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.
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