Vinson & Elkins’ Shareholder Activism practice has been awarded the #1 ranking by Refinitiv for company and board representation for full-year rankings, credited with advising on 39 campaigns in 2021. This is the sixth consecutive year that Refinitiv has awarded Vinson & Elkins the top ranking.
With nearly 30 attorneys, Vinson & Elkins’ Shareholder Activism practice leverages the firm’s top-tier M&A, corporate governance, securities and litigation practices to provide unparalleled counsel and judgement when board control and strategic direction of a company are at stake. Over the last six proxy seasons, the Vinson & Elkins team has defended hundreds of companies ranging in size and across industries, bringing deep experience, high levels of engagement and favorable outcomes.
Refinitiv Year End Scorecard Results 2016-2021
| Law Firm | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Total |
| Vinson & Elkins | 25 | 36 | 29 | 36 | 43 | 39 | 208 |
| Sidley Austin LLP | 11 | 8 | 20 | 27 | 43 | 35 | 144 |
| Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz | 22 | 22 | 21 | 29 | 24 | 10 | 128 |
| Latham & Watkins | 10 | 6 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 13 | 77 |
| Kirkland & Ellis | 6 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 2 | 67 |
| Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom | 13 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 62 |
The firm’s Shareholder Activism team has also received other top rankings for public company defense, including:
- The #1 ranking by FactSet for company and board representation based on the number of campaigns defended in 2021. Vinson & Elkins has received this ranking for six consecutive years.
- The top ranking for public company defense by Activist Insight in 2021. Vinson & Elkins has received Activist Insight’s #1 ranking for public company defense for six straight years; and
- The #1 ranking in Bloomberg’s inaugural league table for company defense for 2019 and #1 ranking in 2021 due to a 40% year-over-year increase in company-side engagements.
Individual recognitions for the co-heads of Vinson & Elkins’ Shareholder Activism practice include:
Lawrence Elbaum
- Ranked in Chambers USA Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense (New York), 2021
- Highlighted as a “Next Generation Partner” by The Legal 500 U.S., Shareholder Activism – Advice to Boards, 2021
- Finalist for “Dealmaker of the Year,” The Deal Awards, 2019
- Named to Super Lawyers New York Super Lawyers List, 2022
Patrick Gadson
- Recognized as “Up and Coming” in Chambers USA Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense (New York), 2021
- Featured on Lawdragon’s “500 Leading Dealmakers in America” list, 2021
- Highlighted as a “Next Generation Partner” by The Legal 500 U.S., Shareholder Activism – Advice to Boards, 2021
- Named to Super Lawyers New York Rising Stars List, 2022
About Vinson & Elkins
For more than a century, Vinson & Elkins has provided outstanding client service across important industries that drive the global economy. Built on a strong culture of collaboration across 13 offices worldwide, V&E lawyers are committed to excellence, offering clients decades of legal experience in handling transactions, investments, projects and disputes across the globe. Learn more by visiting www.velaw.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.
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