Russell Leaf > Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

In its shareholder-side activism practice, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP represents investors who regularly engage in activist campaigns and proxy contests. It counts Third Point Capital among its key investor clients, and the practice’s recent slate of matters has included successful proxy contests for investment companies and individual shareholders. Seasoned litigator and litigation department chair Tariq Mundiya is a key contact for proxy contests and advises on both the shareholder and board sides of matters. He co-leads the department with Russell Leaf, a corporate governance and M&A expert who also has experience acting on either side of shareholder activism matters, and Robert Stebbins, whose corporate governance practice is particularly strong in SEC compliance and enforcement issues. Jared Fertman is a further key contact who has recently acted for a number of prominent activist investors in high-profile campaigns. All named lawyers are based in New York.

The ‘smart, hardworking, and experienced’ practice at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is comprised of skilled attorneys capable of handling a wide array of transactional issues, ranging from complex leveraged buyouts to minority investments. The focal point of the firm’s expertise revolves around the asset management, finance, and healthcare sectors, with the New York-based leading trio of David Boston, Russell Leaf, and Adam Turteltaub bringing in-depth knowledge on all types of acquisitions and corporate governance matters to the offering. Steven Seidman focuses on securities law issues, Thomas Cerabino is knowledgeable on joint ventures, and the ‘outstanding’ Gregory Astrachan frequently advises on transactions in the insurance and financial services sectors. Rosalind Fahey Kruse and Houston-based Aaron Savella are also noted as key.