Epiq Systems Receives Early Termination of HSR Waiting Period for Acquisition by OMERS Private Equity and Harvest Partners

KANSAS CITY, Kan., Aug. 24, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Epiq Systems, Inc. (“Epiq”) (NASDAQ: EPIQ), a leading global provider of integrated technology and services for the legal profession, today announced that it has received notice from the Federal Trade Commission that early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 was granted in connection with its proposed acquisition by OMERS Private Equity, the private equity arm of the OMERS pension plan, and funds managed by Harvest Partners, LP. 

The transaction remains subject to other customary closing conditions, including approval by Epiq’s shareholders. Subject to satisfaction of these other closing conditions, the merger is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2016. Upon completion of the transaction, Epiq will become a privately-held company and will be combined with DTI, a leading global legal process outsourcing (LPO) company which is currently majority owned by OMERS and managed by OMERS Private Equity.

About EpiqEpiq (NASDAQ: EPIQ) is a leading global provider of integrated technology and services for the legal profession, including eDiscovery, managed services, bankruptcy, class action and mass tort administration, federal regulatory actions and data breach responses. Our innovative solutions are designed to streamline the administration of litigation, investigations, financial transactions, regulatory compliance and other legal matters. Epiq’s subject-matter experts bring clarity to complexity, create efficiency through expertise and deliver confidence to our clients around the world. For more information, visit us at www.epiqsystems.com.         

About OMERS Private Markets (“OPM”) and OMERS Private EquityOMERS Private Markets (OMERS Private Equity and Borealis Infrastructure) invests globally in private equity and infrastructure assets on behalf of the OMERS pension plan. OMERS Private Equity's investment strategy involves active ownership of a portfolio of industry-leading businesses across North America and Europe. Through partnership with world class management teams and delivering on growth strategies, OMERS Private Equity's investments are aimed at generating strong returns to help deliver secure and sustainable pensions to OMERS members. Recent OMERS Private Equity transactions include the acquisition of Forefront Dermatology, Kenan Advantage Group, and ERM Partners and the successful sale of Marketwired. OPM has offices in Toronto, New York, London and Sydney. OMERS is one of Canada's largest pension funds with net assets of CAD$77 billion. For more information, please visit www.omerspe.com or www.omersprivatemarkets.com.

About Harvest PartnersFounded in 1981, Harvest Partners, LP, (www.harvestpartners.com) is a leading New York-based private equity investment firm with over $5.0 billion in cumulative capital commitments that pursues management buyouts and recapitalizations of middle market companies in North America. Harvest focuses on acquiring profitable companies in the business services and consumer, healthcare services, industrial services, and manufacturing and distribution sectors. For more information, please visit www.HarvestPartners.com.

About DTIDTI is a leading legal process outsourcing (LPO) company serving law firms, corporations and government entities around the globe. DTI helps its clients accelerate the changes they must make to remain competitive. DTI is a leader in the management of information and processes. The company manages risks and minimizes costs associated with complex litigation and compliance functions. DTI is among the most experienced providers of eDiscovery, litigation support and court reporting. To learn more about DTI’s global footprint, flexibility, capacity and world-class project management, visit www.DTIGlobal.com. 

Forward-Looking StatementsStatements about the expected timing, completion and effects of the proposed transaction and all other statements in this press release, other than historical facts, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and any such forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the following cautionary statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and are based on current expectations and involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. The parties may not be able to complete the proposed transaction on the terms described above or other acceptable terms or at all because of a number of factors, including (1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement, (2) the failure to obtain shareholder approval or the failure to satisfy the closing conditions, (3) the failure to obtain the necessary financing arrangements set forth in the debt and equity commitment letters delivered pursuant to the merger agreement, (4) risks related to disruption of the attention of Epiq’s and DTI’s managements from their respective ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction, and (5) the effect of the announcement of the proposed transaction on the ability of each party to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with its customers, suppliers, operating results and business generally.

Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. In addition, the forward-looking statements represent the parties’ views as of the date on which such statements were made. The parties anticipate that subsequent events and developments may cause their views to change. However, although the parties may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, they specifically disclaim any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the parties’ views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.

Additional Information and Where to Find ItIn connection with the proposed transaction, Epiq will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and furnish to Epiq’s shareholders a proxy statement. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, EPIQ’S SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED MERGER OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE PROXY STATEMENT (IF ANY) BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND THE PARTIES TO THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and shareholders may obtain a free copy of documents filed by Epiq with the SEC at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and shareholders may obtain a free copy of Epiq’s filings with the SEC from Epiq’s website at http://epiqsystems.com/investors or by directing a request to: Epiq Systems, Inc., 501 Kansas Avenue, Kansas City 66105-1300, Attn: Investor Relations, (913) 621-9500.

Epiq and certain of its directors, executive officers, and certain other members of management and employees of Epiq may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from shareholders of Epiq in favor of the proposed merger. Information about directors and executive officers of Epiq is set forth in the proxy statement for Epiq’s 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, as filed with the SEC on Form DEF 14A on June 23, 2016. Additional information regarding the interests of these individuals and other persons who may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation will be included in the proxy statement with respect to the merger that Epiq will file with the SEC and furnish to Epiq’s shareholders.

For Epiq:

Investor Contacts
Kelly Bailey
Epiq Systems
+1 (913) 621-9500
[email protected]

Chris Eddy
Catalyst Global
+1 (212) 924-9800
[email protected]

Media Contacts
Michael Freitag / Mahmoud Siddig
Joele Frank, Wilkinson, Brimmer Katcher
+1 (212) 355-4449

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