Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton

Jeffrey D. Karpf is Cleary Gottlieb’s Managing Partner. As Managing Partner, Jeff prioritizes growth in the U.S. and in our core practices globally, sustained financial success, investment in talent, and maintaining the firm’s leadership in innovation.

In addition to leading the firm, Jeff continues to advise on corporate and financial transactions and matters. He represents issuers, sponsors, and investment banks across a variety of capital markets transactions, including IPOs, public and private equity offerings, debt issuances, convertibles, and liability management transactions. Jeff also advises on securities regulatory and corporate governance matters, including board structure and practices. He has extensive experience in the development of new financial instruments.

Jeff joined the firm in 1994 and became a partner in 2003. Elected Managing Partner in 2026. J.D., Order of the Coif, Stanford University Law School (1994); B.A., magna cum laude, Yale University (1989).

Member, New York Bar. Co-chair, PLI’s Annual Directors’ Institute on Corporate Governance. Planning Committee, Securities Regulation Institute (SRI).