Cleary Gottlieb Boosts Activism Defense Practice with Sebastian Alsheimer

Cleary Gottlieb announced today that Sebastian Alsheimer is joining the firm on January 1 as a partner and head of its Shareholder Engagement and Activism Defense practice, based in New York.

Sebastian focuses exclusively on shareholder activism. He will work closely with partners across Cleary’s corporate and litigation practices around the world, advising public company clients on how to navigate engagements with activists and dissident shareholders.

Cleary assists public companies across industries and geographies in preparing for and defending against shareholder activism campaigns and addressing the variety of governance and strategic issues these contests raise. Sebastian has a unique background, having represented both blue chip companies and prominent activist investors, and brings to the firm a deep understanding of the activist playbook and how to defend against it. Sebastian has worked on more than 400 activism situations and until recently led the activism practice at another international law firm.

“Shareholder activism is a feature of the market that few public companies can avoid today,” said Cleary Managing Partner-Elect Jeff Karpf. “Activist activity has increased significantly over the past decade, and adding Sebastian as a recognized leader in the space will expand the capabilities we offer to our public company clients, creating more opportunities to work with boards and senior leadership on solutions.”

Cleary’s Shareholder Engagement and Activism Defense practice draws from the firm’s array of market-leading lawyers with deep experience advising public companies on corporate governance, litigation, capital markets, and mergers and acquisitions. Sebastian will lead the firm’s work representing public companies on preparing for and defending against activist campaigns.

“As Cleary’s leading public company platform continues to grow and evolve, so does our shareholder activism work,” said Francesca Odell, partner and Leader of the Americas Corporate Practice at Cleary. “Sebastian’s 360-degree understanding of the activism space and his record of skillfully resolving high-stakes situations will be an fantastic asset to our clients in the U.S. and abroad.”

“Shareholder activism is booming, both in the U.S. and around the world,” said Sebastian. “Cleary is a storied American law firm with a global reach and a stellar client base, handling the most sophisticated and high-profile matters for its clients, and there is a great opportunity to further grow the activism defense practice and serve as the go-to resource for public companies facing these campaigns.”

Investing in the firm’s shareholder engagement and activism platform is a key component of Cleary’s public company group strategy, as well as that of the corporate practice more broadly. The move will support the firm’s continued growth, following a year that was marked by numerous landmark transactions and wins for clients, organic and lateral growth in the partnership ranks, and a strengthening of all facets of the firm’s corporate practice in the U.S. and internationally.