EX-5.2 3 tm2421060d2_ex5-2.htm EXHIBIT 5.2

 

Exhibit 5.2

 

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom llp

  One Manhattan West FIRM/AFFILIATE
  New York, NY 10001 OFFICES
  ----------- -----------
  TEL: (212) 735-3000 BOSTON
  FAX: (212) 735-2000 CHICAGO
  www.skadden.com HOUSTON
  LOS ANGELES
    PALO ALTO
    WASHINGTON, D.C.
    WILMINGTON
    -----------
    BEIJING
    BRUSSELS
    FRANKFURT
    HONG KONG
    LONDON
    MUNICH
    PARIS
    SÃO PAULO
    SEOUL
    SHANGHAI
  August 13, 2024 SINGAPORE
    TOKYO
    TORONTO

 

Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.

822 Bishop Street

Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

 

RE:Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.
Registration Statement on Form S-3

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as special United States counsel to Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., a Hawaii corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed on the date hereof by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). The Registration Statement relates to the issuance and sale by the Company from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated under the Securities Act (the “Rules and Regulations”), of (i) shares of common stock, without par value, of the Company (“Common Stock”), (ii) shares of preferred stock, without par value, of the Company (“Preferred Stock”), which may be issued in one or more series, (iii) depositary receipts (the “Receipts”) representing fractional shares of Preferred Stock, which are called depositary shares (the “Depositary Shares”) and which may be issued pursuant to one or more depositary agreements (each, a “Depositary Agreement”) proposed to be entered into between the Company and one or more bank or trust companies to be named in the applicable Depositary Agreement (each, a “Bank Depositary”), (iv) warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock or shares of Preferred Stock (“Warrants”), which may be issued pursuant to one or more warrant agreements (each, a “Warrant Agreement”) proposed to be entered into by the Company and one or more warrant agents to be named therein, (v) subscription rights to purchase shares of Common Stock or shares of Preferred Stock (“Subscription Rights”), which may be issued under one or more subscription rights certificates (each, a “Subscription Rights Certificate”) and/or pursuant to one or more subscription rights agreements (each, a “Subscription Rights Agreement”) proposed to be entered into by the Company and one or more subscription agents to be named therein, (vi) purchase contracts (“Purchase Contracts”) obligating the holders thereof to purchase from the Company, and the Company to sell to such holders, shares of Common Stock or shares of Preferred Stock at a future date or dates, which may be issued pursuant to one or more purchase contract agreements (each, a “Purchase Contract Agreement”) proposed to be entered into by the Company and one or more purchase contract agents to be named therein, (vii) purchase units of the Company (“Purchase Units”), consisting of a stock purchase contract, preferred securities or U.S. Treasury securities, or any combination of the foregoing, which may be issued pursuant to one or more agreements (each, a “Purchase Unit Agreement”) proposed to be entered into by the Company and one or more purchase unit agents to be named therein, and (viii) such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares as may be issued upon conversion, exchange or exercise, as applicable, of any Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Warrants or Subscription Rights or settlement of any Purchase Contracts or Purchase Units, including such shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock as may be issued pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments determined at the time of the offering (collectively, “Indeterminate Securities”). The Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Warrants, Subscription Rights, Purchase Contracts, Purchase Units and Indeterminate Securities, offered pursuant to the Registration Statement are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.”

 

 

 

 

Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.

August 13, 2024

Page 2

 

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

 

In rendering the opinions stated herein, we have examined and relied upon the Registration Statement.

 

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

 

 

 

 

Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.

August 13, 2024

Page 3

 

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 others and of public officials.

 

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 “Opined-on Law”). The Securities may be issued from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis, and this opinion is limited to the laws, including the rules and regulations, as in effect on the date hereof, which laws are subject to change with possible retroactive effect.

 

As used herein, “Transaction Documents” means the Depositary Agreements, the Warrant Agreements, the Subscription Rights Agreements, the Purchase Contract Agreements, the Purchase Unit Agreements and any applicable underwriting or purchase agreement.

 

The opinions stated in paragraphs 1 through 5 below presume that all of the following (collectively, the “general conditions”) shall have occurred prior to the issuance of the Securities referred to therein: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement or term sheet with respect to such Securities has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations; (iii) the applicable Transaction Documents shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto, including, if such Securities are to be sold or otherwise distributed pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement or purchase agreement with respect thereto; (iv) the Board of Directors of the Company, including any duly authorized committee thereof, shall have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and sale of such Securities and related matters and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all related action as directed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Company; and (v) the terms of the applicable Transaction Documents and the issuance and sale of such Securities have been duly established in conformity with the articles of incorporation and the bylaws of the Company so as not to violate any applicable law, the articles of incorporation of the Company or the bylaws of the Company or its properties, or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company or its properties, and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company or its properties.

 

 

 

 

Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.

August 13, 2024

Page 4

 

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications and assumptions stated herein, we are of the opinion that:

 

1.            With respect to any Depositary Shares offered by the Company, including any Indeterminate Securities constituting Depositary Shares (the “Offered Depositary Shares”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Preferred Stock relating to such Offered Depositary Shares has been duly authorized for issuance by the Company, (c) the Offered Depositary Shares have been duly executed, delivered, countersigned, issued and sold in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Depositary Agreement, and the Offered Depositary Shares have been delivered to the Bank Depositary for deposit in accordance with the applicable Depositary Agreement and (d) the Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares have been duly issued against deposit of the related shares of Preferred Stock with the Bank Depositary in accordance with the applicable Depositary Agreement, the Offered Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipts will entitle the registered holder thereof to the rights specified in such Receipt and in the Depositary Agreement.

 

2.            With respect to any Warrants offered by the Company (the “Offered Warrants”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Common Stock or Preferred Stock for which the Offered Warrants are exercisable have been duly authorized for issuance by the Company and (c) certificates evidencing the Offered Warrants have been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Warrant Agreement, the Offered Warrants, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Document upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.

 

3.            With respect to any Subscription Rights offered by the Company (the “Offered Subscription Rights”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Common Stock or Preferred Stock relating to such Offered Subscription Rights have been duly authorized for issuance by the Company and (c) the Subscription Rights Certificates have been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Subscription Rights Agreement, the Offered Subscription Rights, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Document upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.

 

 

 

 

Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.

August 13, 2024

Page 5

 

4.            With respect to any Purchase Contracts offered by the Company (the “Offered Purchase Contracts”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Common Stock or Preferred Stock relating to such Offered Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized for issuance by the Company and (c) the Offered Purchase Contracts have been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Purchase Contract Agreement, the Offered Purchase Contracts, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Document upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.

 

5.            With respect to any Purchase Units offered by the Company (the “Offered Purchase Units”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the stock purchase contract, preferred securities or U.S. Treasury securities, or any combination of the foregoing, included in such Offered Purchase Units have been duly authorized for issuance or sale by the Company, as applicable, and (c) certificates evidencing the Offered Purchase Units have been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Purchase Unit Agreement, the Offered Purchase Units, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Document upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.

 

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 any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to any party to any of the Transaction Documents 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;

 

 

 

 

Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.

August 13, 2024

Page 6

 

(c)           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;

 

(d)          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;

 

(e)          we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision of any Transaction Document to the extent that such provision purports to bind the Company to the exclusive jurisdiction of any particular court or courts;

 

(f)           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;

 

(g)          we have assumed that any agent of service will have accepted appointment as agent to receive service of process and call to your attention that we do not express any opinion if and to the extent such agent shall resign such appointment. Further, we do not express any opinion with respect to the irrevocability of the designation of such agent to receive service of process;

 

(h)          we have assumed that the laws of the State of New York will be chosen to govern any Transaction Document and that such choice is and will be a valid and legal provision, and that the Transaction Documents will contain all provisions required under the laws of the State of Hawaii in respect of contracts for the sale of securities issued by a Hawaii corporation;

 

 

 

 

Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.

August 13, 2024

Page 7

 

(i)            the shares of Preferred Stock that will be deposited with the Bank Depositary in connection with the issuance of the Offered Depositary Shares will have been duly authorized, validly issued and will be fully paid and nonassessable and that any preemptive rights with respect to such Preferred Stock will have been validly waived or exercised, (ii) such Preferred Stock will be free and clear of any pledge, lien, security interest, charge, claim, equity or encumbrance of any kind or any restriction on transfer or voting, and (iii) certificates for the Preferred Stock will have been duly executed and delivered and will have been properly deposited with the Bank Depositary pursuant to the terms of the Depositary Agreement;

 

(j)            our opinion addresses only the Offered Depositary Shares and the Receipt issued pursuant to the Deposit Agreement and we express no opinion with respect to the Preferred Stock deposited with the Bank Depositary; and

 

(k)           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.

 

In addition, in rendering the foregoing opinions we have assumed that:

 

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

 

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

 

(c)           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 and sale of the applicable Securities: (i) conflicts or will conflict with the articles of incorporation or the bylaws of the Company, (ii) constitutes 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, (iii) contravenes or will contravene any order or decree of any governmental authority to which the Company or its property is subject, or (iv) violates 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 (iv) with respect to the Opined-on Law); and

 

 

 

 

Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.

August 13, 2024

Page 8

 

(d)          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 and sale of the applicable Securities, requires 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

 

LKB