National and international companies across various industries find Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton a reliable choice of counsel when responding to shareholder activists and proxy contests. Activism preparedness advice has been a key area of focus, particularly since the start of the Covid pandemic, and the team assists with a variety of governance change demands. James Langston spearheads the shareholder activism group, with considerable experience in multiple high-profile takeover defense matters. Francesca Odell, head of the corporate advisory practice, is a further senior figure to note. More junior partner Kyle Harris is gaining experience acting for prominent clients from a breadth of industries facing hostile situations. All named lawyers are based in New York.

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Key clients

  • Solvay
  • Assured Guaranty
  • GeoPark: Limited
  • JELD-WEN Holding
  • LivaNova

Work highlights

  • Provided Assured Guaranty with governance and activism preparedness advice in response to a short-sale activism by David Einhorn’s Greenlight Capital.
  • Representing GeoPark in addressing Gerald O’Shaughnessy’s challenge for the removal of incumbent members of the board of directors.
  • Advising JELD-WEN Holding on various enhancements to its existing governance profile.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

James Langston, Francesca Odell

Other key lawyers

Kyle Harris