Forest hires search firm, rejects Icahn nominees

Investor Carl Icahn speaks at the Wall Street Journal Deals & Deal Makers conference, held at the New York Stock Exchange(Reuters) – Forest Laboratories Inc said on Monday its board had hired executive search firm Spencer Stuart to find a successor to its 84-year-old chief executive, Howard Solomon, and urged shareholders to reject director nominees put forth by activist investor Carl Icahn. The U.S. drugmaker said its independent directors are leading the search process, which includes the consideration of internal and external candidates. The company said it had a deep management bench, which included David Solomon, who is the son of its long-time CEO and was promoted in November 2010. …

Icahn suing Forest, cites succession plan worries

Investor Carl Icahn speaks at the Wall Street Journal Deals & Deal Makers conference, held at the New York Stock Exchange(Reuters) – Activist investor Carl Icahn, who is seeking representation on the board of Forest Laboratories Inc, said he is suing the U.S. drugmaker to get more information about its succession planning. In a letter to the company's board, Icahn, Forest's second-largest shareholder, expressed concerns about Forest's longtime chief, Howard Solomon, handing over reins to his son, David Solomon, who is the company's senior vice president for corporate development and strategic planning. …