Minority shareholders of target companies are causing private equity firms grief in their attempts to take control. Financial News reports that p.e. firms are running up against resistance to acquire their targets from minority shareholders who refuse to sell. But while failure to take a listed company private presents problems for p.e., it also may present potential benefits. On the down side, if a company remains public, p.e. firms are confronted with all the trappings that go with it. “Many of the actions a private equity firm is likely to take, particularly those concerning operational restructuring, board changes and management incentives, will attract unwanted scrutiny” Jeremy Dickens, a p.e. partner at the law firm Weil Gotshal & Manges told FN. Then there are the reporting obligations and the grappling with minority shareholders that may resist changes proposed by the private equity investor. On the other hand, p.e. firms may find an ally in the minority shareholder, who will help encourage reluctant boards and investors to accept a deal. In addition, by remaining listed, the company will remain high-profile enough to attract buyers once a private equity firm decides to exit.