Legg Mason (LMHA) DEFM14AProxy related to merger

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.    )

Filed by the Registrant    ☒

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant    ☐

Check the appropriate box:

LEGG MASON, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

April 16, 2020

Dear Fellow Stockholder:

On behalf of the board of directors, I cordially invite you to attend a special meeting of stockholders of Legg Mason, Inc., a Maryland corporation (which we refer to as “Legg Mason” or the “Company”). The special meeting will be held via live webcast on May 15, 2020, at 10 a.m., Eastern Time. The special meeting can be accessed by visiting https://web.lumiagm.com/274394446, where you will be able to listen to the meeting live. You may vote online during the meeting by following the instructions on your proxy card for internet voting. Please note that you will only be able to access the special meeting by means of remote communication. We have chosen to hold a virtual rather than an in-person meeting due to the emerging public health impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The purpose of the meeting is to consider and vote on proposals relating to the proposed acquisition of Legg Mason by Franklin Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (which we refer to as “Franklin”), for $50.00 per share in cash, without interest. Franklin is a holding company that, together with its subsidiaries, operates as Franklin Templeton^®. Regardless of whether you plan to attend the virtual special meeting, we encourage you to vote your shares by mail, by telephone or through the internet following the procedures outlined below. To facilitate timely receipt of your proxy despite any potential systems disruption due toCOVID-19, we encourage you to vote via the internet or telephone following the instructions on the enclosed proxy card promptly.

On February 17, 2020, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (which, as amended or supplemented from time to time, we refer to as the “merger agreement”) with Franklin and Alpha Sub, Inc., a Maryland corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin (which we refer to as “Merger Sub”), providing for, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of specified conditions, the acquisition of the Company by Franklin at a price of $50.00 per share in cash, without interest. Subject to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company (which we refer to as the “merger”), with the Company surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin. At the special meeting, the Company will ask you to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

At the effective time of the merger (which we refer to as the “Effective Time”), each share of Legg Mason common stock, par value $0.10 per share (which we refer to as the “Shares” and each, a “Share”), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Shares directly owned and held by Franklin or Merger Sub) will be cancelled, retired and automatically converted into the right to receive $50.00 per share in cash, subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes and without interest.

The proxy statement accompanying this letter provides you with more specific information concerning the special meeting, the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. We encourage you to carefully read the accompanying proxy statement and the copy of the merger agreement attached asAnnex A to the proxy statement.

The board of directors of the Company (which we refer to as the “Board”) carefully reviewed and considered the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. The Board also considered the unanimous recommendation of the special committee comprised solely of independent, disinterested directors (which we refer to as the “SpecialCommittee”) and such other matters as it considered necessary or appropriate. By a unanimous vote, the Board (i) declared that the merger, the merger agreement and the other transactions contemplated thereby are advisable and fair to, and in the best

interests of, the Company and its stockholders, (ii) approved the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby, (iii) directed that the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement be submitted to a vote at a meeting of the Company’s stockholders and (iv) recommended that the Company’s stockholders vote for the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.Accordingly, based, in part, on the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee, the Board unanimously recommends you vote“FOR” the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

Your vote is important.Whether or not you plan to attend the virtual special meeting and regardless of the number of Shares you own, your careful consideration of, and vote on, the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement is important, and we encourage you to vote promptly. The merger cannot be completed unless the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are approved by stockholders holding a majority of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote on such matter.The failure to vote will have the same effect as a vote“AGAINST” the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

After reading the accompanying proxy statement, please make sure to vote your Shares promptly (1) by telephone by following the instructions on the enclosed proxy card, (2) through the internet by following the instructions on the enclosed proxy card or (3) by completing, signing and dating the enclosed proxy card and returning it in the prepaid envelope provided. Instructions regarding all three methods of voting are provided on the proxy card. If you hold Shares through an account with a bank, broker, trust or other nominee, please follow the instructions you receive from it to vote your Shares.To facilitate timely receipt of your proxy despite any potential systems disruption due toCOVID-19, we encourage you to vote via the internet or telephone (if such voting methods are available to you) by following the instructions on the enclosed proxy card promptly.

Your support of and interest in Legg Mason is sincerely appreciated.

Joseph A. Sullivan

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Neither the United States Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities regulatory agency has approved or disapproved the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, passed upon the merits or fairness of the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of the disclosure in this document. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The accompanying proxy statement is dated April 16, 2020 and is first being mailed to Legg Mason stockholders on or about April 16, 2020.

LEGG MASON, INC.

100 International Drive

Baltimore, MD 21202

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held on May 15, 2020

To the Stockholders of Legg Mason, Inc.:

A special meeting of stockholders of Legg Mason, Inc., a Maryland corporation (which we refer to as the “Company”), will be held via live webcast on May 15, 2020, at 10 a.m., Eastern Time. The special meeting can be accessed by visiting https://web.lumiagm.com/274394446, where you will be able to listen to the meeting live. You may vote online during the meeting by following the instructions on your proxy card for internet voting. We encourage you to allow ample time for online check-in, which will open at 9.55 a.m., Eastern Time. Please note that you will only be able to attend the special meeting by means of remote communication. We have chosen to hold a virtual rather than an in-person meeting due to the emerging public health impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). We are holding the special meeting for the following purposes:

Stockholders of record at the close of business on April 14, 2020 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

For more information concerning the special meeting, the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, please review the accompanying proxy statement and the copy of the merger agreement attached asAnnex A to the proxy statement.

The board of directors of the Company (which we refer to as the “Board”) carefully reviewed and considered the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. The Board also considered the unanimous recommendation of the special committee comprised solely of independent, disinterested directors (which we refer to as the “SpecialCommittee”) and such other matters as it considered necessary or appropriate. By a unanimous vote, the Board (i) declared that the merger, the merger agreement and the other transactions contemplated thereby are advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and its stockholders, (ii) approved the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby, (iii) directed that the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement be submitted to a vote at a meeting of the Company’s stockholders and (iv) recommended that the Company’s stockholders vote for the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

Based in part on the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee, the Board unanimously recommends that at the special meeting you vote“FOR” the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement,“FOR” the approval, by anon-binding advisory vote, of the compensation that may be paid or become payable to the Company’s named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the merger and“FOR” the proposal to adjourn the special meeting if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies.

To assure that your Shares are represented at the special meeting, regardless of whether you plan to attend the virtual special meeting, please fill in your vote, sign and mail the enclosed proxy card as soon as possible. You may vote by telephone or through the internet. Alternatively, we have enclosed a return envelope, which requires no postage when mailed in the United States. Instructions regarding each of the methods of voting are provided on the enclosed proxy card.To facilitate timely receipt of your proxy despite any potential systems disruption due toCOVID-19, we encourage you to vote via the internet or telephone (if such voting methods are available to you) by following the instructions on the enclosed proxy card promptly. If you are voting by telephone or through the internet, then your voting instructions must be received by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on the day before the special meeting. Your proxy is being solicited by the Board.

If you have any questions about the merger or how to submit your proxy, or if you need additional copies of this proxy statement or the enclosed proxy card or voting instructions, please call our proxy solicitor, Innisfree M&A Incorporated. Shareholders may call toll-free at (877)456-3442. Banks and brokers may call collect at (212)750-5833.

If you fail to return your proxy, vote by telephone or through the internet or attend the special meeting via the virtual meeting website and vote by following the internet voting instructions on your proxy card, your Shares will not be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the special meeting and will have the same effect as a vote“AGAINST” the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

Thomas C. Merchant

General Counsel and Secretary

April 16, 2020

Please Vote—Your Vote is Important

TABLE OF CONTENTS

i

ii

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING AND THE MERGER

The following questions and answers are intended to briefly address some commonly asked questions regarding the special meeting of stockholders and the merger. These questions and answers do not address all questions that may be important to you as a Legg Mason stockholder. Please refer to the more detailed information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement, the Annexes to this proxy statement and the documents referred to in this proxy statement.

13

Pursuant to Legg Mason’s bylaws and Maryland law, only the matters set forth in the notice of the special meeting may properly be brought before the special meeting.

The approval of thenon-binding compensation advisory proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the special meeting or by proxy at the special meeting on such matter. Although the Board intends to consider the vote resulting from this proposal, the vote is advisory only and, therefore, is not binding on Legg Mason or Franklin or any of their respective subsidiaries, and, if the merger is approved by Legg Mason stockholders and completed, the compensation that is based on or otherwise relates to the merger will be payable to our named executive officers even if this proposal is not approved. Abstentions and failures to vote will have no effect on approval of the compensation proposal.

The approval of the proposal to adjourn the special meeting if necessary or appropriate requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the special meeting or by proxy at the special meeting on such matter. In addition, our bylaws permit the chair of the special meeting, acting in his or her own discretion and without any action by our stockholders, to adjourn the special meeting to a later date and time and at a place announced at the special meeting. Abstentions and failures to vote will have no effect on approval of the adjournment proposal.

14

For additional information regarding the Special Committee’s recommendation to the Board, please see the sections entitled “The Merger—Background of the Merger” beginning on page 31 and “The Merger—Recommendation of the Special Committee,” beginning on page 45.

For a discussion of the factors that the Special Committee and the Board considered in determining to recommend the approval of the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, please see the section entitled “The Merger—Reasons for Recommending the Approval of the Merger and the Other Transactions Contemplated by the Merger Agreement,” beginning on page 46.

In addition, in considering the recommendation of the Board with respect to the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, you should be aware that some of our directors and executive officers have interests that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of Legg Mason stockholders generally. See the section entitled “The Merger—Interests of Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger,” beginning on page 65.

All Shares held by stockholders that attend the special meeting via the virtual meeting website, or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the special meeting, regardless of how such Shares are voted or whether such stockholders have indicated on their proxy that they are abstaining from voting, will be counted in determining the presence of a quorum. In the absence of a quorum, the special meeting may be adjourned.

15

To facilitate timely receipt of your proxy despite any potential systems disruption due toCOVID-19, we encourage you to vote via the internet or telephone following the instructions on the enclosed proxy card promptly. If you are submitting your proxy by telephone or through the internet, your voting instructions must be received by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on the day before the special meeting.

Submitting your proxy by mail, by telephone or through the internet will not prevent you from casting your vote at the special meeting. You are encouraged to submit a proxy by mail, by telephone or through the internet even if you plan to attend the special meeting via the virtual meeting website to ensure that your Shares are represented at the special meeting.

If you return your signed proxy card, but do not mark the boxes showing how you wish to vote, your Shares will be voted “FOR” the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, “FOR” the approval of thenon-binding compensation advisory proposal and “FOR” the approval of the proposal to adjourn the special meeting if necessary or appropriate.

16

If you have instructed a bank, broker, trust or other nominee to vote your Shares, you must follow the instructions received from your bank, broker, trust or other nominee to change your vote.

All properly submitted proxies received by us before the special meeting that are not revoked or changed prior to being exercised at the special meeting will be voted at the special meeting in accordance with the instructions indicated on the proxies or, if no instructions were provided, “FOR” each of the proposals.

17

18

Innisfree M&A Incorporated (“Innisfree”)

501 Madison Avenue, 20th floor

New York, New York 10022

Stockholders may call toll free: (877)456-3442

Banks and Brokers may call collect: (212)750-5833

If your Shares are held for you by a bank, broker, trust or other nominee, you should also call your bank, broker, trust or other nominee for additional information.

19

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain information in this proxy statement constitutes “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “targets” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs, such as “will,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “would,” “aims,” “intends,” or “projects.” However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. We caution that forward-looking statements are qualified by the existence of certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors, some of which are listed below, that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from any future results or outcomes expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important transaction-related and other risk factors that may cause such differences include:

Other important factors that may affect our business or the combined business’ future operating results, include, but are not limited to:

20

The foregoing list of factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Legg Mason can give no assurance that the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements contained herein will be attained. The statements made in this proxy statement are current as of the date of this proxy statement only, and Legg Mason undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or any other information contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date of this proxy statement.

21

PARTIES TO THE MERGER

Legg Mason

Legg Mason is a global asset management firm that operates through nine (9) independent asset management subsidiaries. Acting through our asset management subsidiaries, each of which generally markets its products and services under its own brand name, we provide investment management and related products and services to institutional and individual clients, company-sponsored mutual funds and other investment vehicles. We offer these products and services directly and through various financial intermediaries. Legg Mason’s principal executive offices are located at 100 International Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, and our telephone number is (410)539-0000.

Legg Mason was incorporated in Maryland in 1981 to serve as a holding company for its various subsidiaries. The predecessor companies to Legg Mason trace back to Legg & Co., a Maryland-based broker-dealer formed in 1899. Our subsequent growth occurred primarily through internal expansion and the acquisition of asset management and broker-dealer firms. In December 2005, Legg Mason completed a transaction in which it sold its primary broker-dealer businesses to concentrate on the asset management industry. The Shares are listed on the NYSE and trade under the symbol “LM.”

Our website address iswww.leggmason.com.The information provided on our website is not part of this proxy statement and is not incorporated by reference in this proxy statement by this or any other reference to our website in this proxy statement.

Additional information about Legg Mason is contained in our public filings, which are incorporated by reference in this proxy statement. See the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information,” beginning on page 106, for more information.

Franklin

Franklin is a holding company that, together with its subsidiaries, operates as Franklin Templeton^®. Franklin offers its services and products under its various distinct brand names, including, but not limited to, Franklin^®, Templeton^®, Balanced Equity Management^®, Benefit Street Partners^®, Darby^®, Edinburgh Partners^™, Fiduciary Trust^™, Franklin Bissett^®, Franklin Mutual Series^®, K2^® and LibertyShares^®. Franklin is a global investment management organization that provides investment management and related services to retail, institutional andhigh-net-worth investors in jurisdictions worldwide through its investment products. Franklin offers active, passive and smart beta strategies and has expertise across all asset classes, including equity, fixed income, alternatives and custom multi-asset solutions. In addition to investment management, Franklin’s services include fund administration, sales and distribution, and stockholder servicing. Franklin offers a broad product mix of equity, multi-asset/balanced, fixed income and cash management investment objectives and solutions that meet a variety of investment goals and needs for investors. Franklin also providessub-advisory services to certain investment products sponsored by other companies that may be sold to investors under the brand names of those other companies or on aco-branded basis. Franklin’s principal executive offices are located at One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, California 94403, and its telephone number is (650)312-2000.

Merger Sub

Franklin formed Merger Sub on February 14, 2020, solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. Merger Sub has not conducted any activities on or prior to the date of this proxy statement, except for activities incidental to its formation and activities undertaken in connection with Franklin’s acquisition of Legg Mason. Upon completion of the merger, Merger Sub will merge with and into Legg Mason, and the separate existence of Merger Sub will cease. Merger Sub’s principal executive offices are located at One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, California 94403, and its telephone number is (650)312-2000.

22

THE SPECIAL MEETING

We are furnishing this proxy statement as part of the solicitation of proxies by the Board for use at the special meeting and at any properly convened meeting following an adjournment or postponement of the special meeting.

Date, Time and Place of the Special Meeting

Legg Mason will hold the special meeting via live webcast on May 15, 2020, at 10 a.m., Eastern Time. The special meeting can be accessed by visiting https://web.lumiagm.com/274394446, where you will be able to listen to the meeting live. You may vote online during the meeting by following the instructions on your proxy card for internet voting. We encourage you to allow ample time for online check-in, which will open at 9:55 a.m., Eastern Time. Please note that you will not be able to attend the virtual special meeting in person. We have chosen to hold a virtual rather than an in-person meeting due to the emerging public health impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Purpose of the Special Meeting

At the special meeting, Legg Mason’s stockholders of record will be asked to consider and vote on:

Recommendation of the Special Committee

The Special Committee carefully reviewed and considered the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. The Special Committee believes that the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are fair to and in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders and that the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are advisable. Accordingly, by a unanimous vote, the Special Committee recommended that the Board (i) declare the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and its stockholders, (ii) approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, (iii) direct that the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement be submitted for consideration by the holders of Shares at Legg Mason’s stockholders meeting, and (iv) recommend that the holders of Shares approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

Recommendation of the Board

The Board carefully reviewed and considered the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. The Board also considered the unanimous recommendation of the special committee comprised solely of independent, disinterested directors and such other matters as it considered necessary or appropriate. By a unanimous vote, the Board (i) declared that the merger, the merger agreement and the other transactions contemplated thereby are advisable and fair to, and in the best

23

interests of, the Company and its stockholders, (ii) approved the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby, (iii) directed that the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement be submitted to a vote at a meeting of the Company’s stockholders, and (iv) recommended that the Company’s stockholders vote for the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. Accordingly, based, in part, on the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee, the Board unanimously recommendsa vote “FOR” the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

The Board also unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” thenon-binding compensation advisory proposal and “FOR” the approval of the proposal to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies in favor of the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement if there are insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

Record Date and Quorum

Each holder of record of Shares as of the close of business on April 14, 2020, which is the record date for the special meeting, is entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting. You will be entitled to one (1) vote for each Share that you owned on the record date. As of the record date, there were 88,065,952 Shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the special meeting. The presence at the special meeting, by attendance via the virtual meeting website or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the Shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote constitutes a quorum for the special meeting.

If you are a Legg Mason stockholder of record and you vote by mail, by telephone or through the internet or at the special meeting, then your Shares will be counted as part of the quorum. If you are a “street name” holder of Shares and you provide your bank, broker, trust or other nominee with voting instructions, then your Shares will be counted in determining the presence of a quorum. If you are a “street name” holder of Shares and you do not provide your bank, broker, trust or other nominee with voting instructions, then your Shares will not be counted in determining the presence of a quorum.

All Shares held by stockholders of record that are present at the special meeting via the virtual meeting website or by proxy and entitled to vote at the special meeting, regardless of how such Shares are voted or whether such stockholders abstain from voting, will be counted in determining the presence of a quorum. In the absence of a quorum, the special meeting may be adjourned.

Vote Required for Approval

Merger Proposal. The proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote on such matter.

Non-Binding Compensation Advisory Proposal. The approval of thenon-binding compensation advisory proposal requires, assuming a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of Shares representing a majority of the votes properly cast for such matter at the special meeting or by proxy at the special meeting. The vote is advisory only and, therefore, is not binding on Legg Mason or Franklin or any of their respective subsidiaries, and, if the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are approved by Legg Mason stockholders and the merger is completed, the compensation that is based on or otherwise relates to the merger will be payable to our named executive officers even if this proposal is not approved.

Adjournment Proposal. The approval of the proposal to adjourn the special meeting if necessary or appropriate requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast online during the special meeting or by proxy at the special meeting on such matter. In addition, our bylaws permit the chair of the special meeting, acting in his or

24

her own discretion and without any action by our stockholders, to adjourn the special meeting to a later date and time and at a place announced at the special meeting.

Effect of Abstentions and BrokerNon-Votes

The proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote on such matter. Therefore, the failure to vote or the abstention from voting will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

The approval of thenon-binding compensation advisory proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast online during the special meeting or by proxy at the special meeting on such matter. Consequently, abstention and failure to vote will have no effect on approval of the proposal.

The approval of the proposal to adjourn the special meeting if necessary or appropriate requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast online during the special meeting or by proxy at the special meeting on such matter. Consequently, abstention and failure to vote will have no effect on approval of the proposal. In addition, our bylaws permit the chair of the special meeting, acting in his or her own discretion and without any action by our stockholders, to adjourn the special meeting to a later date and time and at a place announced at the special meeting.

A “brokernon-vote” occurs when Shares held by a broker or other nominee are represented at the meeting, but the broker or other nominee has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner and does not have the discretion to direct the voting of the Shares on a particular proposal but has discretionary voting power on other proposals. A bank, broker, trust or other nominee may exercise discretion in voting on routine matters but may not exercise discretion and therefore will not vote onnon-routine matters if instructions are not given. Under applicable stock exchange rules, all of the proposals in this proxy statement arenon-routine matters. Accordingly, if your Shares are held in “street name,” a bank, broker, trust or other nominee will NOT be able to vote your Shares, and your Shares will not be counted in determining the presence of a quorum unless you have properly instructed your bank, broker, trust or other nominee on how to vote. Because the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote on the matter, the failure to provide your bank, broker, trust or other nominee with voting instructions will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. Because the approval of each of (i) thenon-binding compensation advisory proposal and (ii) the proposal to adjourn the special meeting if necessary or appropriate requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast online during the special meeting or by proxy at the special meeting on such matter, the failure to provide your bank, broker, trust or other nominee with voting instructions will have no effect on approval of those proposals.

How to Vote

Stockholders have a choice of voting by proxy by completing a proxy card and mailing it in the prepaid envelope provided, by calling a toll-free telephone number or through the internet. To facilitate timely receipt of your proxy despite any potential systems disruption due to the novel coronavirus disease(COVID-19), we encourage you to vote via the internet or telephone (if such voting methods are available to you) by following the instructions on the enclosed proxy card promptly. Please refer to your proxy card or the information forwarded by your bank, broker, trust or other nominee to see which options are available to you. The telephone and internet voting facilities for stockholders of record will close at 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on the day before the special meeting.

If you submit your proxy by mail, by telephone or through the internet voting procedures, but do not include “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN” on a proposal to be voted, your Shares will be voted in favor of that proposal.

25

If you indicate “ABSTAIN” on a proposal to be voted, it will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, but will have no effect on the other proposals. If you wish to vote by proxy and your Shares are held by a bank, broker, trust or other nominee, you must follow the voting instructions provided to you by your bank, broker, trust or other nominee. Unless you give your bank, broker, trust or other nominee instructions on how to vote your Shares, your bank, broker, trust or other nominee will not be able to vote your Shares on the proposals.

Any stockholder can attend the virtual special meeting by visiting https://web.lumiagm.com/274394446. Stockholders may vote online by following the internet voting instructions on the proxy card. The special meeting starts at 10 a.m., Eastern Time. Please have your 11-digit Control Number to join the special meeting. Instructions on who can attend and participate via internet are posted at http://www.astproxyportal.com/ast/25493.

If you wish to vote at the special meeting and your Shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, you must obtain a legal proxy, executed in your favor, from the bank, broker or other holder of record authorizing you to vote at the special meeting. Obtaining a legal proxy may take several days.

If you do not submit a proxy or otherwise vote your Shares in any of the ways described above, it will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, but will have no effect on the approval of thenon-binding compensation advisory proposal or the approval of the proposal to adjourn the special meeting if necessary or appropriate.

If you have any questions about how to vote or direct a vote in respect of your Shares, you may contact our proxy solicitor, Innisfree, toll-free at (877)456-3442 or (212)750-5833 for bankers and brokers.

YOU SHOULD NOT SEND IN YOUR SHARE CERTIFICATE(S) WITH YOUR PROXY CARD. A letter of transmittal with instructions for the surrender of certificates representing Shares or book-entry shares will be mailed to stockholders shortly after the merger is completed.

Revocation of Proxies

Any proxy given by a Legg Mason stockholder may be revoked at any time before it is voted at the special meeting by doing any of the following:

“Street name” holders of Shares should contact their bank, broker, trust or other nominee to obtain instructions as to how to revoke or change their proxies.

Adjournments and Postponements

Although it is not currently expected, the special meeting may be adjourned or postponed one or more times, for not more than ten (10) days in the aggregate, to a later day or time if necessary or appropriate, to solicit

26

additional proxies in favor of the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. Your Shares will be voted on any adjournment proposal in accordance with the instructions indicated in your proxy or, if no instructions were provided, “FOR” the proposal.

If a quorum is present at the special meeting, the special meeting may be adjourned if there is an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast online during the special meeting or by proxy at the special meeting on such matter. In addition, even if a quorum is not present at the special meeting, the affirmative vote of shares representing a majority of the Shares present at the special meeting via the virtual meeting website or by proxy at the special meeting and voting on such matter may adjourn the meeting to another place, date or time. In either case, the adjourned meeting may take place without further notice other than by an announcement made at the special meeting unless the adjournment is for more than 120 days after the record date or, if, after the adjournment, a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, in which case a notice of the adjourned meeting will be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the special meeting. If a quorum is not present at the special meeting, or if a quorum is present at the special meeting but there are insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, then Legg Mason may seek to adjourn the special meeting. The Board may, after consultation with Franklin, and shall upon Franklin’s request, postpone the special meeting (for not more than an aggregate of ten (10) days) upon public announcement made prior to the date previously scheduled for the special meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies or as otherwise permitted under the merger agreement. In addition, our bylaws permit the chair of the special meeting, acting in his or her own discretion and without any action by our stockholders, to adjourn the special meeting to a later date and time and at a place announced at the special meeting.

Solicitation of Proxies

Legg Mason is soliciting the enclosed proxy card on behalf of the Board, and Legg Mason will bear the expenses in connection with the solicitation of proxies. In addition to solicitation by mail, Legg Mason and its directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies in person, by telephone or by electronic means. These persons will not be specifically compensated for doing this.

Legg Mason has retained Innisfree to assist in the solicitation process. Legg Mason will pay Innisfree a fee of approximately $50,000 plus reimbursement of certain specifiedout-of-pocket expenses. Legg Mason also has agreed to indemnify Innisfree against various liabilities and expenses that relate to or arise out of its solicitation of proxies (subject to certain exceptions).

Legg Mason will ask banks, brokers, trusts and other nominees to forward Legg Mason’s proxy solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of Shares held of record by such banks, brokers, trusts or other nominees. Legg Mason will reimburse these banks, brokers, trusts or other nominees for their customary clerical and mailing expenses incurred in forwarding the proxy solicitation materials to the beneficial owners.

Questions and Additional Information

If you have more questions about the merger or how to submit your proxy, or if you need additional copies of this proxy statement or the enclosed proxy card or voting instructions, please call our proxy solicitor, Innisfree. Shareholders may call, toll-free at (877)456-3442. Bankers and brokers may call collect at (212)750-5833.

27

PROPOSAL 1: APPROVAL OF THE MERGER AND THE OTHER TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THE MERGER AGREEMENT

As discussed elsewhere in this proxy statement, Legg Mason stockholders will consider and vote on a proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. You should carefully read this proxy statement in its entirety for more detailed information concerning the merger agreement and the merger. In particular, you should read in its entirety the merger agreement, which is attached asAnnex A to this proxy statement. In addition, see the sections entitled “The Merger,” beginning on page 31, and “The Agreement and Plan of Merger,” beginning on page 75.

Based, in part, on the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee, the Board unanimously recommends that Legg Mason stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. For more information see the sections entitled “The Merger—Recommendation of the Special Committee,” beginning on page 45 and “The Merger—Reasons for Recommending the Approval of the Merger and the Other Transactions Contemplated by the Merger Agreement,” beginning on page 46.

If you return a properly executed proxy card, but do not indicate instructions on your proxy card, your Shares represented by such proxy card will be voted “FOR” the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

The proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote on such matter.

28

PROPOSAL 2:NON-BINDING COMPENSATION ADVISORY PROPOSAL

Under Section 14A of the Exchange Act, which was enacted as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, we are required to provide our stockholders the opportunity to vote to approve, on anon-binding, advisory basis, the compensation that may be paid or become payable to Legg Mason’s named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the merger, as disclosed in the section entitled “The Merger—Interests of Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger—Golden Parachute Compensation,” beginning on page 68, including the accompanying table and footnotes. Accordingly, Legg Mason stockholders are being provided with the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on such payments.

As an advisory vote, this proposal is not binding upon Legg Mason or the Board, and approval of this proposal is not a condition to completion of the merger. Because the merger-related executive compensation to be paid in connection with the merger is based on the terms of the merger agreement as well as the contractual arrangements between Legg Mason and the named executive officers, such compensation will be payable, regardless of the outcome of this advisory vote, if the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement is approved (subject only to the contractual conditions in the merger agreement applicable thereto as well as the applicable contractual arrangements between Legg Mason and the named executive officers). However, Legg Mason seeks your support and believes that your support is appropriate because Legg Mason has a comprehensive executive compensation program designed to link the compensation of its executives with Legg Mason’s performance and the interests of Legg Mason’s stockholders. Accordingly, you are asked to vote on the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the stockholders of Legg Mason, Inc. approve, on an advisory,non-binding basis, the compensation that may be paid or become payable to the named executive officers of Legg Mason, Inc. that is based on or otherwise relates to the merger, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402(t) of RegulationS-K under the heading “The Merger—Interests of Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger—Golden Parachute Compensation,” beginning on page 68 (which disclosure includes the Golden Parachute Compensation Table required pursuant to Item 402(t) of RegulationS-K).”

The Board unanimously recommends that Legg Mason stockholders vote “FOR” thenon-binding compensation advisory proposal.

If you return a properly executed proxy card, but do not indicate instructions on your proxy card, your Shares represented by such proxy card will be voted “FOR” thenon-binding compensation advisory proposal.

The approval of thenon-binding compensation advisory proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast online during the special meeting or by proxy at the special meeting on such matter. The vote is advisory only and, therefore, not binding on Legg Mason or Franklin or any of their respective subsidiaries, and, if the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are approved by Legg Mason’s stockholders and the merger is completed, the compensation that is based on or otherwise relates to the merger will be payable to our named executive officers even if this proposal is not approved.

29

PROPOSAL 3: AUTHORITY TO ADJOURN THE SPECIAL MEETING

Legg Mason stockholders may be asked to adjourn the special meeting to a later date or time if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies in favor of the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement if there are insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

The Board unanimously recommendsthat stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to adjourn the special meeting to a later date or time if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies in favor of the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement if there are insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

If you return a properly executed proxy card, but do not indicate instructions on your proxy card, your Shares represented by such proxy card will be voted “FOR” the proposal to adjourn the special meeting to a later date or time if necessary or appropriate.

The approval of the proposal to adjourn the special meeting if necessary or appropriate requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast online during the special meeting or by proxy at the special meeting on such matter. In addition, our bylaws permit the chair of the special meeting, acting in his or her own discretion and without any action by our stockholders, to adjourn the special meeting to a later date and time and at a place announced at the special meeting.

30

THE MERGER

Overview

Legg Mason is seeking the approval by Legg Mason stockholders of the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement pursuant and subject to the terms of the merger agreement Legg Mason entered into on February 17, 2020 with Franklin and Merger Sub. Under the terms of the merger agreement, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of specified conditions, Merger Sub will merge with and into Legg Mason. Legg Mason will survive the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin.

Based, in part, on the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee, the Board has approved the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and unanimously recommends that Legg Mason stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

Upon completion of the merger, each Share that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Excluded Shares) will be cancelled, retired and automatically converted into the right to receive $50.00 per share, in cash, subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes and without interest.

Following the completion of the merger, Legg Mason will cease to be a publicly traded company and will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin.

Background of the Merger

The Board, together with senior management, regularly reviews and assesses Legg Mason’s strategic direction, financial performance and business plans with a view towards strengthening Legg Mason’s business and identifying opportunities to increase stockholder value, taking into account financial, industry, competitive and other considerations. As part of this process, from time to time, the Board and senior management review potential strategic alternatives for Legg Mason, including strategic acquisitions, divestitures and business combinations.

In late May 2019, Matthew Nicholls, Chief Financial Officer of Franklin, called Joseph Sullivan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Legg Mason, to explore the merits of a potential strategic transaction between Legg Mason and Franklin and suggested setting up a meeting between Mr. Sullivan and Greg Johnson, then the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Franklin. Mr. Sullivan discussed the potential transaction with John Murphy who was then the Company’s Lead Independent Director.

On June 3, 2019, the Board held a meeting, with members of senior management in attendance, to review potential strategic alternatives for Legg Mason, including pursuing a strategic transaction with a third party and/or engaging in a corporate reorganization of Legg Mason’s independent asset management subsidiaries. Mr. Sullivan reported that he had received a call from Mr. Nicholls expressing Franklin’s interest in discussing a potential strategic transaction with Legg Mason and the Board discussed the merits of Mr. Sullivan meeting with Mr. Nicholls and other representatives of Franklin.

On June 6, 2019, at Mr. Nicholls’ suggestion, Mr. Nicholls and Nelson Peltz (who, in addition to serving as a Board member, is the Chief Executive Officer and a Founding Partner of Trian Partners, an alternative asset management firm and a large stockholder of Legg Mason), met and had a general discussion about investment industry trends and Franklin. During that conversation, Mr. Nicholls raised the concept of Franklin acquiring Legg Mason. While Mr. Nicholls indicated this was only an idea in concept, Mr. Peltz advised Mr. Sullivan of his conversation with Mr. Nicholls.

On June 17, 2019, Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Johnson had a dinner meeting during which they discussed a potential acquisition of Legg Mason by Franklin and the merits of such a transaction.

31

On June 27, 2019, Legg Mason and Franklin entered into a mutual confidentiality agreement in order to facilitate the exchange of certainnon-public information regarding the two companies in connection with the consideration of a potential strategic transaction.

During June and July 2019, representatives of Legg Mason met periodically with representatives of Franklin to discuss the possibility of engaging in a potential strategic transaction. During this time, these exchanges did not progress to substantive discussions regarding a potential strategic transaction and did not involve discussion of financial or other transaction terms.

At a Board meeting on July 29, 2019, the Board discussed the status of discussions with Franklin and determined that Legg Mason should not pursue a potential strategic transaction with Franklin at that time because Legg Mason should focus on executing its strategic business plan, seeking additional cost savings and implementing improvements to its distribution services.

Later on July 29, 2019, Mr. Sullivan spoke with Mr. Johnson, and communicated, at the direction of the Board, that the Board was not interested at that time in pursuing a strategic transaction between Legg Mason and Franklin.

On September 6, 2019, Mr. Peltz met with Mr. Nicholls. During that meeting, Mr. Nicholls discussed the possibility of a transaction between Legg Mason and Franklin. Mr. Nicholls separately raised the broad terms of a potential strategic relationship between a combined Franklin/Legg Mason and Trian Partners, as a way for a combined Franklin/Legg Mason business to expand further into the alternative asset business. Mr. Nicholls suggested that Mr. Peltz should consider meeting with senior management of Franklin. Mr. Peltz briefed Carol Anthony “John” Davidson, the lead independent director of the Board about this meeting.

On September 13, 2019, Mr. Nicholls sent to Mr. Peltz an unsigned draft letter addressed to Legg Mason dated September 12, 2019 (which we refer to as the “September Letter”). The September Letter outlined Franklin’s preliminary views of the strategic merits of a combination of Franklin’s and Legg Mason’s respective businesses and each of Legg Mason’s independent asset management subsidiaries. In the context of a transaction between Legg Mason and Franklin, the September Letter also raised the broad terms of how a combined Franklin/Legg Mason might gain additional exposure to the alternative asset management business through a potential strategic relationship involving Trian Partners and certain parts of a combined Franklin/Legg Mason. The September Letter stated that the purpose of the letter was to summarize for the parties’ consideration the merits of such potential transaction between Legg Mason and Franklin and requested that the parties engage in a dialogue with the objective of confirming Franklin’s preliminary views. The September Letter did not include a formal offer but indicated that further discussions could result in a formal offer.

Immediately following receipt of the September Letter, Mr. Peltz reported his receipt of the September Letter to Mr. Davidson. Trian Partners’ counsel similarly informed representatives of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP (which we refer to as “Weil”), who had been serving as outside counsel to the Board, of the receipt of the September Letter and provided Weil with a copy of the letter. Mr. Peltz informed Mr. Davidson that he had no advance knowledge that the September Letter was being sent prior to its receipt and planned to meet with senior management of Franklin on September 26, 2019, but would cancel that meeting if the Board so requested.

On September 16, 2019, the Board held a meeting with certain members of senior management and representatives of Weil in attendance. The Board reviewed the September Letter and discussed the merits of pursuing a potential strategic transaction with Franklin. The Board also discussed with representatives of Weil whether a potential conflict of interest existed because Franklin had raised a potential transaction with Legg Mason and Trian Partners, and whether the Board should create a special committee, consisting of independent directors who have no material relationship with Trian Partners or Franklin, to consider any proposed transaction and address any potential conflicts of interest. During the discussion, Mr. Peltz advised the Board that he and Edward Garden (who, in addition to serving on the Board, is the Chief Investment Officer and a Founding

32

Partner of Trian Partners) would not serve on a special committee because of the possibility of a conflict. Mr. Peltz then excused himself from the meeting, and the other members of the Board present (which did not include Mr. Garden), determined that Legg Mason should speak with Franklin regarding its interest in a potential strategic transaction. The Board also determined that any further engagement with Franklin regarding a potential transaction between Legg Mason and Franklin should be directed by a committee of the Board composed of independent directors who have no material relationship with Franklin or Trian Partners.

On September 18, 2019, the Board held a meeting from which Messrs. Peltz and Garden recused themselves. Representatives from Weil were also in attendance at the invitation of the Board. The Board members in attendance discussed the merits of a potential transaction with Franklin in light of the contents of the September Letter. The Board also discussed the implications of Franklin’s potential interest in a subsequent transaction between Franklin and Trian Partners. The Board determined that Messrs. Sullivan and Davidson should undertake discussions with Franklin regarding a potential transaction with Legg Mason.

On September 19, 2019, Messrs. Sullivan and Davidson called Mr. Johnson and advised Franklin that Messrs. Sullivan and Davidson would lead the initial discussions regarding a potential transaction between Legg Mason and Franklin on behalf of Legg Mason and the Board. The parties scheduled a meeting for the following week.

On September 24, 2019, Messrs. Sullivan and Davidson met with Jennifer Johnson, then President and Chief Operating Officer of Franklin, and Messrs. Johnson and Nicholls to discuss the strategic rationale of a potential transaction between the two companies. The parties discussed the potential advantages of a business combination, including the increased size and scale of a combined company, the opportunities to accelerate the growth of a combined company by using the asset class products currently managed by both companies to create multi-asset class solutions to be offered to investors, the complementary distribution focuses of Legg Mason and Franklin and potential synergy opportunities. In addition, the parties discussed the potential mix of consideration and the premium that could be paid in connection with a potential transaction as well as how each independent asset management subsidiary of Legg Mason could be operated under Franklin’s ownership following the potential transaction.

Also on September 25, 2019, the Board held a meeting with certain members of senior management in attendance. Messrs. Davidson and Sullivan reviewed with the Board their meeting with representatives of Franklin and the rationale for the proposed transaction. The Board determined that Legg Mason should continue discussions regarding the potential transaction. The Board also created a Special Committee composed of independent directors who have no material relationship with Franklin or Trian Partners for the purpose of considering, negotiating and overseeing the potential transaction and, if appropriate, making a recommendation to the Board in favor of or against such transaction. The Board appointed Mr. Davidson, Alison Quirk, Michelle Goldberg, John Murphy and Stephen Hooley to serve on the Special Committee.

Later on September 25, 2019, the Special Committee held a meeting, with Board member Robert Angelica and representatives of Weil in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee. The Special Committee discussed that it would be appropriate to engage a financial advisor, and noted that PJT Partners, which had previously worked with the Board on other strategic matters, should be considered as a candidate to serve as financial advisor in connection with a potential transaction.

On September 26, 2019, Mr. Peltz met with members of senior management of Franklin to discuss Franklin’s interest in pursuing a transaction with Trian Partners. As noted in the September Letter, such a transaction would involve Legg Mason. Promptly following this meeting, Mr. Garden informed Mr. Davidson of the discussions between Mr. Peltz and members of senior management of Franklin, which Mr. Peltz had reported to Mr. Garden.

On September 27, 2019, the Special Committee held a meeting with Mr. Sullivan and representatives of Weil and PJT Partners in attendance for portions of the meeting at the invitation of the Special Committee. During the meeting, the Special Committee elected Mr. Davidson as chair of the Special Committee. The Special Committee

33

reviewed with the representatives of PJT Partners its qualifications and experience in similar transactions and discussed the potential transaction with Franklin. Representatives of Weil also reviewed with the members of the Special Committee their fiduciary duties as directors of a Maryland corporation. Following this meeting, the Special Committee and the Board determined to engage PJT Partners as its financial advisor. Legg Mason and PJT Partners subsequently executed an engagement letter on December 27, 2019.

On October 2, 2019, at the direction of the Special Committee, Mr. Sullivan and representatives of PJT Partners met with representatives of Franklin and representatives of Franklin’s financial advisors, Broadhaven Capital Partners LLC (which we refer to as “Broadhaven”). The representatives of Franklin and Broadhaven indicated that they intended to undertake a due diligence review of Legg Mason and submit an indication of interest by October 18, 2019 and further indicated that negotiating a transaction with Legg Mason was a priority for Franklin and negotiating a concurrent transaction that involved Trian Partners was not a priority for Franklin.

On October 4, 2019, the Special Committee held a meeting with Mr. Sullivan and representatives of Weil and PJT Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee. Mr. Sullivan and the representatives of PJT Partners discussed with the Special Committee the October 2, 2019 meeting with Franklin and Broadhaven, noting that Franklin sought to have discussions with the leaders of certain of Legg Mason’s independent asset management subsidiaries as soon as possible because Franklin did not intend to proceed with a transaction without satisfactory discussions with those leaders. Mr. Sullivan also reported that Franklin also indicated that negotiating a transaction with Legg Mason was a priority for Franklin and negotiating a concurrent transaction that involved Trian Partners was not a priority for Franklin. Mr. Sullivan also noted that Franklin sought to undertake a due diligence review of Legg Mason and would submit a preliminary,non-binding indication of interest by October 18, 2019. The Special Committee directed Mr. Sullivan and the representatives of PJT Partners to continue discussions with Franklin, provide them with due diligence information and encourage Franklin to complete its preliminary due diligence review as quickly as possible.

On October 8, 2019, Franklin and its financial and legal advisors were provided access to a virtual dataroom that contained certainnon-public information regarding Legg Mason, and conducted a due diligence review from October 8, 2019 through the execution of the merger agreement.

On October 10, 2019, Mr. Johnson called Mr. Peltz. During that conversation, Mr Johnson noted Franklin’s intention to negotiate a transaction with Legg Mason. They also discussed the cessation of discussions concerning a Legg Mason/Trian transaction. In addition, Mr. Johnson also advised Mr. Peltz that he had advised Legg Mason that a transaction between Franklin and Legg Mason would be conditioned on receiving Trian’s support for that transaction.

On October 11, 2019, representatives of Franklin met with representatives of Legg Mason, together with representatives of PJT Partners and Broadhaven, for an in person management diligence session.

On October 14, 2019, the Board held a meeting with certain members of senior management and representatives of Weil in attendance, in order to (i) provide an update with respect to discussions by certain Board members with the leaders of certain of Legg Mason’s independent asset management subsidiaries (which we refer to as the “Affiliate Leaders”) regarding potential improvements to Legg Mason’s centralized distribution operations and (ii) review the status of the potential transaction with Franklin. The Board also reviewed the Affiliate Leaders’ feedback regarding Legg Mason’s centralized distribution model and the potential for improvements. Mr. Davidson then advised the Board that he expected to receive a preliminary,non-binding indication of interest from Franklin by October 18, 2019. Mr. Sullivan also updated the Board regarding the diligence sessions that had taken place during the prior week and Franklin’s continued interest in engaging with certain of the Affiliate Leaders to gauge their interest in the potential transaction. Mr. Peltz then updated the Board with respect to discussions that had taken place between Trian Partners and members of senior management of Franklin. Mr. Peltz informed the Board that Trian Partners was ending all discussions with Franklin with respect to a potential transaction that would involve Trian Partners and that there were no outstanding agreements,

34

arrangements or understandings of any nature between Trian Partners and Franklin regarding any such transaction.

On October 17, 2019, Franklin submitted a preliminarynon-binding indication of interest (which we refer to as the “October 17 Proposal”), reflecting an implied value of $43.83 per share of Legg Mason common stock, consisting of 0.97 of a share of Franklin common stock and $17.50 in cash for each share of Legg Mason common stock, representing a premium of twenty-three percent (23%) to the closing price of Legg Mason’s common stock on October 17, 2019. The October 17 Proposal was subject to the negotiation of a mutually acceptable definitive merger agreement with Legg Mason and voting agreement with Trian Partners with customary terms and conditions, satisfactory discussions with certain Affiliate Leaders, completion of confirmatory due diligence and the unanimous approval of the Board.

On October 18, 2019, the Special Committee held a meeting, with the other members of the Board and representatives of Weil and PJT Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee. The Special Committee discussed the October 17 Proposal and, among other things, the fact that it was conditioned upon satisfactory discussions with certain Affiliate Leaders. After discussion regarding the October 17 Proposal, the Special Committee directed PJT Partners to advise Franklin that a higher price and greater specificity regarding financial assumptions were required, and that it was premature for Franklin to begin discussions with Affiliate Leaders.

On October 20, 2019, per the instructions of the Special Committee, representatives of PJT Partners contacted representatives of Broadhaven to clarify and obtain additional details regarding the financial assumptions underlying the October 17 Proposal, as well as additional information on how Franklin would plan to describe the transaction to various constituencies.

On October 21, 2019, the Board held a meeting, with members of senior management and representatives of Weil and PJT Partners who were in attendance at the invitation of the Board for portions of the meeting. Representatives of PJT Partners reported that they had reviewed the terms of the October 17 Proposal with representatives of Franklin and Broadhaven. PJT Partners then presented to the Board preliminary analyses with respect to the October 17 Proposal. A discussion ensued with respect to next steps. The Board determined that it should inform the Chief Executive Officer of its largest independent asset management subsidiary, Western Asset Management, of the October 17 Proposal, and authorized and requested Mr. Peltz to do so given his relationship with the Chief Executive Officer of Western Asset Management arising out of Mr. Peltz’s prior service on the Legg Mason Board (2009 – 2014).

Mr. Peltz spoke with the Chief Executive Officer of Western Asset Management on October 21, 2019. Following that discussion, it was determined that Mr. Peltz and the Chief Executive Officer of Western Asset Management would meet with representatives of Franklin.

On October 30, 2019, Mr. Peltz, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Investment Officer of Western Asset Management and certain members of senior management of Franklin met to discuss the potential transaction.

On October 31, 2019, the Special Committee held a meeting with the other members of the Board and representatives of Weil and PJT Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee. At the request of Mr. Davidson, Mr. Peltz reported to the Special Committee on the meeting he had had with representatives of Franklin senior management and the Chief Executive Officer of Western Asset Management. Mr. Peltz informed the Special Committee that the meeting was productive and the parties discussed the strategic rationale for the potential transaction and the potential benefits and synergies that could be realized as part of a potential transaction between Legg Mason and Franklin. Representatives of PJT Partners then reviewed the work that had been completed with the assistance of Legg Mason management in developing a preliminary estimate of the potential synergies that could be realized in a transaction between Legg Mason and Franklin.

35

On November 4, 2019, the Special Committee retained Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (which we refer to as “Skadden”) as counsel to the Special Committee.

On November 5, 2019, the Board held a meeting with certain members of management and representatives of Weil, Skadden and PJT Partners in attendance for portions of the meeting at the invitation of the Board. The Board reviewed the status of the potential transaction with Franklin and discussed the strategic rationale for the potential transaction. After discussion, the Board determined that for the present time, Franklin should not be permitted to engage in further discussions with the Chief Executive Officer of Western Asset Management and that any communication should be handled through PJT Partners, however, representatives of Franklin would be permitted to meet with the Chief Executive Officer of ClearBridge Investments, another of Legg Mason’s independent asset management subsidiaries and certain members of the Board.

Early on November 6, 2019, Mr. Peltz received questions from the senior management of Western Asset Management which they asked be forwarded to Franklin. Mr. Peltz shared the questions with Mr. Davidson and was authorized by him to forward them to Mr. Nicholls.

On November 6, 2019, a meeting was held among Mr. Peltz, Ms. Quirk, certain members of senior management of Franklin and the Chief Executive Officer of ClearBridge Investments. The parties discussed the strategic rationale for the potential transaction and the potential benefits and synergies that could be realized as part of a potential transaction between Legg Mason and Franklin.

Later on November 6, 2019, the Special Committee held a meeting with representatives of Weil, Skadden and PJT Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee to provide an update on the meeting among Mr. Peltz, Ms. Quirk, certain members of senior management of Franklin and the Chief Executive Officer of ClearBridge Investments.

On November 7, 2019, the Special Committee held a meeting with all of the other members of the Board, members of senior management and representatives of Weil, Skadden and PJT Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee. Mr. Peltz and Ms. Quirk reviewed the previous day’s meeting with representatives of Franklin and the Chief Executive Officer of ClearBridge Investments. Representatives of PJT Partners updated the Special Committee on requests they had received from Mr. Nicholls and representatives of Broadhaven regarding Franklin’s desire for additional meetings with other Affiliate Leaders. After discussion, the Special Committee concluded that Franklin and its representatives should not have further meetings with Affiliate Leaders until it provided an updated indication of interest.

During the evening of November 8, 2019, Mr. Nicholls sent to Mr. Peltz responses to the questions posed by senior management of Western Asset Management to Franklin. The responses were shared with the Board and sent to senior management of Western Asset Management.

On November 13, 2019, the Board held a meeting with certain members of senior management in attendance. The purpose of the meeting was to review Legg Mason management’s updated projections (which we refer to as the “November Projections”). Legg Mason’s historical practice has been to review and update its annual projections after it had results for the first six months of a fiscal year. After reviewing and approving the November Projections, the Board discussed the status of the potential transaction with Franklin.

On November 14, 2019, Franklin submitted a revised indication of interest (which we refer to as the “November 14 Proposal”), with an implied value of $47.05 per share, consisting of 0.86 of a share of Franklin common stock and $23.00 in cash for each share of Legg Mason common stock, representing a twenty-eight percent (28%) premium to the average closing price of Legg Mason common stock during the prior month. The November 14 Proposal remained subject to the negotiation of a mutually acceptable definitive merger agreement with Legg Mason and voting agreement with Trian Partners, satisfactory discussions with certain Affiliate Leaders and the unanimous approval of the Board. Franklin also indicated that it wished to have further meetings with the Affiliate Leaders with whom it had previously met.

36

Later on November 14, 2019, the Special Committee held a meeting, with other members of the Board, members of management and representatives of Weil, Skadden and PJT Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee. PJT Partners reviewed with the Special Committee the terms of the November 14 Proposal and certain preliminary financial analyses regarding Legg Mason. The Special Committee discussed with representatives of PJT Partners, Weil and Skadden the advisability of conducting apre-signing “market check” to gauge the interest of other potential counterparties in a strategic transaction with Legg Mason. The Special Committee considered the potential benefits and risks associated with apre-signing “market check,” particularly with respect to its independent asset management subsidiaries and, among other things, the effect that a broad and extended due diligence process could have on Legg Mason’s ongoing operations and the risk of leaks inherent in such a process. Following discussion with representatives of PJT Partners, Weil and Skadden, the Special Committee determined that it would not conduct a “market check” at such time but that it would continue to consider the possibility of conducting apre-signing “market check” as negotiations with Franklin continued. The Special Committee then considered Franklin’s request for additional meetings with certain Affiliate Leaders, and concluded not to authorize such meetings at that time.

On November 18, 2019, members of senior management of Legg Mason held a meeting with members of senior management of Franklin and representatives of PJT Partners, Broadhaven and Weil, to discuss reciprocal due diligence that representatives of Legg Mason sought to conduct, including with respect to financial diligence regarding Franklin’s projections, Franklin’s capitalization structure and commercial, accounting and legal diligence matters regarding Franklin’s operations.

Later on November 21, 2019, the Special Committee held a meeting, with other members of the Board, members of management and representatives of Weil, Skadden and PJT Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee. PJT Partners reviewed with the Special Committee preliminary analyses regarding the November 13 Proposal and Legg Mason’s reciprocal due diligence on Franklin. The Special Committee and those present also discussed Franklin’s request for continued access to the Affiliate Leaders as well as the potential for apre-signing market check.

On November 22, 2019, the Special Committee held a meeting with representatives of Skadden in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee to discuss potential future meetings among the Affiliate Leaders and Franklin.

Later on November 22, 2019, representatives of Legg Mason and Franklin, as well as representatives of Weil, PJT Partners and Broadhaven, held a meeting to discuss certain legal due diligence matters related to Legg Mason’s business.

On November 23, 2019, Mr. Nicholls reached out to Mr. Peltz regarding the existing revenue sharing arrangements with certain of Legg Mason’s independent asset management subsidiaries. Thereafter, Mr. Peltz shared the communication with the Chief Executive Officer of Western Asset Management, Mr. Davidson and Ms. Quirk.

On November 25, 2019, the Special Committee held a meeting, with representatives of Skadden in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee, to discuss information Mr. Peltz had communicated to Mr. Davidson and Ms. Quirk regarding his ongoing discussions with the Chief Executive Officer of Western Asset Management as well as potential future meetings among the Affiliate Leaders and Franklin.

On November 27, 2019, the Special Committee held a meeting, with certain other members of the Board, certain members of management and representatives of Weil, Skadden and PJT Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee. Mr. Peltz updated the Special Committee on discussions he had held with senior management of Franklin and their continued requests to meet with certain Affiliate Leaders. Representatives of PJT Partners reviewed with the Special Committee certain preliminary financial analyses related to the prior indicative proposals received from Franklin. Representatives of Weil and Skadden then reviewed with the

37

members of the Special Committee and the other members of the Board present at the meeting their fiduciary duties under Maryland law with respect to their consideration of the potential transaction. Following discussion, the Special Committee directed PJT Partners to inform Broadhaven that a price range of $53.00 to $53.50 per share of Legg Mason common stock would be required to proceed with the potential transaction.

On November 28, 2019, Mr. Peltz received a communication from an Affiliate Leader indicating that other Affiliate Leaders had become aware of a potential transaction involving Franklin. Mr. Peltz shared the communication with Mr. Davidson, who shared it with the other members of the Board.

On November 29, 2019, at the instruction of the Special Committee, representatives of PJT Partners informed representatives of Broadhaven of the Special Committee’s views on the price required to proceed with the potential transaction.

Later on November 29, 2019, the Board held a meeting, with members of senior management and representatives of Weil, Skadden and PJT Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Board, to discuss the fact that certain of the Affiliate Leaders who had not been informed of the potential transaction with Franklin had become aware of the discussions with respect to the potential transaction between Franklin and Legg Mason. After discussion, the Board authorized Mr. Davidson to speak with certain of the Affiliate Leaders about the potential transaction with Franklin.

On November 30, 2019, the Special Committee held a meeting, with the other members of the Board and representatives of Weil, Skadden and PJT Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee. Mr. Davidson reviewed with the Special Committee the conversations he had held with certain Affiliate Leaders regarding the potential transaction between Legg Mason and Franklin. After discussion, it was determined that the Special Committee and Legg Mason senior management should coordinate with Franklin to schedule meetings between Franklin and certain Affiliate Leaders.

On December 1, 2019, Mr. Peltz received a letter from certain Affiliate Leaders expressing their opposition to the potential transaction between Legg Mason and Franklin (which we refer to as the “Affiliate Letter”). Mr. Peltz shared the letter with Mr. Davidson, who shared it with all of the other members of the Board.

On December 2, 2019, given their relationships with the Affiliate Leaders, at the request of the Special Committee, Mr. Peltz and Mr. Garden met with the Affiliate Leaders who authored the Affiliate Letter to discuss the potential transaction.

Also, on December 2, 2019, Ms. Johnson, Mr. Nicholls and representatives of Broadhaven met with Ms. Quirk, Mr. Murphy and representatives of PJT Partners to discuss the matters expressed by the Affiliate Leaders and ways to address any concerns raised by the Affiliate Leaders.

Later on December 2, 2019, the Board held a meeting, with representatives of Weil, Skadden and PJT Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Board. Messrs. Peltz and Garden reviewed with the Board the Affiliate Letter and the meeting he and Mr. Garden had with certain Affiliate Leaders. Messrs. Peltz and Garden explained that such Affiliate Leaders had expressed opposition regarding the potential transaction with Franklin and noted that such Affiliate Leaders understood that greater alignment would be needed between Legg Mason’s independent asset management subsidiaries and Legg Mason’s stockholders if Legg Mason did not enter into a strategic transaction. After discussion, the Board determined that Franklin would be allowed to meet with certain Affiliate Leaders.

On December 4, 2019, the Special Committee held a meeting with representatives of Weil, Skadden and PJT Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee. The Special Committee noted that Franklin remained interested in pursuing a potential transaction with Legg Mason and discussed the terms and conditions that would be acceptable to the Special Committee in order to recommend the transaction to the Board. After discussion, the Special Committee determined that Mr. Davidson should convey to certain Affiliate Leaders the Board’s interest in continuing to pursue the potential transaction with Franklin.

38

On December 6, 2019, representatives of PJT Partners met with representatives of Franklin to discuss Franklin’s proposed approach to meeting with certain Affiliate Leaders and expressed Legg Mason’s requirement for a transaction structure that maximizes value for Legg Mason stockholders and minimizes conditionality.

On December 13, 2019, the Board held a meeting with representatives of Weil, Skadden and PJT Partners as well as certain of the Affiliate Leaders attending for portions of the meeting at the invitation of the Board. The Board reviewed the status of the potential transaction with Franklin, including the preliminary meetings that had taken place between representatives of Franklin and certain Affiliate Leaders. In addition, certain Affiliate Leaders (i) presented their preliminary views to restructure Legg Mason’s centralized distribution operations and other aspects of Legg Mason’s operations assuming Legg Mason were to remain a standalone company and (ii) agreed to develop their proposal in further depth and to review such with the Board at the next regularly scheduled board meeting. At this meeting, the Board directed PJT Partners to assist in setting up additional meetings between Franklin and certain Affiliate Leaders.

On December 18, 2019, the Special Committee held a meeting with all of the other members of the Board, certain members of management and representatives of Weil, Skadden and PJT Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee. Mr. Peltz reported that he had spoken with Mr. Nicholls of Franklin and discussed meetings that had taken place with certain Affiliate Leaders and the potential path forward with respect to a potential transaction between Legg Mason and Franklin. Representatives of PJT Partners advised the Special Committee that PJT Partners had been informed by Broadhaven that Franklin was preparing a draft merger agreement that would seek to address the Special Committee’s concerns about conditionality. The Special Committee also discussed the results of the preliminary commercial due diligence that had been conducted on Franklin and the potential synergies that might be realized by the combined company. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Special Committee directed Messrs. Davidson and Peltz and the representatives of PJT Partners to continue discussions with representatives of Franklin.

On December 19, 2019, per the instructions of the Special Committee, representatives of PJT Partners contacted representatives of Broadhaven to request an updated, comprehensive proposal regarding the potential transaction, including with respect to price, conditionality, transaction structure and the plans for Legg Mason’s independent asset management subsidiaries.

On December 20, 2019, the Board held a meeting with certain members of management and representatives of Weil, Skadden and PJT Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Board. Mr. Davidson provided an update on the meetings held between representatives of Franklin and certain Affiliate Leaders and noted that the meetings were constructive and the parties discussed Franklin’s previous indications of interest and the expected impact of the potential transaction on Legg Mason’s independent asset management subsidiaries. After discussion, the Board instructed PJT Partners to inquire as to the status of the requested comprehensive proposal for a potential transaction from Franklin.

On December 28, 2019, representatives of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, counsel to Franklin (which we refer to as “Willkie Farr”), sent a draft merger agreement and a draft voting agreement between Franklin and Trian Partners to representatives of Weil.

On December 29, 2019, certain members of the Special Committee met with certain members of senior management and representatives of Weil and PJT Partners to review the key terms of the draft merger agreement provided by Willkie Farr. From December 29, 2019 through February 17, 2020, Legg Mason, assisted by its advisors, and Franklin, assisted by its advisors, negotiated the terms of a definitive merger agreement. Significant areas of discussion and negotiations included the level of conditionality in the merger agreement, the scope of representations and warranties and interim operating covenants, the scope of Franklin’s undertaking to obtain regulatory and other approvals of the transaction, the timing of closing, Legg Mason’s ability to pay its quarterly dividend depending on the timing of closing, the size of the termination fee and various other matters.

39

On January 5, 2020, Franklin submitted a revised indication of interest, proposing a range of $47.00 to $49.00 per share of Legg Mason common stock (which we refer to as the “January 5 Proposal”), and indicated that the consideration would consist of a stock component ranging from zero to forty percent(0-40%) of the total consideration, with the remainder in cash. The January 5 Proposal remained subject to the negotiation of a mutually acceptable definitive merger agreement with Legg Mason and voting agreement with Trian Partners, satisfactory discussions with certain Affiliate Leaders and the unanimous approval of the Board. Along with the January 5 Proposal, Franklin provided an update on its discussions with certain Affiliate Leaders regarding (i) the revenue-sharing arrangements that exist between Legg Mason and certain of its Affiliates and potential retention agreements to be entered into by Franklin with such Affiliate Leaders and (ii) an agreement with Franklin for Legg Mason, contemporaneously with the closing of the potential transaction between Legg Mason and Franklin, to sell to management of EnTrust Global, an affiliate of Legg Mason (which we refer to as “EnTrust Global”), the portion of EnTrust Global that presently is owned by Legg Mason.

On January 6, 2020, the Special Committee held a meeting, with representatives of Weil, Skadden and PJT Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee. The Special Committee discussed the mix of stock and cash consideration in the January 5 Proposal and various other matters. Representatives of PJT Partners noted that, at the direction of the Special Committee, they had updated Franklin regarding concerns that Franklin’s indications of interest did not show meaningful improvement from the October 17 Proposal to the January 5 Proposal. The Special Committee then discussed potential paths forward with respect to engaging with Franklin in connection with the potential transaction and alternative considerations for Legg Mason if a strategic transaction did not occur. Following that discussion, the Special Committee directed PJT Partners to (i) inform Franklin that Franklin needed to conclude discussions with the Affiliate Leaders within two weeks, (ii) inform Franklin that the Special Committee was focused on deal certainty and minimal conditionality and (iii) negotiate for additional value, with cash constituting the vast majority of such consideration.

Following the meeting of the Special Committee, representatives of PJT Partners, per the instructions of the Special Committee, contacted representatives of Franklin and Broadhaven to communicate the Special Committee’s views on the January 5 Proposal.

On January 7, 2020, Franklin submitted a revised indication of interest (which we refer to as the “January 7 Proposal”), expressing that Franklin would be willing to increase the cash portion of the January 5 Proposal, but maintain the proposed price range of $47.00 to 49.00 per share of Legg Mason common stock. The January 7 Proposal remained subject to the negotiation of a mutually acceptable definitive merger agreement with Legg Mason and voting agreement with Trian Partners, satisfactory discussions with certain Affiliate Leaders and the unanimous approval of the Board.

On January 9, 2020, representatives of Weil sent a revised draft of the merger agreement to Willkie Farr. Significant unresolved issues raised in Weil’s draft merger agreement included the level of conditionality, the size of the termination fee, and the scope of Franklin’s undertaking to obtain regulatory approvals of the transaction.

On January 23, 2020, representatives of Franklin submitted a revised proposal (which we refer to as the “January 23 Proposal”) and a revised draft of the merger agreement. The January 23 Proposal included consideration consisting of $38.50 in cash and 0.37 of a share of Franklin common stock for each share of Legg Mason common stock, reflecting an implied value of $48.07, with eighty percent (80%) of the consideration being delivered in cash, representing a premium of thirty-two percent (32%) to the average closing price of Legg Mason common stock during the preceding 20 trading days. The January 23 Proposal remained subject to the negotiation of a mutually acceptable definitive merger agreement with Legg Mason and voting agreement with Trian Partners, satisfactory discussions with certain Affiliate Leaders and the unanimous approval of the Board.

Later on January 23, 2020, the Special Committee held a meeting to review the January 23 Proposal with other members of the Board, certain members of senior management and representatives of Weil, Skadden and PJT

40

Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee. PJT Partners provided preliminary analyses of the January 23 Proposal. Representatives of Weil then reviewed the key issues in the merger agreement, noting that Franklin had reinserted the elements of conditionality that Legg Mason had removed in the previous draft. A discussion ensued regarding the aggregate consideration, the cash/stock mix, the level of conditionality that might be acceptable in a potential transaction with Franklin, whether Franklin would be able to propose a transaction that the Special Committee would find attractive to Legg Mason stockholders, and whether to continue discussions with Franklin. Following discussion, the Special Committee directed PJT Partners to communicate to Franklin that the January 23 Proposal did not meet the Special Committee’s expectations, particularly with respect to the price and the level of conditionality.

On January 23, 2020, following the Special Committee meeting, representatives of PJT Partners, per the Special Committee’s instructions, contacted representatives of Broadhaven to communicate the Special Committee’s views on the January 23 Proposal with respect to price and conditionality.

On January 27, 2020, Mr. Johnson called Mr. Davidson and communicated that Franklin was willing to submit an updated proposal to acquire Legg Mason at anall-cash price of $49.00 per share of Legg Mason common stock (which we refer to as the “January 27 Proposal”). The January 27 Proposal remained subject to the negotiation of a mutually acceptable definitive merger agreement with Legg Mason and voting agreement with Trian Partners, satisfactory discussions with certain Affiliate Leaders and the unanimous approval of the Board.

On January 28, 2020, the Special Committee held a meeting with representatives of Weil and Skadden present at the invitation of the Special Committee. Mr. Davidson updated the Special Committee on discussions he had with Mr. Johnson and reported that the previous evening Mr. Johnson had made an oral proposal to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Legg Mason common stock for a price of $49.00 per share in cash. After discussion, the Special Committee determined to convene a meeting of the full Board to discuss the January 27 Proposal.

On January 28, 2020, following the Special Committee meeting, a Board meeting was convened, with certain members of senior management and representatives of Weil, Skadden and PJT Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Board. PJT Partners reviewed with the Board the January 27 Proposal and Weil reviewed the key terms in the revised merger agreement. PJT Partners reviewed its financial analyses of the January 27 Proposal compared to the previous proposals received from Franklin. A discussion ensued regarding the level of conditionality the Board would be willing to accept in the proposed transaction.

On January 30, 2020, the Special Committee held a meeting with representatives of Weil, Skadden and PJT Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee, to review the potential transaction with Franklin and how to respond to the January 27 Proposal. Representatives of Weil reviewed with the Special Committee the terms of a counterproposal to the merger agreement received from Franklin that Weil was preparing, and the Special Committee discussed revisions to the merger agreement to (i) remove all conditionality with respect to obtaining client consents, (ii) reduce the size of the termination fee and (iii) provide that Franklin be obligated to use its best efforts to obtain the requisite antitrust approvals, including divesting assets if required. The Special Committee then authorized Mr. Davidson to communicate to Mr. Johnson of Franklin that the January 27 Proposal still did not meet the Special Committee’s expectations with respect to value and that the Special Committee was not willing to accept the proposed level of conditionality in the merger agreement. The Special Committee also discussed the merits of engaging another financial advisor to evaluate the fairness of any proposed transaction from a financial point of view to Legg Mason stockholders, and determined that it would further consider whether a second financial advisor should be engaged.

On January 31, 2020, Mr. Davidson spoke with Mr. Johnson and communicated that the January 27 Proposal did not meet the Special Committee’s expectations with respect to value and that the Special Committee was not willing to accept the proposed level of conditionality in the merger agreement. Mr. Davidson also requested that Franklin provide the Special Committee with an update regarding the status of its discussions with the Affiliate Leaders.

41

Later on January 31, 2020, the Special Committee met with representatives of Weil, Skadden and PJT Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee. During the meeting, PJT Partners reviewed with the Special Committee the Company Projections (as described below under the section entitled “—Certain Financial Projections Utilized in Connection with the Merger”), which updated the November Projections to reflect Legg Mason’s improved performance through the end of December 2019. The Company Projections were based on the Legg Mason management team’s multi-year plan with extrapolations for the outer years. A discussion then ensued about the Company Projections, including the growth rate and other assumptions underlying the Company Projections. Following this discussion, the Special Committee approved the Company Projections for use by PJT Partners as part of its financial analyses.

Later on January 31, 2020, representatives of Weil sent the revised merger agreement back to Willkie Farr. The key open points in the merger agreement included the level of conditionality, the size of the termination fee and the level of effort Franklin would be obligated to use to obtain the requisite antitrust approvals.

On February 3, 2020, the Special Committee held a meeting, with the other members of the Board, certain members of senior management and representatives of Weil, Skadden and PJT Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee. The Special Committee and other members of the Board discussed perspectives with respect to the risks of entering into the potential transaction with Franklin, the risks of continuing as a standalone company, the adequacy of the proposed consideration in the January 27 Proposal and the level of conditionality that would be acceptable in a potential transaction agreement. Representatives of PJT Partners reviewed its preliminary financial analyses of the potential transaction and the Company Projections authorized for its use, and responded to questions from members of the Special Committee and the Board.

Later on February 3, 2020, the Special Committee held another meeting with representatives of Weil and Skadden in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee. The Special Committee further discussed perspectives regarding proposed consideration in the January 27 Proposal and conditionality in the potential transaction. The Special Committee also considered potential benefits of engaging a second financial advisor to provide a fairness opinion with respect to a potential transaction with Franklin, and determined that Mr. Davidson would contact J.P. Morgan. During the meeting, Franklin submitted a revised proposal, consisting of all cash $50.00 per Share (which we refer to as the “February 3 Proposal”), which Franklin characterized as its “best and final offer.” The February 3 Proposal remained subject to the negotiation of a mutually acceptable definitive merger agreement with Legg Mason and voting agreement with Trian Partners, satisfactory discussions with certain Affiliate Leaders and the unanimous approval of the Board. At the Special Committee’s request, representatives of PJT Partners joined the meeting. The meeting participants discussed the February 3 Proposal and whether opportunities existed to further improve the terms of the proposed transaction, particularly as to consideration and conditionality. Subsequently during the meeting, representatives of Willkie Farr submitted a revised merger agreement to representatives of Weil, as well as drafts of the agreements with certain Affiliate Leaders that Franklin proposed to enter into with such Affiliate Leaders concurrently with the execution of the merger agreement. Following the meeting, Mr. Davidson, on behalf of the Special Committee, instructed Weil to continue to negotiate with Willkie Farr to resolve the open points in the merger agreement.

On February 4, 2020, the Board held a meeting with representatives of Weil, Skadden and PJT Partners in attendance. Representatives of PJT Partners reviewed its preliminary financial analyses with respect to the February 3 Proposal, and responded to questions from the Board. The Board discussed the price per share of Legg Mason common stock proposed by Franklin in the February 3 Proposal and what level of conditionality may be acceptable in the transaction.

Later on February 4, 2020, the Special Committee held a meeting with certain Affiliate Leaders, with representatives of Weil, Skadden, and PJT Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee, to discuss the Affiliate Leaders’ perspectives on strategies for improving the performance of Legg Mason and increasing Legg Mason stockholder value on a standalone basis. Thereafter, the Special Committee and its advisors met separately with certain Affiliate Leaders to solicit their views with respect to the proposed transaction with Franklin. Each Affiliate Leader expressed support for the proposed transaction with Franklin.

42

On February 5, 2020, with the approval of the Special Committee, Mr. Peltz met with Mr. Nicholls to seek an increase in the per share price and discuss how to increase deal certainty.

On February 6, 2020, the Special Committee held a meeting with representatives of Weil, Skadden and PJT Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee. The Special Committee reviewed the status of the potential transaction and Mr. Davidson provided an update with respect to the discussions Mr. Peltz had with representatives of Franklin. A discussion ensued among the meeting participants regarding the remaining open issues in the merger agreement, including the size of the termination fee, the level of conditionality in the merger agreement, whether Legg Mason should have the ability to pay to its stockholders at closing apro-rated portion of its regular quarterly dividend, and a request by Franklin to have the ability to delay closing in order to continue to solicit approvals of stockholders of Legg Mason’s public funds beyond the date when all of the merger closing conditions were satisfied or waived. The Special Committee instructed Weil to revise the merger agreement to limit the closing conditions and allow for Legg Mason to pay a pro rata dividend for the quarter in which the transaction closes. Later that day, representatives of Weil sent a revised draft of the merger agreement to Willkie Farr.

On February 7, 2020, the Special Committee held a meeting with representatives of Weil, Skadden and PJT Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee. The Special Committee reviewed the status of the potential transaction with Franklin and the discussions held between Mr. Peltz and representatives of Franklin. Mr. Peltz reported that Franklin was willing to accept that Franklin would be obligated to use its best efforts to obtain the requisite antitrust approvals, including divesting assets if required, but was not willing to increase the per share price.

On February 8, 2020, Willkie Farr sent a revised draft of the merger agreement to Weil. The key open points in the merger agreement included the timing of closing, the ability of Legg Mason to pay a pro rata dividend for the quarter during which the closing occurs and certain of the conditions to closing.

On February 9, 2020, the Special Committee held a meeting with representatives of Weil, Skadden and PJT Partners in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee to receive an update on the status of the potential transaction with Franklin. A discussion ensued regarding the timing that would be required to finalize the transaction terms and the path to resolving all open points in the merger agreement. The Special Committee then instructed Weil to continue to negotiate with Willkie Farr to resolve the remaining open points in the merger agreement.

On February 10, 2020, counsel to Trian Partners sent comments to Willkie Farr on the draft of the voting agreement that had previously been received by Weil from Willkie Farr and provided to counsel to Trian Partners at the instruction of the Special Committee. From February 10, 2020 until February 14, 2020, Trian Partners’ counsel and Willkie Farr exchanged drafts of the voting agreement. The main points of negotiation in the voting agreement were when the voting agreement would terminate and the circumstances in which Trian Partners’ obligation to vote in favor of the merger would cease.

On February 11, 2020, Weil sent a revised draft of the merger agreement to Willkie Farr. The open points in the merger agreement included Legg Mason’s ability to pay a pro rata dividend in the quarter that closing occurs and Franklin’s ability to delay closing in order to continue to solicit approvals of stockholders of Legg Mason’s public funds beyond the date when all other closing conditions were satisfied or waived.

On February 12, 2020, Legg Mason executed an engagement letter with J.P. Morgan, as second financial advisor.

On February 12, 2020, Weil sent Willkie Farr a draft of Legg Mason’s disclosure schedules. From February 12, 2020 through February 17, 2020, Weil and Willkie Farr exchanged drafts of the disclosure schedules and held conference calls together with representatives of Legg Mason and Franklin to finalize them.

43

On February 14, 2020, the Special Committee and the Board held a joint meeting with certain members of senior management and representatives of Weil, Skadden, PJT Partners and J.P. Morgan in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee and the Board. During the meeting, each of PJT Partners and J.P. Morgan reviewed its financial analyses with the Special Committee and the Board. Representatives of Weil reviewed with the Special Committee and the Board their fiduciary duties and updated the Board on the terms of the merger agreement. Following the review of the merger agreement, the Board discussed whether Legg Mason should request a reverse termination fee in the event that Franklin terminates the merger agreement because Legg Mason failed to obtain a certain percentage of client consents by the outside date. The Board also discussed whether Legg Mason should continue to seek to be allowed to pay a pro rata dividend to its stockholders in the quarter that closing occurs. The Board then directed Weil and PJT Partners to negotiate such points with Franklin’s advisors.

Following the meeting, until February 17, 2020, Weil and Willkie Farr exchanged drafts of the transaction documents and held calls to resolve the remaining open points in the merger agreement and disclosure schedules.

On the morning of February 15, 2020, PJT Partners, at the instruction of the Board, communicated to Broadhaven the Board’s position with respect to a proposed reverse termination fee in the event that consent from clients representing an agreed percentage of revenue had not been achieved by the outside date and as a result, Franklin terminated the merger agreement. PJT Partners also communicated the Board’s position that Legg Mason should be able to pay a pro rata dividend in the quarter closing occurs. After discussion, Franklin accepted the reverse termination fee and agreed that if the record date for Legg Mason’s dividend would have occurred within ten (10) business days following the closing, Legg Mason would be able to pay its full quarterly dividend (with the timing of the record date substantially consistent with that of the dividend paid by Legg Mason for the corresponding quarter during its most recent fiscal year).

On February 16, 2020, Willkie Farr provided to Weil final drafts of the agreements with the Affiliate Leaders, which provided for the (i) issuance of shares of Franklin common stock with an aggregate value of up to approximately $350 million to senior executives of certain of Legg Mason’s independent asset management subsidiaries, subject to vesting and holding requirements, the maintenance of the revenue sharing arrangements with certain of such asset management subsidiaries and the entry into certain retention arrangements, (ii) the payout of certain existing equity awards in a Legg Mason independent asset management subsidiary held by management of that subsidiary over an agreed fixed schedule, and (iii) the acquisition of Legg Mason’s sixty-five percent (65%) interest in EnTrust Global by EnTrust Global management upon the consummation of the potential transaction between Legg Mason and Franklin. These agreements provide that in the event that the Board exercises its right in accordance with the merger agreement to engage in discussions or negotiations with a third party with respect to a superior acquisition proposal, so long as the Board is engaged in such discussions or negotiations, the Affiliate Leaders also may engage in discussions or negotiations or enter into agreements with such third party (so long as any such agreements are entered into concurrently with the termination of the merger agreement). These agreements also contain various restrictive covenants and automatically terminate upon the termination of the merger agreement. Also on February 16, 2020, Willkie Farr provided to Weil a draft of Franklin’s disclosure schedules.

On February 17, 2020, the Special Committee and the Board held a joint meeting with certain members of senior management and representatives of Weil, Skadden, PJT Partners and J.P. Morgan in attendance at the invitation of the Special Committee and the Board. At the request of the Special Committee and the Board, representatives of each of PJT Partners and J.P. Morgan rendered its oral opinion to the Special Committee and to the Board (subsequently confirmed in writing), that, as of the date thereof, and based upon and subject to, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered, and qualifications and limitations on the reviews undertaken by PJT Partners and J.P. Morgan respectively in connection with each opinion (which are stated in the written opinions), the merger consideration to be received by the holders of shares of Legg Mason common stock pursuant to the merger was fair to such holders from a financial point of view. The full text of PJT Partners’ written opinion and J.P. Morgan’s written opinion, which describe, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered, and qualifications and limitations on the review

44

undertaken by PJT Partners and J.P. Morgan respectively in connection with each opinion are attached asAnnexes C andD respectively. Weil reviewed with the Board the final terms of the merger agreement and the terms of the agreements with the Affiliate Leaders. The members of the Board not on the Special Committee then left the meeting so that the Special Committee could review and consider the transaction. After discussion, the Special Committee unanimously resolved to recommend the proposed transaction to the Board. The members of the Board not on the Special Committee returned to the meeting and the Special Committee delivered its recommendation to the Board. After discussion, the Board unanimously (i) declared that the merger, the merger agreement and the other transactions contemplated thereby were advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, Legg Mason and its stockholders, (ii) approved the merger agreement and the other transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, (iii) directed that the merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby be submitted for consideration by the holders of shares of Legg Mason common stock at a special meeting of the stockholders of Legg Mason, and (iv) resolved, to recommend that the holders of the shares of Legg Mason common stock approve the merger, the merger agreement and the other transactions contemplated thereby.

Later on February 17, 2020, Franklin and Legg Mason exchanged and released signature pages to the merger agreement and Trian Partners and Franklin released signature pages to the voting agreement.

On February 18, 2020, Legg Mason and Franklin issued a joint press release announcing the transaction prior to the NYSE market opening.

Recommendation of the Special Committee

At a joint meeting of the Special Committee and the Board on February 17, 2020, after having undertaken a thorough review of, and having carefully considered the factors described below in the section entitled “—Reasons for Recommending the Approval of the Merger and the Other Transactions Contemplated by the Merger Agreement,” and such other matters as it considered necessary or appropriate, including detailed discussions with Legg Mason’s management and its legal and financial advisors, the Special Committee unanimously determined that the merger, the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby are fair to and in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders and that the merger consideration, the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby are advisable and unanimously recommended that the Board:

Recommendation of the Board

At a joint meeting of the Special Committee and the Board on February 17, 2020, after having undertaken a thorough review of, and having carefully considered the factors described below in the section entitled “—Reasons for Recommending the Approval of the Merger and the Other Transactions Contemplated by the Merger Agreement”, the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee and such other matters as it considered necessary or appropriate, including detailed discussions with Legg Mason’s management and its legal and financial advisors, the Board unanimously:

45

Accordingly, the Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

The Board also unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” thenon-binding compensation advisory proposal and “FOR” the approval of the proposal to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies in favor of the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement if there are insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

Reasons for Recommending the Approval of the Merger and the Other Transactions Contemplated by the Merger Agreement

In making its unanimous recommendation to the Board, the Special Committee consulted with Legg Mason’s management and its legal and financial advisors, and reviewed a significant amount of information and considered a number of factors, including, without limitation, those listed below. In unanimously determining that the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, Legg Mason and its stockholders and unanimously recommending to stockholders that they approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, the Board consulted with Legg Mason’s management and the Board’s legal and financial advisors, received and considered the recommendation from the Special Committee and reviewed a significant amount of information and considered a number of factors, including, without limitation, those listed below.

The Special Committee made its recommendation regarding the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement to the Board, and the Board made its determination regarding the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and its recommendation to the stockholders, based upon the totality of the information presented and considered by it. The following summary of the information and factors considered by the Special Committee and the Board is not intended to be exhaustive and are not presented in order of priority, but includes a summary of the information and principal factors considered by the Special Committee and the Board in their consideration of the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. The recommendation of the Special Committee and the determination and recommendation of the Board was made after consideration of all of the factors noted below and other factors and in light of the Special Committee’s and the Board’s knowledge of the business, financial condition and prospects of Legg Mason and after consultation with Legg Mason’s management and the Special Committee’s and the Board’s respective legal and financial advisors.

Information Considered

In making its determination and recommendation, the Special Committee and the Board, as applicable, considered and relied on extensive information, advice and analysis, including, without limitation (not necessarily in order of relative importance):

46

Benefits of the Merger

In making its recommendation and determination, the Special Committee and the Board, as applicable, considered a number of potential benefits of the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement to Legg Mason and its stockholders including, without limitation, the following principal factors (not necessarily in order of relative importance):

47

48

Risks and Potential Negative Factors

In the course of its deliberations, the Special Committee and the Board also considered certain risks and other potentially negative factors concerning the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger Agreement, including, without limitation (not necessarily in order of relative importance):

49

The Special Committee and the Board, with the assistance of Legg Mason’s management and the Special Committee’s and the Board’s legal and financial advisors, assessed these risks and concluded that the potential benefits of the merger agreement, if it is completed, were sufficient to justify proceeding with the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

In view of the wide variety of factors considered in connection with its evaluation of the merger and the complexity of these matters, the Special Committee and the Board did not find it practicable to, and did not, quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors considered in reaching its determination and recommendation. In addition, individual Special Committee members and individual directors may have given different weights to different factors. The Special Committee and the Board did not undertake to make any specific determination as to whether, or to what extent, any factor, or any particular aspect of any factor, supported or did not support its ultimate determination. The Special Committee and the Board based its recommendation on the totality of the information presented, including the factors described above. The Special Committee’s and the Board’s reasons for recommending the approval of the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement include certain assumptions relating to forward-looking information, and such information and assumptions are subject to various risks. See “Risk Factors” in Legg Mason’s annual report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019 and the section entitled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” beginning on page 20.

Recommendation of the Company’s Board of Directors

After careful consideration, and the recommendation of the Special Committee, the Board has unanimously approved the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and determined that the merger, the merger agreement, and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are advisable and fair to and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

Certain Financial Projections Utilized in Connection with the Merger

Legg Mason does not as a matter of course make public long-term forecasts as to future performance or other prospective financial information beyond the current year, and Legg Mason is especially wary of making forecasts or projections for extended periods due to the unpredictability of the underlying assumptions and estimates. However, the Company provided PJT Partners and J.P. Morgan with internal financial forecasts relating to the Company prepared by the management of the Company for fiscal years 2020 through 2022 that werepro-rated to equivalent calendar years while also extrapolating to calendar years 2022 through 2024 based on hypothetical assumptions for flows, markets and inflation and operating margin (which we refer to as the “Company Projections”). PJT Partners and J.P. Morgan were directed to use and rely upon the Company Projections for purposes of their financial analysis and fairness opinions and such use was approved for PJT Partners’ and J.P. Morgan’s use by the Board and the Special Committee.

The Company Projections were based on numerous variables and assumptions made by Company management at the time prepared, including with respect to industry performance, general business, economic, regulatory, market and financial conditions and other future events, as well as matters specific to the Company.

50

The following table presents a summary of the Company Projections (based on best estimates at the time of preparation of the numerous variables noted above):

The inclusion of information about the Company Projections in this proxy statement should not be regarded as an indication that any of the Company, Franklin or any other recipient of this information considered, or now considers, it necessarily predictive of actual future results or material information given the inherent risks and uncertainties associated with such forecasts and the Company Projections should not be relied upon as predictive of future results or material information.

Legg Mason has included a summary of the Company Projections for the purpose of providing stockholders and investors access to certainnon-public information that was furnished to third parties and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company Projections are subjective in many respects and thus subject to interpretation. Although presented with numeric specificity, the Company Projections reflect numerous estimates and assumptions with respect to industry performance and competition, general business, economic, market and financial conditions and matters specific to the Company’s business, including the factors listed under “Risk Factors” set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form10-K (as updated by subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form10-Q, all of which are filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference into this proxy statement), all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company’s control. The Company Projections also reflect numerous variables, expectations and assumptions available at the time they were prepared as to certain business decisions that are subject to change. As a result, actual results may differ materially from those contained in the Company Projections. The Company cannot provide any assurance that the assumptions underlying the Company Projections will be realized.

Many of the assumptions reflected in the Company Projections are subject to change and the Company Projections do not reflect revised prospects for the Company’s business, changes in general business or economic conditions or any other transaction or event that has occurred or that may occur and that was not anticipated at the time such financial information was prepared. The Company has not updated and does not intend to update or otherwise revise the Company Projections to reflect circumstances existing after the date the Company Projections were generated or to reflect the occurrence of future events, even in the event that any or all of the assumptions underlying the Company Projections are shown to be in error. There can be no assurance that the results reflected in the Company Projections will be realized or that actual results will not materially vary from the Company Projections. The Company Projections cover multiple years and such information by its nature becomes less predictive with each successive year. Therefore, the Company Projections included in this proxy statement should not be relied on as necessarily predictive of actual future events nor construed as financial guidance.

None of Legg Mason or its affiliates, advisors, officers, directors or representatives has made or makes any representation to any stockholder or other person regarding Legg Mason’s ultimate performance compared to the

51

information contained in the Company Projections or that the Company Projections will be achieved. Legg Mason has made no representation to Franklin, in the merger agreement or otherwise, concerning the Company Projections.

Legg Mason stockholders are urged to review the Company’s most recent SEC filings for a description of risk factors with respect to the Company’s business. You should read the section entitled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” beginning on page 20 for additional information regarding the risks inherent in forward-looking information such as the Company Projections and the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 106.

The Company Projections were not prepared with a view toward public disclosure nor toward complying with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (which we refer to as “GAAP”) (including because certain metrics arenon-GAAP measures, and the forecasts contained therein do not include footnote disclosures as may be required by GAAP), the published guidelines of the SEC regarding projections or the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for preparation and presentation of prospective financial information. The Company Projections included in this proxy statement have been prepared by, and are the responsibility of, the Company’s management. The Company’s independent auditor has not audited, reviewed, examined, compiled nor applied agreed-upon procedures with respect to the accompanying Company Projections and, accordingly, the Company’s independent auditor does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto. The Company’s independent auditor report incorporated by reference in this proxy statement relates to the Company’s previously issued financial statements. It does not extend to the Company Projections and should not be read to do so.Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information presented in compliance with GAAP, andnon-GAAP financial measures such as those used in the Company Projections may not be comparable to similarly titled amounts used by other companies or persons.

The information about the Company Projections set forth above does not give effect to the merger and also does not take into account the effect of any failure of the merger to be consummated.

The Company Projections are not included in this proxy statement to influence your decision or induce any Company stockholder to vote in favor of the merger agreement or any other proposals to be voted on at the special meeting, but instead to provide Company stockholders access to certainnon-public information that was made available to the Special Committee, the Board, Legg Mason’s financial advisors and Franklin.

THE COMPANY DOES NOT INTEND TO UPDATE OR OTHERWISE REVISE THE COMPANY PROJECTIONS TO REFLECT CIRCUMSTANCES EXISTING AFTER THE DATE WHEN MADE OR TO REFLECT THE OCCURRENCE OF FUTURE EVENTS, EVEN IN THE EVENT THAT ANY OR ALL OF THE ASSUMPTIONS UNDERLYING SUCH FORECASTS ARE NOT REALIZED.

Opinion of PJT Partners LP

PJT Partners was retained by the Board and the Special Committee to act as their financial advisor in connection with the merger and upon the Board’s and Special Committee’s request, to render its fairness opinion to the Board and the Special Committee in connection therewith. The Board and the Special Committee selected PJT Partners to act as its financial advisor based on PJT Partners’ qualifications, expertise and reputation, its knowledge of the Company’s industry and its knowledge and understanding of the business and affairs of the Company. At a meeting of the Board and Special Committee on February 17, 2020, PJT Partners rendered its oral opinion, subsequently confirmed in its written opinion dated February 17, 2020, that, as of the date thereof and based upon and subject to, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations of the review undertaken by PJT Partners in connection with the opinion (which are stated in its written opinion), the merger consideration to be received by the holders of Shares was fair to such holders from a financial point of view.

52

The full text of PJT Partners’ written opinion delivered to the Board and the Special Committee, dated February 17, 2020, is attached asAnnex C and incorporated into this proxy statement by reference in its entirety. PJT Partners’ written opinion has been provided by PJT Partners at the request of the Board and Special Committee and is subject to, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations upon the review undertaken by PJT Partners in connection with the opinion (which are stated therein). You are encouraged to read the opinion carefully in its entirety. PJT Partners provided its opinion to the Board and Special Committee in its capacity as such, in connection with and for purposes of their evaluation of the merger only and PJT Partners’ opinion does not constitute a recommendation as to any action the Board or Special Committee should take with respect to the merger or how any holder of the Company common stock should vote or act with respect to the merger or any other matter. The following is a summary of PJT Partners’ opinion and the methodology that PJT Partners used to render its opinion. This summary of the PJT Partners opinion contained in this proxy statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the PJT Partners’ written opinion.

In arriving at its opinion, PJT Partners, among other things:

In preparing its opinion, with the consent of the Board and the Special Committee, PJT Partners relied upon and assumed the accuracy and completeness of the foregoing information and all other information discussed with or reviewed by PJT Partners, without independent verification thereof. PJT Partners assumed, with the consent of the Board and the Special Committee, that the Company Projections and the assumptions underlying the Company Projections and all other financial analyses, estimates and forecasts that were prepared by or at the direction of the Company management and approved for PJT Partners’ use by the Board and the Special Committee, were reasonably prepared in accordance with industry practice and represent the Company’s best then-currently available estimates and judgments as to the business and operations and future financial performance of the Company. PJT Partners assumed no responsibility for and expressed no opinion as to the Company Projections, the assumptions upon which they were based or any other financial analyses, estimates and forecasts provided to PJT Partners by Company management, the Board or the Special Committee. PJT Partners also assumed with the consent of the Board and the Special Committee that there were no material changes in the assets, financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company since the

53

respective dates of the last financial statements of the Company made available to PJT Partners. PJT Partners relied, with the consent of the Board and the Special Committee, upon the Company management’s representations and/or projections regarding taxable income, standalone net operating loss utilization and other tax attributes of the Company. PJT Partners further relied, with the consent of the Board and the Special Committee, upon the assurances of the Company’s management that it was not aware of any facts that would make the information and projections provided by it inaccurate, incomplete or misleading.

PJT Partners was not asked to undertake, and did not undertake, an independent verification of any information provided to or reviewed by it, nor was it furnished with any such verification, and it did not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness thereof. PJT Partners did not conduct a physical inspection of any of the properties or assets of the Company. PJT Partners did not make an independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or the liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of the Company, nor was it furnished with any such evaluations or appraisals, nor did it evaluate the solvency of the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any applicable laws.

PJT Partners also assumed, with the consent of the Board and the Special Committee, that the final executed form of the merger agreement and the voting agreement would not differ in any material respects from the drafts reviewed by PJT Partners and that the consummation of the merger would be effected in accordance with the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, without waiver, modification or amendment of any material term, condition or agreement, and that, in the course of obtaining the necessary regulatory or third party consents and approvals (contractual or otherwise) for the merger, no delay, limitation, restriction or condition would be imposed that would have an adverse effect on the contemplated benefits of the merger. PJT Partners did not express any opinion as to any tax or other consequences that might result from the merger, nor did its opinion address any legal, tax, regulatory or accounting matters, as to which PJT Partners understood that the Company obtained such advice as it deemed necessary from qualified professionals. PJT Partners is not a legal, tax or regulatory advisor and relied upon without independent verification the assessment of the Company and its legal, tax and regulatory advisors with respect to such matters. PJT Partners did not express any opinion as to the relative fairness of the consideration to be received by any one holder of Company common stock as compared to any other holder of Company common stock.

In arriving at its opinion, PJT Partners was not asked to solicit, and did not solicit, interest from any party with respect to any sale, acquisition, business combination or other extraordinary transaction involving the Company or its assets. PJT Partners did not consider the relative merits of the merger as compared to any other business plan or opportunity that might be available to the Company or the effect of any other arrangement in which the Company might engage and PJT Partners’ opinion did not address the underlying decision by Company to engage in the merger. PJT Partners’ opinion is limited to the fairness as of the date of the opinion, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Company common stock of the consideration to be received by such holders in the merger, and PJT Partners’ opinion does not address any other aspect or implication of the merger, the merger agreement, the voting agreement or any other agreement or understanding entered into in connection with the merger or otherwise. PJT Partners further expressed no opinion or view as to the fairness of the merger to the holders of any other class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of the Company or as to the underlying decision by the Company to engage in the merger. PJT Partners also expressed no opinion as to the fairness of the amount or nature of the compensation to any of the Company’s affiliates, officers, directors or employees, or any class of such persons, relative to the consideration or otherwise. PJT Partners’ opinion was necessarily based upon economic, market, monetary, regulatory and other conditions as they existed and could be evaluated, and the information made available to PJT Partners, as of the date of the opinion. PJT Partners expressed no opinion as to the prices or trading ranges at which the Company common stock will trade at any time. PJT Partners assumed no responsibility for updating or revising its opinion based on circumstances or events occurring after the date of the opinion. The issuance of PJT Partners’ opinion was approved by a fairness committee of PJT Partners in accordance with established procedures.

PJT Partners’ advisory services and opinion were provided for the information and assistance of the Board and the Special Committee in connection with their consideration of the merger and the opinion did not constitute a

54

recommendation as to any action the Board or Special Committee should take with respect to the merger or any aspect thereof, and does not constitute a recommendation to any holder of the Company common stock as to how any stockholder should vote with respect to the merger or any other matter.

Summary of Financial Analyses

In connection with rendering its opinion, PJT Partners performed certain financial, comparative and other analyses as summarized below. In arriving at its opinion, PJT Partners did not ascribe a specific range of values to the Shares but rather made its determination as to fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of the Company’s common stock of the consideration to be received by such holders pursuant to the merger agreement on the basis of various financial and comparative analyses. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and involves various determinations as to the most appropriate and relevant methods of financial and comparative analyses and the application of those methods to the particular circumstances. Therefore, a fairness opinion is not readily susceptible to summary description.

In arriving at its opinion, PJT Partners did not attribute any particular weight to any single analysis or factor considered by it but rather made qualitative judgments as to the significance and relevance of each analysis and factor relative to all other analyses and factors performed and considered by it and in the context of the circumstances of the merger. Accordingly, PJT Partners believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole, as considering any portion of such analyses and factors, without considering all analyses and factors as a whole, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the process underlying its opinion.

The following is a summary of the material financial analyses used by PJT Partners in preparing its opinion to the Board and Special Committee. Certain financial analyses summarized below include information presented in tabular format. In order to fully understand the financial analyses used by PJT Partners, the tables must be read together with the text of each summary, as the tables alone do not constitute a complete description of the financial analyses. In performing its analyses, PJT Partners made numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, general business and economic conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of the Company or any other parties to the merger. None of the Company, the Board, the Special Committee, PJT Partners, or any other person assumes responsibility if future results are materially different from those discussed. Any estimates contained in these analyses are not necessarily indicative of actual values or predictive of future results or values, which may be significantly more or less favorable than as set forth below. In addition, analyses relating to the value of the businesses do not purport to be appraisals or reflect the prices at which the businesses may actually be sold. The financial analyses summarized below were based on the Company Projections and other financial information prepared and furnished to PJT Partners by or on behalf of the management of the Company and approved for PJT Partners’ use by the Board and Special Committee. The following summary does not purport to be a complete description of the financial analyses performed by PJT Partners. The following quantitative information, to the extent that it is based on market data, is based on market data as it existed, for the Company as of the closing trading price on February 14, 2020 (which represented the last trading day for Company common stock prior to the date of the PJT Partners’ opinion), and is not necessarily indicative of current or future market conditions. Fully diluted share numbers for the Company used below were provided by the Company’s management.

55

Selected Precedent Transaction Analysis

PJT Partners reviewed, to the extent publicly available, and analyzed the valuation and financial metrics relating to the following five transactions involving companies in the asset management business, which PJT Partners in its professional judgment considered generally relevant for comparative purposes:

PJT Partners reviewed the following ratios and multiples: (i) the stock price of each target company as a multiple of last twelve month (“LTM”) earnings per share adjusted to take into account merger-related amortization (“EPS”), and (ii) total enterprise value (calculated as the equity value based on fully diluted shares outstanding, plus debt and less cash, and adjusted for minority interest, preferred stock and others) (“TEV”) of each target company as a multiple of LTM EBITDA (calculated as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, and adjusting for restructuring costs and affiliate charges) (“TEV / EBITDA”). All of these calculations were performed and based on publicly available financial data and, on closing share prices for each comparable company, as of February 14, 2020.

The reasons for and the circumstances surrounding each of the selected precedent transactions analyzed were diverse and there are inherent differences in the business, operations, financial conditions and prospects of the Company and the companies included in the selected precedent transaction analysis. In addition, certain of the selected precedent transactions involved stock consideration rather than cash consideration, and the selected precedent transactions occurred during periods in which financial, economic and market conditions were different from those in existence as of the date of PJT Partners’ opinion. Accordingly, PJT Partners believed, and discussed with the Company’s Special Committee, that a purely quantitative selected precedent transaction analysis would not be particularly meaningful in the context of considering the merger and did not consider the stock price to LTM EPS (“P / EPS”) multiple or the TEV to EBITDA multiple of any one selected precedent transaction individually to be more relevant than the same multiple for any other selected precedent transaction. PJT Partners therefore made qualitative judgments concerning the differences between the characteristics of the selected precedent transactions and the merger that would affect the acquisition equity values of the selected target companies and the Company.

After reviewing the above analyses, PJT Partners selected a stock price to EPS multiple range of 11.5x to 13.5x for 2019 EPS, and applied such range to the Company’s 2019 EPS to calculate a range of implied per share equity values for the Company as of February 14, 2020. PJT Partners selected a TEV to EBITDA multiple range of 8.0x to 10.0x, and applied such range to the Company’s 2019 EBITDA included in the Company Projections to calculate a range of implied per share equity values for the Company as of February 14, 2020. At the direction of Company management, PJT Partners used the assumption applying a 75% credit to the Company’s estimated net operating loss carry-forwards balance as of December 31, 2019. The following summarizes the result of these calculations:

56

PJT Partners then compared these ranges of implied per share equity values of the Company’s common stock to the30-day VWAP of the Company’s common stock of $38.51 as of February 14, 2020 and the merger consideration of $50.00 per Share.

Selected Comparable Company Analysis

In order to assess how the public market values shares of similar publicly traded companies and to provide a range of relative implied equity values per share of the Company’s common stock by reference to these companies, which could then be used to calculate implied per share equity value ranges, PJT Partners reviewed and compared specific financial, operating and public trading data relating to the Company with selected companies in the asset management industry that PJT Partners deemed comparable to the Company and relevant for purposes of this analysis. The selected comparable companies were Affiliated Managers Group, Inc., AllianceBernstein Holding L.P., Ameriprise Financial, Inc., Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc., BlackRock, Inc., BrightSphere Investment Group Inc., Cohen & Steers, Inc., Eaton Vance Corp., Federated Hermes, Inc. (f/k/a Federated Investors, Inc.), Invesco Ltd., Janus Henderson Group plc, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., Victory Capital Holdings, Inc., Virtus Investment Partners, Inc., Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. and Wisdom Tree Investments Inc.

As part of its selected comparable company analysis, PJT Partners calculated and analyzed the following ratios and multiples: (i) the stock price of each selected company as a multiple of 2020 calendar year estimated (“2020E”) EPS (“P / 2020E EPS”), and (ii) TEV of each selected company as a multiple of 2020E EBITDA (“TEV / 2020E EBITDA”). All of these calculations were performed and based on publicly available financial data and, on closing share prices for each comparable company, as of February 14, 2020.

PJT Partners, based on its professional judgment, selected the comparable companies because PJT Partners believed their businesses, operating and public trading profiles are reasonably similar to those of the Company. However, because of the inherent differences between the businesses, operations and prospects of the Company and those of the selected comparable companies, PJT Partners believed that it was inappropriate to, and therefore did not, rely solely on the quantitative results of the selected comparable company analysis. Accordingly, PJT Partners also made qualitative judgments concerning differences between the public trading histories, businesses, financial and operating characteristics and prospects of the Company and the selected comparable companies that could affect the public trading values of each in order to provide a context in which to consider the results of the quantitative analysis. These qualitative judgments related primarily to the differing sizes, growth prospects, profitability levels and degree of operational risk between the Company, as applicable, and the companies included in the selected company analysis.

Based upon these judgments, PJT Partners selected a stock price to EPS multiple range of 8.5x to 10.5x for 2020E EPS, and applied such ranges to the Company’s 2020E EPS to calculate a range of implied per share equity values for the Company as of February 14, 2020. PJT Partners selected a TEV to EBITDA multiple range of 6.0x to 8.0x for 2020E and applied such range to the Company’s 2020E EBITDA included in the Company Projections to calculate a range of implied per share equity values for the Company as of February 14, 2020. At the direction of Company management, PJT Partners used the assumption applying a 75% credit to the Company’s estimated net operating loss carry-forwards balance as of December 31, 2019. The following summarizes the results of these calculations.

57

PJT Partners then compared these ranges of implied per share equity values of the Company’s common stock to the30-day VWAP of the Company’s common stock of $38.51 as of February 14, 2020 and the merger consideration of $50.00 per Share.

Discounted Cash Value Analysis

In order to estimate the present value of the Company’s common stock, PJT Partners performed a discounted cash flow analysis of the Company. A discounted cash flow analysis is a traditional valuation methodology used to derive a valuation of an asset by calculating the “present value” of estimated future cash flows generated by the asset. “Present value” refers to the current value of future cash flows or amounts and is obtained by discounting those future cash flows or amounts by a discount rate that takes into account macroeconomic assumptions and estimates of risk, the opportunity cost of capital, expected returns and other appropriate factors.

To calculate the estimated enterprise value of the Company using the discounted cash flow method, PJT Partners added (i) the Company’s estimated unlevered free cash flows for the period from December 31, 2020 through December 31, 2024 based on the Company Projections to (ii) ranges of terminal values of the Company as of December 31, 2024, and discounted such amounts to their present value as of December 31, 2019 using a range of selected discount rates.

The residual value of the Company at the end of the projection period, or terminal value, was estimated by applying an exit multiple range of 6.5x to 8.5x selected by PJT Partners in its professional judgment to the Company’s 2024 calendar year estimated (“2024E”) EBITDA and applying a perpetuity growth rate range of 0.2% to 0.8% to the Company’s 2024E unlevered free cash flow. The unlevered free cash flows and terminal values were then discounted to present value as of December 31, 2019 using discount rates ranging from 9.0% to 11.0%, which were selected based on PJT Partners’ analysis of the weighted average cost of capital of the Company.

PJT Partners then calculated a range of implied equity values per share of the Company’s common stock by (i) adding the Company’s cash, (ii) subtracting debt, (iii) adding the value of the Company’s equity investments, and (iv) adding the present value of certain net operating losses (approximately $507 million as reflected in the Company Projections) to the estimated enterprise value derived using the discounted cash flow method and dividing such amounts by the fully diluted number of Shares as of December 31, 2019. The following summarizes the results of these calculations:

PJT Partners then compared these ranges of implied per share equity values of the Company’s common stock to the30-day VWAP of the Company’s common stock of $38.51 as of February 14, 2020 and the merger consideration of $50.00 per share of the Company’s common stock.

Other Information

PJT Partners also observed the additional factors described below, which were not considered part of its financial analyses in connection with rendering its opinion, but were referenced solely for informational purposes:

58

General

The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and is not necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. Selecting portions of the analyses or of the summary set forth above, without considering the analyses as a whole, could create an incomplete view of the processes underlying PJT Partners’ opinion. In arriving at its fairness determination, PJT Partners considered the results of all of its analyses and did not attribute any particular weight to any factor or analysis considered by it. Rather, PJT Partners made its determination as to fairness on the basis of its experience and professional judgment after considering the results of all of its analyses. No company or transaction used in the above analyses as a comparison is directly comparable to the Company or the merger. The terms of the merger agreement, including the merger consideration, were determined througharm’s-length negotiations among the Company, Franklin and Merger Sub, rather than PJT Partners, and the decision to enter into the merger agreement was solely that of the Company, Franklin and Merger Sub.

PJT Partners prepared these analyses for purposes of providing its opinion to the Board and the Special Committee as to the fairness from a financial point of view, as of the date of the written opinion of PJT Partners, of the consideration to be received by the holders of Shares pursuant to the merger. These analyses do not purport to be appraisals nor do they necessarily reflect the prices at which businesses or securities actually may be sold. Analyses based upon forecasts of future results are not necessarily indicative of actual future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by these analyses. Because these analyses are inherently subject to uncertainty, being based upon numerous factors or events beyond the control of the parties or their respective advisors, none of the Company, the Board, the Special Committee, PJT Partners or any other person assumes responsibility if future results are materially different from those forecast.

PJT Partners is an internationally recognized investment banking firm and, as part of its investment banking activities, is regularly engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, investments for passive and control purposes, negotiated underwritings, competitive bids, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements and valuations for estate, corporate and other purposes.

The Board and the Special Committee selected PJT Partners to act as their financial advisor because of its qualifications, reputation and experience in the valuation of businesses and securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions.

PJT Partners is acting as financial advisor to the Board and the Special Committee in connection with the merger. As compensation for its services in connection with the merger, PJT Partners is entitled to receive from the Company a $5 million opinion fee which became payable when the opinion was rendered to the board and the Special Committee and is creditable against a transaction fee that is payable contingent upon the consummation of the merger, which is currently estimated, as of March 23, 2020, to be $41 million. The Company has agreed to

59

reimburse PJT Partners for certainout-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the merger and to indemnify PJT Partners for certain liabilities that may arise out of the performance of such services (including the rendering of PJT Partners’ opinion).

In the ordinary course of PJT Partners and its affiliates’ businesses, PJT Partners and its affiliates may provide investment banking and other financial services to the Company and Franklin and their respective affiliates and may receive compensation for the rendering of these services. During the two years preceding the date of its written opinion, PJT Partners and certain of its affiliated entities advised or were advising (i) the Company in connection with certain matters for which it has received fees (ii) creditor groups which have included an affiliate of the Company in connection with distressed situations of third parties for which PJT Partners has received or may in the future receive fees which have been or are expected to be paid by such third parties, and (iii) creditor groups which have included subsidiaries or affiliates of Franklin in connection with distressed situations of third parties for which PJT Partners has received or may in the future receive fees which have been or are expected to be paid by such third parties.

Opinion of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

Pursuant to an engagement letter, the Company, including the Special Committee, retained J.P. Morgan as its financial advisor in connection with the proposed merger and to deliver a fairness opinion in connection with the proposed merger.

At the meeting of the Board on February 17, 2020, J.P. Morgan rendered its oral opinion to the Board including the Special Committee that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the factors and assumptions set forth in its opinion, the merger consideration to be paid to the holders of the Company’s common stock in the proposed merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to such stockholders. J.P. Morgan has confirmed its February 17, 2020 oral opinion by delivering its written opinion to the Board including the Special Committee, dated February 17, 2020, that the merger consideration to be paid to the holders of the Company’s common stock in the proposed merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to such stockholders. The full text of the written opinion of J.P. Morgan which sets forth the assumptions made, matters considered and limits on the review undertaken, is attached asAnnex D to this proxy statement and is incorporated herein by reference. The Company’s stockholders are urged to read the opinion in its entirety. J.P. Morgan’s written opinion was addressed to the Board including the Special Committee (each in its capacity as such) and in connection with and for the purposes of its evaluation of the proposed merger, was directed only to the consideration to be paid in the merger and did not address any other aspect of the merger. J.P. Morgan expressed no opinion as to the fairness of the merger consideration to the holders of any class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of the Company or as to the underlying decision by Company to engage in the proposed merger. The issuance of J.P. Morgan’s opinion was approved by a fairness committee of J.P. Morgan. The summary of the opinion of J.P. Morgan set forth in this proxy statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such opinion. The opinion does not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder of the Company as to how such stockholder should vote with respect to the proposed merger or any other matter.

In arriving at its opinion, J.P. Morgan, among other things:

60

In addition, J.P. Morgan held discussions with certain members of the management of the Company with respect to certain aspects of the merger, and the past and current business operations of the Company, the financial condition and future prospects and operations of the Company, and certain other matters J.P. Morgan believed necessary or appropriate to its inquiry.

In giving its opinion, J.P. Morgan relied upon and assumed the accuracy and completeness of all information that was publicly available or was furnished to or discussed with J.P. Morgan by the Board, the Special Committee, the Company or otherwise reviewed by or for J.P. Morgan, and J.P. Morgan did not independently verify any such information or its accuracy or completeness and, pursuant to its engagement letter with the Company, including the Special Committee, J.P. Morgan did not assume any obligation to undertake any such independent verification. J.P. Morgan did not conduct or was not provided with any valuation or appraisal of any assets or liabilities, nor did J.P. Morgan evaluate the solvency of the Company or Franklin under any applicable laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or similar matters. In relying on financial analyses and forecasts provided to J.P. Morgan or derived therefrom, J.P. Morgan assumed that they were reasonably prepared based on assumptions reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments by management as to the expected future results of operations and financial condition of the Company to which such analyses or forecasts relate. J.P. Morgan expressed no view as to such analyses or forecasts or the assumptions on which they were based. J.P. Morgan also assumed that the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and in discussions with, and materials furnished to J.P. Morgan by, representatives of the Company, will be consummated as described in the merger agreement and this proxy statement, and that the definitive merger agreement would not differ in any material respect from the draft thereof provided to J.P. Morgan. J.P. Morgan also assumed that the representations and warranties made by the Company or Franklin in the merger agreement and the related agreements were and will be true and correct in all respects material to its analysis. J.P. Morgan is not a legal, regulatory or tax expert and relied on the assessments made by advisors to the Board, the Special Committee, or the Company with respect to such issues. J.P. Morgan further assumed that all material governmental, regulatory or other consents and approvals necessary for the consummation of the merger will be obtained without any adverse effect on the Company or on the contemplated benefits of the merger.

The projections furnished to J.P. Morgan for the Company were prepared by the Company’s management. The Company does not publicly disclose internal management projections of the type provided to J.P. Morgan in connection with J.P. Morgan’s analysis of the merger, and such projections were not prepared with a view toward public disclosure. These projections were based on numerous variables and assumptions that are inherently uncertain and may be beyond the control of management, including, without limitation, factors related to general economic and competitive conditions and prevailing interest rates. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from those set forth in such projections. For more information regarding the use of projections, please refer to the section entitled “—Certain Financial Projections Utilized in Connection with the Merger.”

J.P. Morgan’s opinion was necessarily based on economic, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to J.P. Morgan as of, the date of such opinion. J.P. Morgan’s opinion noted that subsequent developments may affect J.P. Morgan’s opinion, and that J.P. Morgan does not have any obligation to update, revise, or reaffirm such opinion. J.P. Morgan’s opinion is limited to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the consideration to be paid to the holders of the Company’s common stock in the proposed merger, and J.P. Morgan has expressed no opinion as to the fairness of any consideration to the holders of any other class of

61

securities, creditors or other constituencies of the Company or the underlying decision by the Company to engage in the merger. Furthermore, J.P. Morgan expressed no opinion with respect to the amount or nature of any compensation to any officers, directors, or employees of any party to the proposed merger, or any class of such persons relative to the merger consideration or with respect to the fairness of any such compensation.

J.P. Morgan was not authorized to and did not solicit any expressions of interest from any other parties with respect to the sale of all or any part of the Company or any alternative transaction.

The terms of the merger agreement, including the merger consideration, were determined through arm’s length negotiations among the Company, Franklin and Merger Sub, and the decision to enter into the merger agreement was solely that of the Board. J.P. Morgan’s opinion and financial analyses were only one of the many factors considered by the Board in its evaluation of the proposed merger and should not be viewed as determinative of the views of the Board or management with respect to the proposed merger or the merger consideration.

In accordance with customary investment banking practice, J.P. Morgan employed generally accepted valuation methodology in rendering its opinion to the Board, including the Special Committee, on February 17, 2020 and contained in the presentation delivered to the Board on such date in connection with the rendering of such opinion. The following is a summary of the material financial analyses utilized by J.P. Morgan in connection with rendering its opinion. The following summary, however, does not purport to be a complete description of the analyses or data presented by J.P. Morgan. Some of the summaries of the financial analyses include information presented in tabular format. The tables are not intended to stand alone, and in order to more fully understand the financial analyses used by J.P. Morgan, the tables must be read together with the full text of each summary. Considering the data set forth below without considering the full narrative description of the financial analyses, including the methodologies and assumptions underlying the analyses, could create a misleading or incomplete view of J.P. Morgan’s analyses.

Public Trading Multiples

Using publicly available information, J.P. Morgan compared selected financial data of the Company with similar data for selected publicly traded companies engaged in businesses which J.P. Morgan judged to be analogous to the Company. The companies selected by J.P. Morgan were as follows: AllianceBernstein Holding L.P., Affiliated Managers Group, Inc., BrightSphere Investment Group Inc., Eaton Vance Corp., Invesco Ltd., Janus Henderson Group plc, Franklin Resources, Inc., T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., Victory Capital Holdings, Inc. and Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.

These companies were selected, among other reasons, because they are publicly traded companies with operations and businesses that, for the purposes of J.P. Morgan’s analysis, may be considered sufficiently similar to those of the Company. However, none of the companies selected is identical to the Company, and certain of these companies may have characteristics that are materially different from those of the Company. The analyses necessarily involve complex considerations and judgments concerning differences in financial and operational characteristics of the companies involved and other factors that could affect the selected companies differently than they would affect the Company.

Using publicly available information, for each selected company, J.P. Morgan calculated the ratio of the selected company’s stock price to the consensus equity research analyst estimate for the selected company’s earnings per share adjusted to be unburdened by merger-related amortization (“Adj. EPS”) for the years ending December 31, 2020 (“P / 2020E Adj. EPS”) and December 31, 2021 (“P / 2021E Adj. EPS”).

Based on the results of this analysis and other factors J.P. Morgan considered appropriate, J.P. Morgan selected multiple reference ranges of 6.0x to 10.0x for the Company’s P / 2020E Adj. EPS and 5.5x to 9.5x for the Company’s P / 2021E Adj. EPS. After applying such ranges to the projected Adj. EPS for the Company for the years ending December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020, based on the projections provided by the Company’s

62

management, the analysis indicated the following implied per share equity value ranges for the Company’s common stock, rounded to the nearest $0.25:

The ranges of implied per share equity values for the Company’s common stock were compared to the closing share price of the Company of $40.72 on February 14, 2020 and the merger consideration of $50.00 per Share.

Selected Transaction Analysis

Using publicly available information, J.P. Morgan examined selected transactions involving companies that engaged in businesses which J.P. Morgan judged to be reasonably analogous to the business of the Company or aspects thereof. Specifically, J.P. Morgan reviewed the following transactions:

None of the selected transactions reviewed was identical to the merger. However, the selected transactions were chosen because certain aspects of the transactions, for purposes of J.P. Morgan’s analysis, may be considered sufficiently similar to the merger. The analyses necessarily involve complex considerations and judgments concerning differences in financial and operational characteristics of the companies involved and other factors that could affect the transactions differently than they would affect the merger.

Using publicly available information, for each selected transaction, J.P. Morgan calculated the ratio of the target company’s firm value implied by the transaction to the target company’s Adj. EBITDA (“Adj. EBITDA”) for the twelve-month period prior to announcement of the applicable transaction (“FV / LTM Adj. EBITDA”).

Based on the results of this analysis and other factors J.P. Morgan considered appropriate, J.P. Morgan selected a multiple reference range for FV / LTM Adj. EBITDA of 8.0x to 12.5x and applied it to the Company’s 2019 Adj. EBITDA provided by the Company’s management to calculate the Company’s firm value and imply a per share equity value of the Company’s common stock. This analysis indicated the following implied per share equity value range for the Company’s common stock, rounded to the nearest $0.25:

The range of implied per share equity values for the Company’s common stock was compared to the closing share price of the Company of $40.72 on February 14, 2020 and the merger consideration of $50.00 per Share.

Discounted Cash Flow Analysis

J.P. Morgan conducted a discounted cash flow analysis for the purpose of determining the fully diluted equity value per share for the Company’s common stock on a stand-alone basis. A discounted cash flow analysis is a

63

method of evaluating an asset using estimates of the future unlevered cash flows generated by the asset and taking into consideration the time value of money with respect to those cash flows by calculating their “present value.” For purposes of the J.P. Morgan opinion, “unlevered free cash flows” were provided by the Company’s management and consisted of the net operating profit after tax plus depreciation and amortization and less the capital expenditure, change in net working capital, andtax-affected cash restructuring cost. For the purposes of the J.P. Morgan opinion, “present value” refers to the current value of one or more future unlevered free cash flows from the asset, which we refer to as that asset’s cash flows, and is obtained by discounting those cash flows back to the present using a discount rate that takes into account macroeconomic assumptions and estimates of risk, the opportunity cost of capital, capitalized returns and other appropriate factors. For purposes of the J.P. Morgan opinion, “terminal value” refers to the capitalized value of all cash flows from an asset or periods beyond the final forecast period.

In performing this analysis, J.P. Morgan used the forecasted unlevered free cash flows that the Company would generate during fiscal years 2020 through 2024 as provided by the Company management estimates. J.P. Morgan also calculated a range of terminal values of the Company by applying perpetuity growth rates ranging from 0.5% to 1.0% to the unlevered free cash flow of the Company during the terminal year. The unlevered free cash flows and the range of terminal values were then discounted to present values as of December 31, 2019 using a range of discount rates from 9.0% to 11.0%, which were chosen by J.P. Morgan based upon an analysis of the weighted average cost of capital of the Company.

J.P. Morgan also calculated the present value of tax benefits from the Company’s estimated net operating loss carry-forwards and other tax benefits as provided by Company’s management. The cash flow benefits provided by the Company were then discounted to present value as of December 31, 2019 using a range of discount rates from 9.0% to 11.0%.

Based on the foregoing, this analysis indicated the following implied per share equity value ranges for the Company’s common stock, rounded to the nearest $0.25:

The ranges of implied per share equity values for the Company’s common stock were compared to the closing share price of the Company of $40.72 on February 14, 2020 and the merger consideration of $50.00 per share of the Company’s common stock.

Miscellaneous

The foregoing summary of certain material financial analyses does not purport to be a complete description of the analyses or data presented by J.P. Morgan. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and is not necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. J.P. Morgan believes that the foregoing summary and its analyses must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of the foregoing summary and these analyses, without considering all of its analyses as a whole, could create an incomplete view of the processes underlying the analyses and its opinion. As a result, the ranges of valuations resulting from any particular analysis or combination of analyses described above were merely utilized to create points of reference for analytical purposes and should not be taken to be the view of J.P. Morgan with respect to the actual value of the Company. The order of analyses described does not represent the relative importance or weight given to those analyses by J.P. Morgan. In arriving at its opinion, J.P. Morgan did not attribute any particular weight to any analyses or factors considered by it and did not form an opinion as to whether any individual analysis or factor (positive or negative), considered in isolation, supported or failed to support its opinion. Rather, J.P. Morgan considered the totality of the factors and analyses performed in determining its opinion.

64

Analyses based upon forecasts of future results are inherently uncertain, as they are subject to numerous factors or events beyond the control of the parties and their advisors. Accordingly, forecasts and analyses used or made by J.P. Morgan are not necessarily indicative of actual future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by those analyses. Moreover, J.P. Morgan’s analyses are not and do not purport to be appraisals or otherwise reflective of the prices at which businesses actually could be acquired or sold. None of the selected companies reviewed as described in the above summary is identical to the Company and none of the selected transactions reviewed was identical to the merger. However, the companies selected were chosen because they are publicly traded companies with operations and businesses that, for purposes of J.P. Morgan’s analysis, may be considered similar to those of the Company. The transactions selected were similarly chosen because their participants, size and other factors, for purposes of J.P. Morgan’s analysis, may be considered similar to the merger. The analyses necessarily involve complex considerations and judgments concerning differences in financial and operational characteristics of the companies involved and other factors that could affect the companies compared to the Company and the transactions compared to the merger.

As a part of its investment banking business, J.P. Morgan and its affiliates are continually engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, investments for passive and control purposes, negotiated underwritings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements, and valuations for corporate and other purposes. J.P. Morgan was selected to advise the Company, including the Special Committee, with respect to the merger on the basis of, among other things, such experience and its qualifications and reputation in connection with such matters and its familiarity with the Company and the industries in which it operates.

For services rendered in connection with the merger and the delivery of its opinion, the Company has agreed to pay J.P. Morgan a fee of up to $7 million, $2 million of which became payable upon delivery by J.P. Morgan of its opinion and up to $5 million of which is payable in the discretion of the Special Committee based on its assessment of J.P. Morgan’s performance of such services upon the consummation of the merger. In addition, the Company has agreed to reimburse J.P. Morgan for its expenses incurred in connection with its services, including the fees and disbursements of counsel, and will indemnify J.P. Morgan against certain liabilities arising out of J.P. Morgan’s engagement. During the two year period preceding the date of its opinion, J.P. Morgan recognized fees from the Company of approximately $11 million and from Franklin of approximately $155 million unrelated to any material commercial or investment banking relationships with the Company or Franklin. As of the date of its opinion, J.P. Morgan and its affiliates held, on a proprietary basis, less than 1% of the outstanding common stock of each of the Company and Franklin. In the ordinary course of their businesses, J.P. Morgan and its affiliates may actively trade the debt and equity securities or financial instruments (including derivatives, bank loans or other obligations) of the Company or Franklin for their own accounts or for the accounts of customers and, accordingly, they may at any time hold long or short positions in such securities or other financial instruments.

Interests of Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger

Members of our Board and our executive officers have various interests in the merger described in this section that may be in addition to, or different from, the interests of Legg Mason stockholders generally. You should keep this in mind when considering the recommendation of the Board for the approval of the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. The members of the Board were aware of these interests and considered them at the time they approved the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and in making their recommendation that Legg Mason stockholders approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. These interests are described below.

65

Except as otherwise specifically noted, for purposes of quantifying the potential payments and benefits described in this section (including the subsection below entitled “—Golden Parachute Compensation”), the following assumptions were used:

The amounts indicated below are estimates based on multiple assumptions that may or may not actually occur or be accurate as of the date referenced, therefore, the actual amounts, if any, that may be paid or become payable may materially differ from the amounts set forth below.

Company Options

As of the record date, there were 1,645,225 outstanding Company Options held by our directors and executive officers, of which 1,266,532 have an exercise price below $50.00 per Share.

Each outstanding Company Option that was granted under any Company Stock Plan, whether vested or unvested, (i) if the exercise price of such Company Option is equal to or greater than the merger consideration, such Company Option will terminate and be cancelled as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, without any consideration being payable in respect thereof, and have no further force or effect and (ii) if the exercise price of such Company Option is less than the merger consideration, such Company Option will terminate and be cancelled as of immediately prior to the Effective Time in exchange for the right to receive a lump sum cash payment in the amount equal to (A) the number of Shares underlying the Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time, multiplied by (B) the merger consideration minus the applicable exercise price, less (C) any applicable withholding taxes.

Company Restricted Stock Units

As of the record date, there were 496,873 outstanding Company Restricted Stock Units held by our directors and executive officers. We expect that an aggregate of 121,633 of the Company Restricted Stock Units will vest on April 30, 2020 (of which 51,196 units will be deferred and remain outstanding).

Each outstanding Company Restricted Stock Unit that was granted under any Company Stock Plan, whether vested or unvested, will terminate and be cancelled as of immediately prior to the Effective Time in exchange for the right to receive a lump sum cash payment equal to (i) (A) the merger consideration, multiplied by (B) the number of Shares subject to such Company Restricted Stock Unit immediately prior to the Effective Time, plus (ii) the amount of any accrued but unpaid dividend equivalent rights under such Company Restricted Stock Unit, less (iii) any applicable withholding taxes.

Company Performance Stock Units

As of the record date, there were 300,146 outstanding Company Performance Stock Units held by our directors and executive officers.

Each outstanding Company Performance Stock Unit that was granted under any Company Stock Plan, whether vested or unvested, will terminate and be cancelled as of immediately prior to the Effective Time in exchange for

66

the right to receive a lump sum cash payment equal to (i) the merger consideration, multiplied by (ii) the target number of Shares subject to such Company Performance Stock Units immediately prior to the Effective Time, less any applicable withholding taxes.

Executive Retention

Each of Legg Mason’s executive officers is eligible for a retention bonus (which we refer to as the “Retention Bonus”) if he or she (i) reasonably cooperates in the transaction process, including satisfactorily performingassigned job duties and cooperating with Legg Mason and Franklin to ensure the orderly transition of job duties,responsibilities and knowledge, and (ii) remains continuously employed with Legg Mason through the ClosingDate. The Retention Bonus will be a lump sum cash payment equal to the greater of (a) fifty percent (50%) oftotal compensation, which includes the executive officer’s base salary plus gross annual incentive compensationand, if applicable, commission received for the most recently completed fiscal year, or (b) seventy-five percent(75%) of then-current base salary, pro-rated for the period from February 18, 2020 until the Closing Date.Payment of the Retention Bonus is also conditioned on the executive officer agreeing to certain restrictive covenants. Payment of the Retention Bonus is in addition to any severance benefits that the executive officer may otherwise be eligible to receive. If an employee’s Retention Bonus, together with any other payments or benefits, would otherwise exceed the Internal Revenue Code Section 280G limit applicable to the employee, the retention amount will be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid exceeding such limit. For an estimate of the value of the payments described above that would be payable to each of Legg Mason’s named executive officers, see the “Golden Parachute Compensation” table below.

Board Compensation

Each of the eight (8) independent directors will receive a special, one-time payment in recognition of the amount of time that the Board spent considering, negotiating and overseeing the transaction in an aggregate amount for all independent Board members not to exceed $625,000.

Pro-Rata Bonuses

Legg Mason may pay or provide for the payment of accrued pro-rata bonuses to each of the executive officers for the period from April 1, 2020 until the Closing Date. The pro-rata bonuses may be paid on the Closing Date or on a date following the Closing Date, as determined by Legg Mason following good faith consultation with Franklin. The amount of any incentive bonuses payable for the full fiscal year ending March 31, 2021 will be reduced by the pro-rata Closing Date bonus (if any). The amount of any pro-rata bonus payable as part of any cash incentive severance payment (as described in the subsection entitled “—Severance Arrangements” below) will be offset by the amount (if any) previously paid as a pro-rata Closing Date bonus.

Severance Arrangements

Each of Legg Mason’s executive officers is entitled to the following severance payments and benefits pursuant to (i) certain letter agreements entered into on May 21, 2019 (the “May Letter Agreement”) in the event of an involuntary termination by Legg Mason of the executive officer’s employment without cause on or before September 30, 2020 and (ii) thereafter until the first anniversary of the Closing Date, under the terms of the Legg Mason & Co., LLC Severance Benefits Plan for Reductions in Force, effective February 15, 2019, as such plan may be amended (which we refer to as the “Legg Mason Severance Plan”), in each case, subject to the executive officer’s execution of a general employment release of claims: (A) a cash payment of an amount calculated on the same basis as severance for any regular employee, equal to three (3) weeks of the employee’s base salary for every year of service (with a minimum of twelve (12) weeks and a maximum of fifty-two (52) weeks of base salary), (B) a pro-rated cash incentive payment based on the actual incentive payment received for the most recently completed fiscal year for the months worked in the fiscal year of the executive officer’s termination, (C) a COBRA subsidy in accordance with applicable law, and (D) outplacement services. For an estimate of the value of the payments and benefits described above that would be payable to each of Legg Mason’s named executive officers, see the “Golden Parachute Compensation” table below.

67

Golden Parachute Compensation

In accordance with Item 402(t) of Regulation S-K, the table below presents the estimated amounts of compensation that each named executive officer would receive that are based on or otherwise related to the merger. Named executive officers are those executive officers for the Company’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2020. This compensation is referred to as “golden parachute” compensation under the applicable SEC disclosure rules, and in this section we use that term to describe the merger-related compensation payable to the Company’s named executive officers. This merger related compensation will be submitted to a non-binding advisory vote of the Company’s stockholders. See the section entitled “Proposal 2: Non-Binding Compensation Advisory Proposal,” beginning on page 29. The amounts set forth below have been calculated assuming the merger was consummated on April 14, 2020, and, where applicable, assuming each named executive officer experienced a qualifying termination of employment as of April 14, 2020. The amounts indicated below are estimates of amounts that would be payable to the named executive officers, and the estimates are based on multiple assumptions that may or may not actually occur, including assumptions described in this proxy statement. Some of the assumptions are based on information not currently available, and as a result, the actual amounts, if any, to be received by a named executive officer may differ in material respects from the amounts set forth below. All dollar amounts set forth below have been rounded to the nearest whole number.

68

69

Director and Officer Indemnification and Insurance

The merger agreement provides that, from and after the Effective Time, Franklin will, and Franklin will cause the Surviving Corporation to, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, provide indemnification to each person who is now, or has been at any time prior to the Effective Time, an officer or director of Legg Mason or any of its subsidiaries or serving at the request of Legg Mason as an officer or director of another corporation, joint venture or other enterprise or general partner of any partnership or a trustee of any trust (which we refer to each as, an “indemnified person”) in connection with any claim or proceeding arising out of such person’s service in such capacity. The Surviving Corporation may not amend, repeal or otherwise modify the exculpation, indemnification and advancement of expenses provisions of the Surviving Corporation’s and any of its subsidiaries’ charters and bylaws or similar organizational documents as in effect immediately prior to the date of the merger agreement in any manner that would adversely affect the rights thereunder of any individuals who at the Effective Time were directors or officers of Legg Mason or any of its subsidiaries.

Franklin will, and will cause the Surviving Corporation to, maintain in effect for six (6) years from the Effective Time, Legg Mason’s current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies covering acts or omissions occurring (or alleged to occur) prior to or at the Effective Time with respect to indemnified persons. However, that the Surviving Corporation is not required to expend more than an amount per year equal to 300% of current annual premiums paid by Legg Mason for such insurance. In the event that the Surviving Corporation would be required to expend more than 300% of current annual premiums, Franklin and the Surviving Corporation must obtain the maximum amount of such insurance obtainable by payment of annual premiums equal to 300% of current annual premiums. In lieu of the foregoing, Legg Mason may purchase, prior to the Effective Time, a six (6)-year “tail” prepaid officers’ and directors’ liability insurance policy in respect of acts or omissions occurring prior to the Effective Time covering each such indemnified person for an amount not to exceed 300% of current annual premiums. If such “tail” policy has been purchased by Legg Mason, Franklin may not terminate such policy and will cause all obligations of Legg Mason under such “tail” policy to be honored by it and the Surviving Corporation.

Certain Effects of the Merger

If the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement is approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote on such matter and the other conditions to the closing of the merger are either satisfied or (to the extent permitted by applicable law) waived, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Legg Mason upon the terms set forth in the merger agreement. As the Surviving Corporation in the merger, Legg Mason will continue to exist following the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin.

Following the merger, all of Legg Mason’s equity interests will be legally and beneficially owned by Franklin, and none of Legg Mason’s current stockholders will, by virtue of the merger, have any ownership interest in, or be a stockholder of, Legg Mason, the Surviving Corporation or Franklin after the completion of the merger. As a result, Legg Mason’s current stockholders will no longer benefit from any increase in the value, nor will they bear the risk of any decrease in the value, of Legg Mason or Franklin common stock. Following the merger, Franklin will benefit from any increase in Legg Mason’s enterprise value and also will bear the risk of any decrease in Legg Mason’s enterprise value.

Upon completion of the merger, each Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Excluded Shares) will be cancelled, retired and automatically converted into the right to receive the merger consideration, without interest and subject to deduction for any required withholding taxes. See the section of entitled “The Agreement and Plan of Merger—Merger Consideration,” beginning on page 76.

For information regarding the effects of the merger on Legg Mason’s outstanding equity awards, please see the section entitled “The Merger—Interests of Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger,” beginning on page 65, and the section entitled “The Agreement and Plan of Merger—Treatment of Outstanding Equity Awards; the ESPP,” beginning on page 77.

70

Legg Mason common stock is currently registered under the Exchange Act and trades on the NYSE under the symbol “LM.” Following the completion of the merger, the Shares will no longer be traded on the NYSE or any other public market. In addition, the registration of Shares under the Exchange Act will be terminated, and Legg Mason will no longer be required to file periodic and other reports with the SEC with respect to Legg Mason common stock.

Consequences if the Merger is Not Completed

If the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement is not approved by the holders of Shares representing a majority of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote on such matter or if the merger is not completed for any other reason, you will not receive any consideration from Franklin or Merger Sub for your Shares. Instead, Legg Mason will remain a public company, and Legg Mason Shares will continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE. We expect that our management will operate our business in a manner similar to that in which it is being operated today and that holders of Shares will continue to be subject to the same risks and opportunities as they currently are subject to with respect to their ownership of Shares. If the merger is not completed, there can be no assurance as to the effect of these risks and opportunities on the future value of Shares, including the risk that the market price of Shares may decline to the extent that the current market price of Shares reflects a market assumption that the merger will be completed. If the proposal to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement is not approved by the holders of Shares representing a majority of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote on such matter or if the merger is not completed for any other reason, there can be no assurance that any other transaction acceptable to us will be offered or that our business, prospects or results of operations will not be adversely impacted.

In addition, if the merger agreement is terminated under specified circumstances, Legg Mason is required to pay Franklin a termination fee of $115,000,000. Franklin may be required to pay Legg Mason a reverse termination fee of $115,000,000 if the merger agreement is terminated under specified circumstances. See the section entitled “The Agreement and Plan of Merger—Expenses; Termination Fees,” beginning on page 95.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger

The following is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger to U.S. holders (as defined below) of Shares who receive cash for their Shares in the merger. This summary is general in nature and does not discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that might be relevant to a U.S. holder in light of such holder’s particular circumstances. In addition, this summary does not address the Medicare tax on net investment income or describe any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or foreign jurisdiction and does not consider any aspects of U.S. federal tax law other than income taxation.

This summary only addresses Shares held as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (which we refer to as the “Code”), generally, property held for investment. This summary does not address tax considerations applicable to any U.S. holders that may be subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, including:

71

This summary is based on the Code, the U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code and rulings and judicial decisions, all as in effect as of the date of this proxy statement, and all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations at any time, with possible retroactive effect. We have not sought, and do not intend to seek, any ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (which we refer to as the “IRS”) with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in the following summary. No assurance can be given that the IRS will agree with the views expressed in this summary, or that a court will not sustain any challenge by the IRS in the event of litigation.

For purposes of this discussion, we use the term “U.S. holder” to mean a beneficial owner of Shares that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

If a partnership (including an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) beneficially owns Shares, the tax treatment of the partnership and its partners generally will depend on the status of the partners and the activities of the partnership. A partner in a partnership holding Shares should consult such partner’s tax advisor.

THIS DISCUSSION IS INTENDED ONLY AS A GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO U.S. HOLDERS. THIS SUMMARY DOES NOT ADDRESS THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION CONSEQUENCES RELEVANT TO BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF SHARES THAT ARE NOT U.S. HOLDERS. WE URGE U.S. HOLDERS AND OTHER BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF SHARES TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER IN LIGHT OF THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING FEDERAL ESTATE, GIFT AND OTHERNON-INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES, AND TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS, INCLUDING POSSIBLE CHANGES IN SUCH LAWS.

U.S. Holders

A U.S. holder’s receipt of cash in exchange for Shares pursuant to the merger will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and such U.S. holder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference, if any,

72

between the amount of cash received and the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Shares converted into the right to receive cash in the merger. Gain or loss will be determined separately for each block of Shares (that is, Shares acquired at the same cost in a single transaction). Such gain or loss will generally be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period for the Shares is more than one (1) year at the Effective Time. Long-term capital gain recognized by anon-corporate U.S. holder generally is subject to tax at a reduced rate of U.S. federal income tax. There are limitations on the deductibility of capital losses.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

A U.S. holder may be subject to information reporting. In addition, all payments to which a U.S. holder would be entitled pursuant to the merger will be subject to backup withholding at the statutory rate of twenty-four percent (24%) unless such holder (i) is a corporation or other exempt recipient (and, when required, demonstrates this fact), or (ii) provides a taxpayer identification number (which we refer to as a “TIN”) and certifies, under penalty of perjury, that the U.S. holder is not subject to backup withholding, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. A U.S. holder that does not otherwise establish exemption should complete and sign the IRS FormW-9, in order to provide the information and certification necessary to avoid backup withholding and possible penalties. If a U.S. holder does not provide a correct TIN, such U.S. holder may be subject to backup withholding and penalties imposed by the IRS.

Any amount paid as backup withholding does not constitute an additional tax and will be creditable against a U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is given to the IRS in a timely manner. If backup withholding results in an overpayment of tax, a U.S. holder may obtain a refund by filing a U.S. federal income tax return in a timely manner.

Regulatory Approvals Required for the Merger

Legg Mason must file an application with FINRA in accordance with FINRA Rule 1017 regarding the change of ownership of more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the equity of certain of its subsidiaries registered with the SEC as Broker-Dealer Subsidiaries as a result of the transaction contemplated by the merger agreement and make notice filings with the states in which the Broker-Dealer Subsidiaries are registered and doing business. The transaction may not close if FINRA objects to such change of ownership of the Broker-Dealer Subsidiaries. Certain other regulatory approvals including but not limited to, the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK, the Central Bank of Ireland, and the Japanese Financial Services Agency are also required under the merger agreement as conditions to completion of the merger.

Under the merger agreement, the respective obligations of Legg Mason, Franklin and Merger Sub to complete the merger are subject to, among other things, the expiration or termination of the waiting period (and any extension thereof) under the HSR Act and any commitments by the parties to any governmental entity not to close before a certain date under a timing agreement entered into with the DOJ, the FTC, or other applicable governmental entity applicable to the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and the expiration, termination, or receipt of any consents,non-objections or approvals relating to the merger under the applicable laws of the European Commission.

On March 9, 2020, each of Legg Mason and Franklin filed its required notification and report forms under the HSR Act with respect to the merger, commencing the initial30-calendar-day waiting period.

On April 2, 2020, the FTC and DOJ granted early termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act.

For a description of Legg Mason’s, Franklin’s and Merger Sub’s respective obligations under the merger agreement with respect to regulatory approvals, see the section entitled “The Agreement and Plan of Merger—Efforts to Complete the Merger,” beginning on page 85.

73

Litigation Related to the Merger

On March 30, 2020, Shiva Stein, a purported stockholder of Legg Mason, filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland against Legg Mason and its Board, captionedStein v. Legg Mason, Inc., et al.,1:20-cv-00834 (the “Stein Complaint”). The Stein Complaint asserts that Legg Mason and the Board violated Section 14(a) andRule 14a-9 of the Exchange Act, and that the Board violated Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, by making untrue statements of material facts and omitting certain material facts related to the transaction (which we refer to in this section as the “Transaction”) in the Schedule 14A. The Stein Complaint seeks, among other things, an order enjoining the defendants from consummating the Transaction and money damages.

On April 1, 2020, Joseph Post, a purported stockholder of Legg Mason, filed a putative securities class action complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware against Legg Mason, the Board, Franklin and Merger Sub captionedPost v. Legg Mason, Inc., et al.,1:20-cv-00462-UNA (the “Post Complaint”). The Post Complaint asserts that Legg Mason and the Board violated Section 14(a) andRule 14a-9 of the Exchange Act, and that the Board, Franklin and Merger Sub violated Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, by making untrue statements of material facts and omitting certain material facts related to the Transaction in the Schedule 14A. The Post Complaint seeks, among other things, an order enjoining the defendants from consummating the Transaction and money damages.

On April 8, 2020, Shoshana Minzer, a purported stockholder of Legg Mason, filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Legg Mason and the Board captionedMinzer v. Legg Mason, Inc., et al.,1:20-cv-02910 (the “Minzer Complaint”). The Minzer Complaint asserts that Legg Mason and the Board violated Section 14(a) andRule 14a-9 of the Exchange Act, and that the Board violated Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, by making untrue statements of material facts and omitting certain material facts related to the Transaction in the Schedule 14A. The Minzer Complaint seeks, among other things, an order enjoining the defendants from consummating the Transaction and money damages.

On April 9, 2020, Philip Gordon, a purported stockholder of Legg Mason, filed a putative securities class action complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Legg Mason and the Board captionedGordon v. Legg Mason, Inc., et al.,1:20-cv-02941 (the “Gordon Complaint”). The Gordon Complaint asserts that Legg Mason and the Board violated Section 14(a) andRule 14a-9 of the Exchange Act, and that the Board violated Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, by making untrue statements of material facts and omitting certain material facts related to the Transaction in the Schedule 14A. The Gordon Complaint seeks, among other things, an order enjoining the defendants from consummating the Transaction and money damages.

74

THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

Explanatory Note Regarding the Merger Agreement

The summary of the material provisions of the merger agreement set forth below and elsewhere in this proxy statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the merger agreement, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement asAnnex A and which is incorporated by reference in this proxy statement. This summary does not purport to be complete and may not contain all of the information about the merger agreement that is important to you. We encourage you to read the merger agreement carefully in its entirety.

The merger agreement is described in this proxy statement and included asAnnex A only to provide you with information regarding its terms and conditions and not to provide any other factual information regarding the Company, Franklin or Merger Sub or their respective businesses. Such information can be found elsewhere in this proxy statement or, in the case of the Company, in the public filings that the Company makes with the SEC, which are available without charge through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. See the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information,” beginning on page 106.

The representations and warranties made in the merger agreement by the Company, Franklin and Merger Sub were made as of the date of the merger agreement or other specific dates, solely for purposes of the contract between the parties, and are qualified and subject to important limitations agreed to by the Company, Franklin and Merger Sub in connection with negotiating the terms of the merger agreement and those representations and warranties should not be relied upon by any other person. In particular, in your review of the representations and warranties contained in the merger agreement and described in this summary, it is important to bear in mind that the representations and warranties were negotiated with the principal purposes of establishing the circumstances in which a party to the merger agreement may have the right not to close the merger if the representations and warranties of the other party prove to be untrue due to a change in circumstance or otherwise, and allocating risk between the parties to the merger agreement. The representations and warranties may also be subject to a contractual standard of materiality different from those generally applicable to stockholders and reports and documents filed with the SEC and in some cases were qualified by confidential disclosures made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the merger agreement instead of establishing these matters as fact. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties, which do not purport to be accurate as of the date of this proxy statement, may have changed since the date of the merger agreement and subsequent developments or new information qualifying a representation or warranty may have been included in this proxy statement.

Date of the Merger Agreement

The merger agreement was executed by the Company, Franklin and Merger Sub on February 17, 2020.

The Merger

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the merger agreement and in accordance with the MGCL, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company, and the separate existence of Merger Sub will cease. The Company will continue as the Surviving Corporation and as a wholly owned subsidiary of Franklin and will continue to be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland.

Closing; Effective Time

Unless the merger agreement is terminated pursuant to the conditions set forth in the section entitled “—Termination of the Merger Agreement” below, the closing of the merger (which we refer to as the “Closing”) will take place on (i) the third (3rd) business day following the satisfaction or waiver of each of the conditions set forth in the merger agreement (other than those conditions which by their nature cannot be satisfied until the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by law, waiver of such conditions at the Closing); or (ii) such other date, time and place as Franklin and the Company may mutually agree in writing.

75

On the Closing Date, Franklin and the Company will file articles of merger relating to the merger as contemplated by the MGCL (which we refer to as the “Articles of Merger”) with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland (which we refer to as the “SDAT”), in such form as required by, and executed in accordance with, the MGCL. The merger will become effective at such time as the Articles of Merger are accepted for record by the SDAT on the Closing Date, or at such other time as Franklin and the Company may agree and specify in the Articles of Merger.

Organizational Documents; Directors and Officers

The Articles of Merger will provide that the charter of the Company, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, will be amended and restated as of the Effective Time to be in the form of (except with respect to the name of the Company) the charter of Merger Sub, and as so amended will be the charter of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter changed or amended as provided in such charter or by applicable law. Additionally, at the Effective Time, the bylaws of the Company as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, will be amended and restated as of the Effective Time to be in the form of (except with respect to the name of the Company) the bylaws of Merger Sub, and as so amended will be the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter changed or amended as provided in such bylaws or by applicable law.

The Articles of Merger will provide that, from and after the Effective Time, the directors of Merger Sub in office immediately prior to the Effective Time will become the directors of the Surviving Corporation. The officers of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time will become the officers of the Surviving Corporation and, in each case, will hold office from the Effective Time until his or her respective successor is duly elected or appointed and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the charter and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation or otherwise as provided by applicable law.

Merger Consideration

Legg Mason Common Stock

At the Effective Time, each Share (including, each restricted share of Legg Mason common stock granted pursuant to any Legg Mason benefit plan) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Excluded Shares), will be converted into the right to receive $50.00 in cash, without interest.

All Shares (other than Excluded Shares) will cease to be issued and outstanding and will be cancelled and retired and will cease to exist, and each holder of a valid certificate or certificates which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented any such Shares or evidenced by way of book-entry in the register of stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time, other than in each case those representing Excluded Shares, will thereafter cease to have any rights with respect to such Shares, except the right to receive the applicable merger consideration.

Merger Sub Common Stock

Each share of stock of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be converted into one (1) share of common stock, par value $0.10 per share, of the Surviving Corporation.

Excluded Shares

At the Effective Time, each Excluded Share will cease to be outstanding, will be cancelled without payment of any consideration and therefore will cease to exist.

76

Treatment of Outstanding Equity Awards; the ESPP

The merger agreement provides that the Company’s equity awards that are outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be subject to the following treatment:

Company Options

With respect to each outstanding Company Option that was granted under any Company Stock Plan, whether vested or unvested, (i) if the exercise price of such Company Option is equal to or greater than the merger consideration, such Company Option will terminate and be cancelled as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, without any consideration being payable in respect thereof, and have no further force or effect and (ii) if the exercise price of such Company Option is less than the merger consideration, such Company Option will terminate and be cancelled as of immediately prior to the Effective Time in exchange for the right to receive a lump sum cash payment in the amount equal to (a) the number of Shares underlying the Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time, multiplied by (b) the merger consideration minus the applicable exercise price, less (c) any applicable withholding taxes.

Company Restricted Stock Units

Each outstanding Company Restricted Stock Unit that was granted under any Company Stock Plan, whether vested or unvested, will be terminated and cancelled as of immediately prior to the Effective Time in exchange for the right to receive a lump sum cash payment equal to (i) (A) the merger consideration, multiplied by (B) the number of Shares subject to such Company Restricted Stock Unit immediately prior to the Effective Time, plus (ii) the amount of any accrued but unpaid dividend equivalent rights under such Company Restricted Stock Unit, less (iii) any applicable withholding taxes.

Company Performance Stock Units

Each outstanding Company Performance Stock Unit that was granted under any Company Stock Plan, whether vested or unvested, will be terminated and cancelled as of immediately prior to the Effective Time in exchange for the right to receive a lump sum cash payment equal to (i) the merger consideration, multiplied by (ii) the target number of Shares subject to such Company Performance Stock Units immediately prior to the Effective Time, less (iii) any applicable withholding taxes.

ESPP

Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement (i) any current payment period under the ESPP ended on or before February 14, 2020 (the business day immediately preceding the date of the merger agreement), (ii) no further contributions may be made and no new payment period will commence under the ESPP after the date of the merger agreement, (iii) each ESPP participant’s accumulated contributions under the ESPP was used to purchase Shares in accordance with the terms of the ESPP as of the end of the current payment period (as accelerated pursuant to clause (i) above), and (iv) immediately prior to, and subject to the occurrence of, the Effective Time, the ESPP will terminate.

Exchange of Certificates

Exchange Procedures

The conversion of Shares into the right to receive the merger consideration will occur automatically at the Effective Time. Concurrently with the Effective Time, Franklin will deposit with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC or such other bank or trust company as determined by Franklin (that is reasonably satisfactory to Legg Mason) (which we refer to as the “exchange agent”), in trust for the benefit of the holders of Shares, an amount of immediately available funds equal to the aggregate merger consideration. Any amounts payable in respect of Legg Mason equity awards will not be deposited with the exchange agent but will instead be paid through the payroll of the Company and its affiliates.

77

Promptly after the Effective Time, the exchange agent will send a letter of transmittal to each person who is a record holder of Shares as of immediately prior to the Effective Time along with instructions explaining how to surrender Legg Mason stock certificates or transfer uncertificated Shares to the exchange agent in exchange for the merger consideration.

As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, each record holder of Shares (other than Excluded Shares), (i) upon surrender of a certificate (or affidavit of loss in lieu of a certificate) to the exchange agent together with the duly executed letter of transmittal and any other documents as may reasonably be required by the exchange agent, (ii) upon the transfer of uncertificated Shares not held through Depository Trust Company (which we refer to as “DTC”), in accordance with the terms of the letter of transmittal, or (iii) upon the transfer of uncertificated Shares held through DTC (including by delivery of an “agent’s message”, in accordance with DTC’s procedures and such other procedures as agreed by Franklin, the exchange agent and DTC), will be entitled to receive the amount of cash (without interest) into which the aggregate number of Shares held by such record holder were converted in the merger. After completion of the merger, each certificate that previously represented Shares and each uncertificated Share that previously was registered to a holder on Legg Mason’s stock transfer books will only represent the right to receive the merger consideration into which those Shares were converted.

Any certificate that has been surrendered will be cancelled by the exchange agent. In the event of a transfer of ownership of Shares which are not registered in the transfer records of the Company, a check in the proper amount of cash may be issued with respect to such Shares to such a transferee only if, in the case of uncertificated Legg Mason stock, written instructions authorizing the transfer of uncertificated Legg Mason stock are presented to the exchange agent and, in the case of certificates, the certificate representing such Shares are presented to the exchange agent, and in each case, together with all documents required to evidence and effect such transfer and to evidence that any applicable stock transfer taxes have been paid.

You should not send in your Share certificate(s) with your proxy card. A letter of transmittal with instructions for the surrender of certificates representing Shares will be mailed to stockholders shortly after the merger is completed.

No Further Ownership Rights in Shares

All cash paid upon conversion of Shares in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement will be deemed to have been issued or paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the Shares.

Lost Certificates

If any certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the signing of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming such certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by the Surviving Corporation, the posting by such person of a bond in such reasonable amount as the Surviving Corporation may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such certificate or other documentation (including an indemnity in customary form) reasonably requested by Franklin, the exchange agent will deliver in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate the applicable merger consideration with respect to the Shares formerly represented thereby.

Representations and Warranties

The Company, on the one hand, and Franklin and Merger Sub, on the other hand, have made representations and warranties to each other in the merger agreement. The representations and warranties referenced below and included in the merger agreement were made only for purposes of the merger agreement and as of specific dates, were solely for the benefit of the parties to the merger agreement, may be subject to a contractual standard of materiality different from what might be viewed as material to stockholders, and may be subject to limitations

78

agreed upon by the parties, including being qualified by disclosures filed with or furnished to the SEC and confidential disclosures made by the parties to each other for the purpose of allocating contractual risk between the parties instead of establishing the matters as facts (including in the disclosure letter delivered by the Company in connection with the merger agreement (which we refer to as the “Disclosure Letter”)). The representations and warranties contained in the merger agreement should not be relied upon as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of the Company, Franklin, Merger Sub, or any of their respective subsidiaries, affiliates or businesses. The representations and warranties of each of the parties to the merger agreement will expire at the Effective Time.

Representations and Warranties of the Company

The Company has made customary representations and warranties to Franklin and Merger Sub in the merger agreement regarding aspects of the Company’s business and various other matters pertinent to the merger. The topics covered by its representations and warranties include, but are not limited to, the following:

79

Some of the Company’s representations and warranties are qualified by the concept of a “material adverse effect.” Under the terms of the merger agreement, a material adverse effect on the Company means, with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries, any event, change, circumstance, effect, development or state of facts that, individually or in the aggregate has, or would reasonably be likely to have, a material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition, properties, liabilities or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided, however, that “material adverse effect” on the Company will not include the effect of any event, change, circumstance, effect, development or state of facts to the extent it results from or arises out of:

80

However, solely with respect to the exceptions described in the first (1st), second (2nd), fifth (5th) and sixth (6th) bullets above, any event, change, circumstance, effect, development or state of facts will be taken into account to the extent such event, change, circumstance, effect, development or state of fact has a disproportionate adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to other participants in the industries in which the Company and its subsidiaries operate (but only the incremental disproportionate effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole).

Representations and Warranties of Franklin and Merger Sub

Franklin and Merger Sub made customary representations and warranties to the Company in the merger agreement, including, but not limited to, representations and warranties relating to the following:

Covenants Regarding Conduct of Business by the Company and its Subsidiaries Prior to the Merger

Under the merger agreement, the Company has agreed that, during the period from the date of the merger agreement to the earlier of the termination of the merger agreement in accordance with its terms and the Effective Time (except as otherwise specifically contemplated by the terms of the merger agreement), unless Franklin otherwise consents in writing (which consent must not be unreasonably delayed, withheld or conditioned): (i) the businesses of the Company and its subsidiaries will be conducted, in all material respects, in the ordinary course of business and in a manner consistent with past practice and, in all material respects, in compliance with applicable laws, including without limitation the timely filing of all reports, forms or other documents with the SEC required pursuant to the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; and (ii) the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to, and will cause its subsidiaries to use their commercially reasonable efforts to, continue to maintain and preserve in all material respects, its assets, properties, rights and operations and the business organization and current business relationships of the Company and its subsidiaries.

81

Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries will (except as specifically contemplated by the terms of the merger agreement or as described in the Disclosure Letter), between the date of the merger agreement and the earlier of the termination of the merger agreement and the Effective Time, do any of the following without the prior written consent of Franklin (which will not be unreasonably delayed, withheld or conditioned other than with respect to bullets two (2), three (3), four (4), or five (5) in the context of the acquisitions of any businesses):

82

83

Nothing in the merger agreement, however, gives Franklin or Merger Sub the right to control or direct the operations of the Company or its subsidiaries prior to the Closing Date. Prior to the Closing Date, the Company and its subsidiaries will exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, complete control and supervision of its and its subsidiaries’ operations.

Client Consents

If required by applicable law or the applicable investment advisory arrangement, for each investment advisory arrangement between Legg Mason or one if its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and a client that is not a fund, on the other hand, Legg Mason or its applicable subsidiary has agreed to send a written notice (which we refer to as a “Negative Consent Notice”) to such client informing it of the transaction and that the consent of such client to the Advisers Act Assignment of its investment advisory arrangement will be deemed to have been granted if such client does not terminate its investment advisory arrangement within forty-five (45) days after the sending of the Negative Consent Notice. If the applicable investment advisory arrangement requires the written consent of the client to the Advisers Act Assignment of such client’s investment advisory arrangement, or if Legg Mason or its applicable subsidiary determines, in its discretion, that for commercial reasons it would be prudent or appropriate to obtain the written consent of a client to the Advisers Act Assignment of such client’s investment advisory arrangement, then Legg Mason or its applicable subsidiary will send a written notice requesting written consent to the Advisers Act Assignment of such client’s investment advisory arrangement, and such client will not be deemed to have granted its consent to the Advisers Act Assignment unless and until the client provides its written consent.

If required by applicable law or the applicable investment advisory arrangement, for each investment advisory arrangement with a fund managed by Legg Mason or one of its subsidiaries other than a 1940 Act fund (except for certain funds where the fund general partner, limited partner advisory committee or similar entity can provide consent to the Advisers Act Assignment): (i) if the applicable investment advisory arrangement (A) expressly requires the written consent of investors to the Advisers Act Assignment of such fund’s investment advisory arrangement, or (B) permits consent to be obtained by a Fund Negative Consent Notice (as defined below) and Legg Mason or its applicable subsidiary determines, in its discretion, that for commercial reasons it would be prudent or appropriate to obtain the written consent of one (1) or more investors in such fund to the Advisers Act Assignment of such fund’s investment advisory arrangement, then Legg Mason or its applicable subsidiary will send a written notice to each investor in such fund described in Clause (A) or such investors described in Clause (B) requesting the written consent of the investor to the Advisers Act Assignment of the investment advisory arrangement and informing each investor of the intention (X) to complete the transaction and (Y) to continue to provide the advisory services pursuant to the existing investment advisory arrangement with such fund after the closing so long as amajority-in-interest (or such higher percentage as may be required under the applicable

84

investment advisory arrangement) of the investors provide (and do not withdraw) their consent to the Advisers Act Assignment of such fund’s investment advisory arrangement; and (ii) for all investment advisory arrangements with funds not described in (i) above, Legg Mason or its applicable subsidiary has agreed to send a written notice (which we refer to as the “Fund Negative Consent Notice”) to each investor in the applicable fund informing each investor: (A) of the intention to complete the transaction, which will result in an Advisers Act Assignment of such fund’s investment advisory arrangement, (B) of the intention of Legg Mason or the applicable subsidiary to continue to provide the advisory services pursuant to the existing investment advisory arrangement after the closing so long as amajority-in-interest (or such higher percentage as may be required under the applicable investment advisory arrangement) of the investors consent to the Advisers Act Assignment and (C) that the consent of such investor will be deemed to have been granted if such investor does not affirmatively object to such Advisers Act Assignment within forty-five (45) days after the sending of the Fund Negative Consent Notice.

Pursuant to the 1940 Act, the transaction will result in a termination of all existing investment advisory arrangements between the 1940 Act funds, on the one hand, and Legg Mason or one of its applicable subsidiaries, on the other hand. Accordingly, Legg Mason has agreed to use, and to cause each applicable subsidiary to use, its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the approval of the board of directors or trustees, as applicable, of each 1940 Act fund of a new investment advisory arrangement with Legg Mason or its applicable subsidiary in accordance with Section 15 of the 1940 Act on terms that are substantially comparable to the existing investment advisory arrangement with such 1940 Act fund and request that each such board of directors or trustees obtain the requisite approval of the shareholders of such 1940 Act fund to such new investment advisory arrangement (unless such approval is not required under applicable law).

Access to Information

Upon reasonable notice, the Company will (and will cause its subsidiaries to) afford Franklin and its representatives (including any financing sources and their representatives) reasonable access during normal business hours, during the period prior to the Effective Time, to the officers, employees, books, records and facilities of the Company and its subsidiaries. However, the Company may restrict access to the extent that (i) providing such access would result in the waiver of attorney-client privilege, the disclosure of any trade secrets of third parties or the violation of any of the Company’s obligations with respect to confidentiality to third parties or (ii)  such access is prohibited by law, in each case, subject to certain limited exceptions.

Efforts to Complete the Merger

Subject to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, the Company and Franklin will, cooperate with each other and use, and will cause their respective subsidiaries and affiliates to use, their respective reasonable best efforts to take (or cause to be taken) all actions, and do (or cause to be done) all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations to consummate the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement as soon as practicable, including, without limitation (i) preparing and filing all documentation to effect all necessary applications, notices, petitions, filings and other documents and to obtain as promptly as practicable all waiting period expirations or terminations, consents, clearances, waivers, licenses, orders, registrations, approvals, permits, and authorizations necessary or advisable to be obtained from any third party or any governmental entity (including but not limited to, FINRA, the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK, the European Commission, the Central Bank of Ireland, and the Japanese Financial Services Agency), and (ii) taking all steps as may be necessary to obtain all such waiting period expirations or terminations, consents, clearances, waivers, licenses, registrations, permits, authorizations, orders and approvals.

The Company and Franklin agreed to (i) make an appropriate filing of a notification and report form pursuant to the HSR Act with respect to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement as promptly as practicable, and in any event within fifteen (15) business days after the execution of the merger agreement (the parties filed this notification and report on March 9, 2020), and (ii) make any filings in connection with any regulatory

85

approvals as promptly as practicable. The Company and Franklin also agreed to (iii) supply as promptly as practicable any additional information and documentary material that may be requested pursuant to the HSR Act or by any governmental entity under any Regulatory Law (as defined below), and (iv) take all other actions necessary to cause the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act or obtain all regulatory approvals as soon as practicable. Franklin is responsible for the payment of all filing fees payable to any government entity. As used in the merger agreement, the term “Regulatory Law” means the Sherman Act, as amended, the Clayton Act, as amended, the HSR Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, the EU Merger Regulation and all other national, federal or state, domestic or foreign, if any, statutes, rules, regulations, orders, decrees, administrative and judicial doctrines and other laws that are designed or intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade or affecting competition or market conditions through merger, acquisition or other transaction and laws relating to change of control or other approvals required from any governmental entity for completion of the transactions contemplated in the merger agreement.

In connection with their respective reasonable best efforts to obtain all waiting period expirations or terminations, consents, clearances, waivers, licenses, orders, registrations, approvals, permits, and authorizations for the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement under the HSR Act or any other Regulatory Law, each of the Company and Franklin will (i) cooperate in all respects and consult each other in connection with any communication, filing or submission and in connection with any investigation or other inquiry, including any proceeding initiated by a private party, including by allowing the other party and/or its counsel to have a reasonable opportunity to review in advance and comment on drafts of any communications, filings and submissions; (ii) promptly inform the other party of any communication received by such party from, or given by such party to, the Antitrust Division of the DOJ, the FTC, any other governmental entity or, in connection with any proceeding by a private party, with any other person, including by promptly providing copies to the other party of any such written communications, and of any material communication received or given in connection with any proceeding by a private party, in each case regarding any of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; and (iii) permit the other party to review any communication it gives to, and consult each other in advance of any meeting, substantive telephone call, or conference with the DOJ, the FTC, or such other governmental entity or other person, and to the extent permitted by the DOJ, the FTC, or any other applicable governmental entity or other person, give the other party and/or its counsel the opportunity to attend and participate in such meetings, substantive telephone calls and conferences.

Subject to the above obligations to cooperate and consult with each other, Franklin will be entitled to direct, control and lead all communications, discussions, negotiations and strategy, including with respect to any regulatory action or any governmental consent, waiver, authorization, or approval which Franklin may seek to obtain in accordance with the merger agreement, and the Company must take all reasonable actions (at the direction of Franklin) to support Franklin with respect to the process and strategy for pursuing any such regulatory actions and obtaining such governmental consents, waivers, authorizations or approvals.

Franklin will use its best efforts to resolve objections, if any, as may be asserted with respect to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement under any Regulatory Law. As regards to resolving objections, if any, and obtaining regulatory approval under any Regulatory Law, the term, “best efforts” includes taking any and all actions necessary to obtain the consents or waiting period expirations of any governmental entity required to consummate the merger as expeditiously as possible prior to the Termination Date, including promptly (i) proposing, negotiating, committing to, effecting and agreeing to, by consent decree, hold separate order, or otherwise, the sale, divestiture, license, hold separate, and other disposition of the businesses, assets, products or equity interests of the Company or its subsidiaries or any of Franklin’s or its subsidiaries’ other businesses, assets, products or equity interests now owned or hereafter acquired by Franklin, (ii) creating, terminating, or amending any existing relationships, ventures, contractual rights or obligations of Franklin, the Company or their respective subsidiaries, (iii) otherwise taking or committing to any action that would limit Franklin’s freedom of action with respect to, or its ability to retain or hold, directly or indirectly, any businesses, assets, products or equity interests of Franklin or the Company (including any of their respective subsidiaries) and (iv) making, or

86

causing any subsidiaries to make, any commitment, or committing to (or causing any subsidiaries to commit to) make any commitment (to any governmental entity or otherwise) regarding the future operations of Franklin or the Company (including any of their respective subsidiaries).

Each of the Company and Franklin must use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the expiration or termination of all waiting periods and all consents, waivers, authorizations and approvals of all third parties, including governmental entities, necessary, proper or advisable for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and to provide any notices to third parties required to be provided prior to the Effective Time.

Restriction on Solicitation of Competing Proposals

Subject to certain exceptions described below, the Company has agreed that it will not, nor will its subsidiaries authorize or permit any of its subsidiaries or its and its subsidiaries’ controlled affiliates, officers, directors, representatives, advisors or other intermediaries to (directly or indirectly):

Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, the Company agreed to immediately cease, and cause its representatives, advisors and other intermediaries to immediately cease, any and all activities, discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted prior to the date of the merger agreement with respect to any of the above.

An “acquisition proposal” is defined in the merger agreement to mean any offer or proposal for a merger, reorganization, recapitalization, consolidation, share exchange, business combination or other similar transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any proposal or offer to acquire, directly or indirectly, securities representing more than twenty percent (20%) of the voting power of the Company or more than twenty percent (20%) of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, other than the merger contemplated by the merger agreement.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in thenon-solicitation provisions described above, the Board, directly or indirectly, through affiliates, directors, officers, employees, representatives, advisors or other intermediaries, may, prior to the special meeting:

87

A “superior proposal” means any proposal (on its most recently amended or modified terms, if amended or modified) made by a third party that is not affiliated with the Company to enter into any transaction involving an acquisition proposal that the Board determines in its good faith judgment (after consultation with the Company’s financial advisors and outside legal counsel) would be more favorable to the Company’s stockholders than the merger agreement, and the merger, taking into account all terms and conditions of such transaction (including any breakup fees, expense reimbursement provisions and financial terms) and the anticipated timing and prospects for completion of such transaction, including the prospects for obtaining regulatory approvals and financing, and any third-party approvals, except that the reference to twenty percent (20%) in the definition of “acquisition proposal” will be deemed to be a reference to eighty percent (80%). Reference to “the merger agreement”, and “the merger” in this paragraph will be deemed to include any proposed alteration of the terms of the merger agreement or the merger that are agreed to by Franklin pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement.

Obligation of the Board with Respect to Its Recommendation

Except as described below, at any time prior to the receipt of the required vote of the Company stockholders at the special meeting, the Board will not (i) withdraw, modify or amend in any manner adverse to Franklin its approval or recommendation of the merger agreement or the merger or (ii) approve or recommend any acquisition proposal (which we refer to each as, a “change in recommendation”).

Notwithstanding the above, (i) the Board may make a change in recommendation (a) in response to an intervening event, or (b) following receipt of an unsolicited bona fide written acquisition proposal that did not result from or arise out of a material breach of thenon-solicitation provisions of the merger agreement and which the Board determines in good faith, after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel is a superior proposal, in each case, if and only if, the Board has determined in good faith, after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel, that the failure to take such action would be inconsistent with the fiduciary duties and standard of conduct required of the Board under applicable law and the Company complies with the terms of the merger agreement or (ii) following receipt of a bona fide written acquisition proposal which the Board determines in good faith, in consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel, is a superior proposal, the Board may terminate the merger agreement for the purpose of entering into a definitive acquisition agreement, merger agreement or similar definitive agreement (which we refer to as an “alternative acquisition agreement”) with respect to such superior proposal (if, and only if, the Board determines that the failure to take such action would be inconsistent with the standards of conduct of the Board under applicable law).

An “intervening event” is a material event, development or occurrence that (i) affects the business or operations of the Company, (ii) does not relate to an acquisition proposal, and (iii) is unknown or not reasonably foreseeable by the Board as of the date of the merger agreement (and which could not have become known through any further reasonable inquiry with respect to any event known by the Board as of the date of the merger agreement), which event becomes known by the Board prior to obtaining an affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote to approve the merger and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement (which we refer to as the“Required Company Vote”).

88

Prior to Legg Mason taking any action permitted in response to an intervening event, Legg Mason must provide Franklin with four (4) business days’ prior written notice advising Franklin it intends to effect a change in recommendation and explain the reasons for such change in recommendation and, during such four (4) business day period, if Franklin requests, Legg Mason will engage in good faith negotiations with Franklin to amend the merger agreement in a manner that would make the failure to effect a change in recommendation no longer inconsistent with the fiduciary duties or standards of conduct required of the Board under applicable law. Prior to Legg Mason taking any action permitted in response to an acquisition proposal that constitutes a superior proposal, Legg Mason must provide Franklin with four (4) business days’ prior written notice (it being agreed that any material amendment to the amount or form of consideration payable in connection with the applicable acquisition proposal will require a new notice and an additional two (2) business day period) advising Franklin that the Board intends to take such action, and specifying the material terms and conditions of the superior proposal, and Legg Mason will, during such four (4) business day period (or subsequent two (2) business day period), negotiate in good faith with Franklin to make any adjustments needed to the merger agreement so that such acquisition proposal would no longer constitute a superior proposal.

Legg Mason must notify Franklin promptly (within 24 hours) after receipt of (i) any acquisition proposal, (ii) any proposals, discussions, negotiations or inquiries that would reasonably be expected to lead to an acquisition proposal, and (iii) the material terms of any such acquisition proposal and the identity of the person making any such acquisition proposal or with whom such discussions are taking place, in each case, if such request for information, inquiry, proposal or discussions would reasonably be expected to lead to an acquisition proposal. In addition, Legg Mason will promptly (within twenty-four (24) hours) after the receipt of any written documentation material to understanding such acquisition proposal that is received by Legg Mason from or on behalf of the person making such acquisition proposal or with whom discussions would reasonably be expected to lead to an acquisition proposal, provide Franklin with copies thereof. Legg Mason and its subsidiaries will not terminate, waive, amend or modify any provision of any existing standstill or confidentiality agreement to which it or any of its subsidiaries is a party, and Legg Mason and its subsidiaries will enforce the provisions of any such agreement, except that Legg Mason may waive any such provision to the extent necessary to allow a person to privately make an acquisition proposal to the Board as permitted under the terms of the merger agreement. Legg Mason must keep Franklin reasonably informed of: (i) the status and material details (including any amendments or any proposed amendments) of any such acquisition proposal; (ii) the material details of any information requested of or provided by the Company; and (iii) the material details of all discussions or negotiations with respect to any such acquisition proposal. The Company must also provide to Franklin within twenty-four (24) hours after receipt thereof copies of any other documentation material to understanding such acquisition proposal (as determined by Legg Mason in good faith) received by Legg Mason from or on behalf of the person making such acquisition proposal or with whom such discussions are taking place. Legg Mason will promptly provide to Franklin any materialnon-public information concerning Legg Mason provided to any other person in connection with any acquisition proposal that was not previously provided to Franklin. The Board will promptly consider in good faith (in consultation with its outside legal and financial advisors) any proposed alteration of the terms of the merger agreement by Franklin in response to any acquisition proposal.

Obligations with Respect to this Proxy Statement and the Special Meeting

As soon as reasonably practicable, Legg Mason will cause a stockholders meeting to be duly called and held for the purpose of obtaining the Required Company Vote (which we refer to as the “special meeting”). In connection with the special meeting, Legg Mason will (i) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the Required Company Vote and (ii) otherwise comply with all legal requirements applicable to the special meeting. Notwithstanding the above, if on a date for which the special meeting is scheduled, Legg Mason has not received proxies representing enough Shares to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, whether or not a quorum is present, Legg Mason will have the right to, and will upon Franklin’s request, postpone the special meeting for not more than ten (10) days in the aggregate, solely for the purpose of soliciting enough Shares to obtain the necessary votes to approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

89

Employee Matters

Additionally, Franklin will, or will cause the Surviving Corporation to, undertake commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause anypre-existing conditions or limitations and eligibility waiting periods under any benefit plan of Franklin (a “Franklin Benefit Plan”) to be waived with respect to Franklin Benefit Plan participants; (ii) with respect to the plan year during which the Effective Time occurs, recognize for each Franklin Benefit Plan participant credit for applicable deductibles and annualout-of-pocket limits for expenses incurred prior to the Effective Time for which payment has been made in respect of such Franklin Benefit Plan participant to the same extent such credit was given under the analogous Legg Mason benefit plan prior to the Effective Time; and (iii) recognize the service of each continuing employee’s employment with the Company and its subsidiaries for purposes of vesting, vacation, paid time off, benefit accrual, and eligibility to participate under each applicable Franklin Benefit Plan in which any continuing employee will participate after the Effective Time, as if such service had been performed with Franklin, except: (A) for benefit accrual under defined benefit pension plans, (B) for purposes of qualifying for subsidized early retirement benefits, or (C) to the extent it would result in a duplication of benefits. For the avoidance of doubt, such service will not be recognized for purposes of eligibility for retirement vesting under equity plans of Franklin or any of its affiliates.

The Company will cause the Legg Mason Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plan to be terminated effective immediately prior to the Effective Time, provided that during the period commencing at the Effective Time and ending one (1) year thereafter, Franklin or the Surviving Corporation provides each continuing employee who participated in the Legg Mason Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plan immediately prior to the Effective Time with the same defined contribution plan and/or savings plan benefits as provided to similarly situated employees of Franklin and its subsidiaries.

90

Director and Officer Indemnification and Insurance

The merger agreement provides that, from and after the Effective Time, Franklin will, and Franklin will cause the Surviving Corporation to, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, provide indemnification to each person who is now, or has been at any time prior to the Effective Time, an officer or director of Legg Mason or any of its subsidiaries or serving at the request of Legg Mason as an officer or director of another corporation, joint venture or other enterprise or general partner of any partnership or a trustee of any trust (which we refer to each as, an “indemnified person”) in connection with any claim or proceeding arising out of such person’s service in such capacity. The Surviving Corporation may not amend, repeal or otherwise modify the exculpation, indemnification and advancement of expenses provisions of the Surviving Corporation’s and any of its subsidiaries’ charters and bylaws or similar organizational documents as in effect immediately prior to the date of the merger agreement in any manner that would adversely affect the rights thereunder of any individuals who at the Effective Time were directors or officers of Legg Mason or any of its subsidiaries.

Franklin will, and will cause the Surviving Corporation to, maintain in effect for six (6) years from the Effective Time Legg Mason’s current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies covering acts or omissions occurring (or alleged to occur) prior to or at the Effective Time with respect to indemnified persons. However, the Surviving Corporation will not be required to expend more than an amount per year equal to 300% of current annual premiums paid by Legg Mason for such insurance. In the event that the Surviving Corporation would be required to expend more than 300% of current annual premiums, Franklin and the Surviving Corporation must obtain the maximum amount of such insurance obtainable by payment of annual premiums equal to 300% of current annual premiums. In lieu of the foregoing, Legg Mason may purchase, prior to the Effective Time, a six (6)-year “tail” prepaid officers’ and directors’ liability insurance policy in respect of acts or omissions occurring prior to the Effective Time covering each such indemnified person for an amount not to exceed 300% of current annual premiums. If such “tail” policy has been purchased by Legg Mason, Franklin may not terminate such policy and will cause all obligations of Legg Mason under such “tail” policy to be honored by it and the Surviving Corporation.

Other Covenants and Agreements

Legg Mason and Franklin have made certain other covenants and agreements with each other regarding various other matters including:

91

Conditions to the Merger

Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations

Each party’s obligations to effect the merger are subject to the satisfaction (or mutual waiver if permitted by law) at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions:

Conditions to Franklin’s and Merger Sub’s Obligations

The obligations of Franklin and Merger Sub to effect the merger are also subject to the satisfaction, or waiver by Franklin, on or prior to the Closing Date, of the following additional conditions:

92

Conditions to Legg Mason’s Obligations

The obligations of Legg Mason to effect the merger are subject to the satisfaction of, or waiver by Legg Mason on or prior to the Closing Date, of the following additional conditions:

93

Termination of the Merger Agreement

Termination Rights Exercisable by Either Franklin or Legg Mason

The merger agreement may be terminated and the merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time by the mutual written consent of Franklin and Legg Mason. In addition, the merger agreement may be terminated prior to the Effective Time by either Franklin or Legg Mason if:

Legg Mason Termination Rights

Legg Mason may also terminate the merger agreement and abandon the merger at any time prior to the Effective Time, by action taken or authorized by the Board:

Franklin Termination Rights

Franklin may also terminate the merger agreement and abandon the merger at any time prior to the Effective Time if:

94

Effect of Termination

If the merger agreement is terminated by either Legg Mason or Franklin, the merger agreement will become void and there will be no liability or obligation on the part of Franklin or Legg Mason or their respective officers or directors to the merger agreement (or any representative of such party); provided, however, that no termination will relieve:

Expenses; Termination Fees

All fees and expenses incurred in connection with the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby will generally be borne by the party that incurs such fees and expenses, except that (i) expenses incurred in connection with the proxy statement will be shared equally by Franklin and the Company, and (ii) Franklin will be responsible for the payment of all filing fees payable to any governmental entity with respect to seeking approval pursuant to the merger agreement.

Legg Mason has agreed to pay Franklin a termination fee of $115 million (which we refer to as the “termination fee”) if:

95

If Franklin terminates the merger agreement due to the Effective Date not occurring by the Termination Date and on such date all conditions to the consummation of the merger are satisfied other than the client consent percentage condition (as described above) (and other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied on Closing, provided that such conditions are reasonably likely to be satisfied) Franklin will be required to pay the Company a reverse termination fee equal to $115 million.

Miscellaneous

Specific Performance

The parties are entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of the merger agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of the merger agreement, in addition to any other remedy to which either party is entitled under the merger agreement. Each of the parties agrees that it will waive any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

Amendment of the Merger Agreement

The merger agreement may be amended in writing by action of the boards of directors of the respective parties at any time before or after approval of the matters presented in connection with the merger by the Legg Mason stockholders, but, after any such approval, no amendment may be made which by law requires further approval by the Legg Mason stockholders or which reduces the merger consideration or adversely affects the holders of Shares, without approval by such holders.

Payment of Quarterly Dividend

The Company will be permitted to pay its regular quarterly dividend for the quarter in which the transaction closes in the event the Closing Date is within ten (10) business days prior to a record date for the regular quarterly dividend (with the timing of such record date substantially consistent with that of the dividend paid by the Company for the corresponding quarter during its most recent fiscal year).

Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; No Jury Trial

The merger agreement is governed by Delaware law (other than with respect to issues relating to the merger, duties or standard of conduct of the Board, general corporation law and any other provisions in the merger agreement that are required to be governed by the MGCL). Each of the parties to the merger agreement has irrevocably agreed that any legal action or proceeding with respect to the merger agreement and the rights and obligations arising under the merger agreement, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect of the merger agreement and the rights and obligations arising under the merger agreement brought by the other party(ies) to the merger agreement or its successors or assigns must be brought and determined exclusively in the Delaware Court of Chancery, or in the event that such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such action or proceeding, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. In addition, each of the parties to the merger agreement has irrevocably and unconditionally waived any right to a trial by jury in respect of any litigation arising out of or relating to the merger agreement and any of the agreements delivered in connection with the merger agreement.

96

VOTING AGREEMENT

This section describes the material terms of the Voting Agreement entered into between Franklin and Trian Partners on February 17, 2020. The description in this section and elsewhere in this proxy statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Voting Agreement, a copy of which is attached asAnnex B to this proxy statement and is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This summary does not purport to be complete and may not contain all of the information about the Voting Agreement. You are encouraged to read the Voting Agreement carefully and in its entirety.

In connection with the execution of the merger agreement, and as a condition to Franklin’s willingness to enter into the merger agreement, Trian Partners entered into the Voting Agreement with Franklin. Based on information provided by Trian Partners to Franklin as of the date of the Voting Agreement, Trian Partners beneficially owned, in the aggregate, 3,881,704 Shares. Each beneficial owner of the Shares is described in more detail on Schedule A to the Voting Agreement which is attached asAnnex B to this proxy statement (which we refer to each as, a “Trian Stockholder,” and collectively, the “Trian Stockholders”).

The Trian Stockholders have each agreed, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Voting Agreement, to vote their Shares (representing approximately 4.5% of the outstanding Shares as of February 17, 2020) as follows:

(i) in favor of approval of the merger and approval of the terms of the merger agreement and the other transactions contemplated thereby;

(ii) against any action or agreement that has or would be reasonably likely to result in a material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of the Company under the merger agreement;

(iii) against any acquisition proposal, without regard to the terms of such acquisition proposal, or any other transaction, proposal, agreement or action made in opposition to adoption of the merger agreement or in competition or inconsistent with the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement;

(iv) against any amendments to the Company’s organizational documents if such amendment would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the Closing; and

(v) against any other action or agreement that is intended, or could reasonably be expected, to materially impede, materially interfere with, materially delay, or postpone the merger or the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

These voting obligations are subject to certain exceptions, including a change in recommendation by the Board in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement. The Voting Agreement will terminate upon the earliest to occur of (i) Franklin and Trian Partners agreeing to terminate the Voting Agreement, (ii) the date upon which the merger becomes effective, (iii) the termination of the merger agreement in accordance with its terms, (iv) the conclusion of the Company stockholders’ meeting at which the vote in respect of approval of the merger is taken, and (v) the entry without the prior written consent of Trian Partners into any amendment or modification of the merger agreement which results in a reduction or change in the form or composition of the merger consideration, an extension of the Termination Date, the imposition of any additional material condition on the consummation of the merger, or which is otherwise materially adverse to Trian Partners. A copy of the Voting Agreement is attached to this proxy statement asAnnex B and is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

97

NO DISSENTERS’ RIGHTS OR RIGHTS OF OBJECTING STOCKHOLDERS

We are organized as a corporation under Maryland law. Holders of Shares are not entitled to dissenting stockholders’ appraisal rights, rights of objecting stockholders or other similar rights in connection with the merger under the MGCL. Subject to the limited circumstances set forth inSection 3-202(d) of the MGCL, the MGCL does not provide for appraisal rights or other similar rights to stockholders of a Maryland corporation in connection with a merger of the corporation if the stockholders’ shares are listed on a national securities exchange on the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote on the transaction. The circumstances of the merger do not satisfy the conditions set forth inSection 3-202(d) of the MGCL that would trigger such appraisal rights or similar rights.

98

MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND DATA

Legg Mason common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “LM.” As of the close of business on April 14, 2020, the record date, there were 88,065,952 Shares outstanding and entitled to vote, held by approximately 478 holders of record of the Shares. Because many Shares are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, we are unable to estimate the total number of stockholders represented by these record holders.

The following table presents the closing per Share price, as reported on the NYSE on February 14, 2020, the last full trading day before the public announcement of the merger, and on April 15, 2020, the last full trading day before the filing of this proxy statement:

You are encouraged to obtain current market pricing for the Shares in connection with voting your Shares. Following the merger, there will be no further market for the Shares, and the Shares will be delisted from the NYSE and deregistered under the Exchange Act.

Under the merger agreement, the declaration and payment of regular quarterly cash dividends not to exceed $0.40 per Share, with declaration, record and payment dates substantially consistent with those of the dividends paid by the Company during its most recent fiscal year is permitted.

99

STOCK OWNERSHIP

We have listed below, as of April 14, 2020 (except as otherwise indicated), the beneficial ownership of Shares by (i) each of our directors, (ii) each of our “named executive officers” for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, (iii) all of our directors and executive officers as a group and (iv) each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent (5%) of the number of outstanding Shares. The table is based on information we received from the directors, executive officers and filings made with the SEC. We are not aware of any other beneficial owner of more than five percent (5%) of the number of outstanding Shares as of April 14, 2020. Unless otherwise indicated, each of our directors and “named executive officers” has (a) the same business address as Legg Mason and (b) sole investment and voting power over all of the shares that he or she beneficially owns. All Share numbers have been rounded to the nearest whole number.

100