead plaintiff
by no later than May 6, 2016. A lead plaintiff is a representative party
who acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.
Your share of any recovery in the action will not be affected by your
decision of whether to seek appointment as lead plaintiff. You may
retain Lieff Cabraser, or other attorneys, as your counsel in the action.
WPZ
investors who wish to learn more about the litigation and how to seek
appointment as lead plaintiff should click here or contact Sharon M.
Lee of Lieff Cabraser toll-free at 1-800-541-7358.
Background on the WPZ Securities Class Litigation
WPZ is a large-cap master limited partnership providing infrastructure
for North American natural gas and natural gas products.
The action alleges that, prior to and after Williams Companies, Inc.
(“WMB”), announced a proposed merger with WPZ, WMB had and continued to
have ongoing discussions to be acquired by a third entity, Energy
Transfer Equity (“ETE”) and that WMB’s failure to disclose these
discussions constitutes material misrepresentations to purchasers of WPZ
securities.
WMB, a prominent energy infrastructure company headquartered in Tulsa,
Oklahoma, owns approximately 60% of WPZ’s common units. On May 13, 2015,
WMB and WPZ issued a joint press release announcing that an agreement
had been executed to merge the two entities (the “WPZ/WMB Merger”) under
which WMB would acquire all publicly-held WPZ common units at a 1.115
ratio of WMB common share per WPZ common unit. The price of WPZ common
units rose 22.7% that day.
However, allegedly WMB previously had been and was still in discussions
with ETE, a Dallas-based company specializing in the storage and
transportation of natural gas, and its representatives concerning ETE’s
proposed acquisition of WMB. WMB allegedly knew that ETE was not
interested in acquiring WPZ’s common units because ETE’s strategy called
for master limited partnerships (like WPZ) to be separately traded.
Further, WMB allegedly knew that WMB shareholders would not approve the
WPZ/WMB Merger if an offer from ETE were available as an alternative. On
May 19, 2015, ETE offered to acquire WMB at $64 per WMB common share.
The offer was conditioned on WMB terminating the WPZ/WMB Merger
agreement. WMB examined the offer but did not respond formally.
On June 22, 2015, prior to the opening of trading, ETE publicly
announced its offer, the requirement that WMB terminate the WPZ/WMB
Merger agreement and details of ETE’s pursuit of WMB, including that
discussions had been ongoing for some time. That day, the price of WPZ
common units fell 7.6% and the price of WMB common shares rose 26%.
About Lieff Cabraser
Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, with offices in San Francisco,
New York, Nashville, and Seattle, is a nationally recognized law firm
committed to advancing the rights of investors and promoting corporate
responsibility.
The National Law Journal has recognized Lieff Cabraser as one of
the nation’s top plaintiffs’ law firms for thirteen years. In compiling
the list, the National Law Journal examines recent verdicts and
settlements and looked for firms “representing the best qualities of the
plaintiffs’ bar and that demonstrated unusual dedication and
creativity.” Best Lawyers and U.S. News have named Lieff
Cabraser as a “Law Firm of the Year” for each year the publications have
given this award to law firms.
For more information about Lieff Cabraser and the firm’s representation
of investors, please visit http://www.lieffcabraser.com.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some
jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
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