EX-5.2 3 ea164424ex5-2_waldencastplc.htm OPINION OF SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP AS TO THE VALIDITY OF THE REGISTRANT'S WARRANTS

Exhibit 5.2

 

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom llp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 24, 2022

One Manhattan West

New York, NY 10001

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FAX: (212) 735-2000

www.skadden.com

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Waldencast plc
10 Bank Street, Suite 350
White Plains, NY 10606

 

RE:Waldencast plc

Registration Statement on Form F-1

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as special United States counsel to Waldencast plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Jersey (the “Company”), in connection with (a) the issuance of up to 29,533,282 Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Class A Ordinary Shares”) upon the exercise of warrants (the “Warrants”) issued pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, dated March 15, 2021 (the “Warrant Agreement”), by and between the Company (f/k/a Waldencast Acquisition Corp.) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent (such shares, the “Warrant Shares”), and (b) the resale by the selling shareholders (the “Selling Shareholders”) of up to 18,033,332 Warrants held by the Selling Shareholders (the “Secondary Warrants”). The Warrant Shares and the Secondary Warrants are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.”

 

This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”).

 

In rendering the opinions stated herein, we have examined and relied upon the following:

 

(a) the registration statement on Form F-1 of the Company relating to the Securities, filed on the date hereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act allowing for delayed offerings pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations (the “Rules and Regulations”) (such registration statement being hereinafter referred to as the “Registration Statement”);

 

 

Waldencast plc

August 24, 2022

Page 2

 

(b) the form of Warrant Certificate (included in the Warrant Agreement) (the “Warrant Certificate”); and

 

(c) an executed copy of the Warrant Agreement.

 

We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Company and the Selling Shareholders and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and the Selling Shareholders and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions stated below.

 

In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, including electronic signatures, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified or photocopied copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. As to any facts relevant to the opinions stated herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and the Selling Shareholders and others and of public officials, including the factual representations and warranties set forth in the Warrant Agreement.

 

As used herein, “Transaction Documents” means the Warrant Certificate and the Warrant Agreement.

 

We do not express any opinion with respect to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of New York (the foregoing being referred to as “Opined-on Law”).

 

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications and assumptions stated herein, we are of the opinion that the Secondary Warrants constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms under the laws of the State of New York.

 

 

Waldencast plc

August 24, 2022

Page 3

 

The opinions stated herein are subject to the following qualifications:

 

(a) we do not express any opinion with respect to the effect on the opinions stated herein of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer, preference and other similar laws or governmental orders affecting creditors’ rights generally, and the opinions stated herein are limited by such laws and orders and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law);

 

(b) we do not express any opinion with respect to the effect on the opinions stated herein of (i) the compliance or non-compliance of any party to any of the Transaction Documents with any laws, rules or regulations applicable to such party or (ii) the legal status or legal capacity of any party to any of the Transaction Documents;

 

(c) we do not express any opinion with respect to any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to any party to any Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated thereby solely because such law, rule or regulation is part of a regulatory regime applicable to any such party or any of its affiliates as a result of the specific assets or business operations of such party or such affiliates;

 

(d) except to the extent expressly stated in the opinions contained herein, we have assumed that each of the Transaction Documents constitutes the valid and binding obligation of each party to such Transaction Document, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms;

 

(e) the opinions stated herein are limited to the agreements and documents specifically identified in the opinions contained herein without regard to any agreement or other document referenced in such agreement or document (including agreements or other documents incorporated by reference or attached or annexed thereto);

 

(f) we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision contained in any Transaction Document relating to any indemnification, contribution, non-reliance, exculpation, release, limitation or exclusion of remedies, waiver or other provisions having similar effect that may be contrary to public policy or violative of federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations, or to the extent any such provision purports to, or has the effect of, waiving or altering any statute of limitations;

 

(g) we call to your attention that irrespective of the agreement of the parties to any Transaction Document, a court may decline to hear a case on grounds of forum non conveniens or other doctrine limiting the availability of such court as a forum for resolution of disputes; in addition, we call to your attention that we do not express any opinion with respect to the subject matter jurisdiction of the federal courts of the United States of America in any action arising out of or relating to any Transaction Document;

 

 

Waldencast plc

August 24, 2022

Page 4

 

(h) to the extent that any opinion relates to the enforceability of the choice of New York law and choice of New York forum provisions contained in any Transaction Document, the opinions stated herein are subject to the qualification that such enforceability may be subject to, in each case, (i) the exceptions and limitations in New York General Obligations Law sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 and (ii) principles of comity and constitutionality;

 

(i) we call to your attention that the opinions stated herein are subject to possible judicial action giving effect to governmental actions or laws of jurisdictions other than those with respect to which we express our opinion.

 

In addition, in rendering the foregoing opinions we have assumed that, at all applicable times:

 

(a) the Company (i) was duly incorporated and validly existing and in good standing under the Jersey Companies Law, (ii) had requisite legal status and legal capacity under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and (iii) has complied and will comply with all aspects of the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation in connection with the transactions contemplated by, and the performance of its obligations under, the Transaction Documents;

 

(b) the Company had the corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform all its obligations under the Transaction Documents;

 

(c) each of the Transaction Documents had been duly authorized, executed and delivered by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company;

 

(d) neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents nor the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder: (i) conflicted or will conflict with the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association or other comparable organizational documents of the Company, (ii) constituted or will constitute a violation of, or a default under, any lease, indenture, agreement, or other instrument to which the Company or its property is subject (except that we do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (ii) with respect to those agreements or instruments expressed to be governed by the laws of the State of New York which are listed in Part II of the Registration Statement), (iii) contravened or will contravene any order or decree of any governmental authority to which the Company or its property is subject, or (iv) violated or will violate any law, rule or regulation to which the Company or its property is subject (except that we do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (v) with respect to the Opined-on Law); and

 

 

Waldencast plc

August 24, 2022

Page 5

 

(e) neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents nor the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, including the issuance or sale, as applicable, of the Securities, required or will require the consent, approval, licensing or authorization of, or any filing, recording or registration with, any governmental authority under any law, rule or regulation of any jurisdiction.

 

We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement. We also hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable laws.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  /s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP