Department profile
Sidley Austin LLP

Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense

USA Guide 2026 : New York

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Sidley Austin LLP

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About

Provided by Sidley Austin LLP

For more information on the practice, please visit the practice's page at: https://www.sidley.com/en/us/services/ma/

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense - New York

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Sidley Austin LLP handles a wide range of domestic and cross-border transactional matters, including joint ventures, tender offers and spin-offs. The corporate team represents clients working in a range of areas, such as manufacturers, investment firms, financial services companies and real estate businesses. The New York office also houses market-leading expertise in shareholder activism defense. The firm is active on behalf of corporates and private equity sponsors.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Sidley Austin represented HPS Investment Partners in its $13.5 billion sale to BlackRock.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team was extremely responsive.

    Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA

  • The team is adept at framing recommendations in a practical, business-focused way that supports sound decision-making.

    Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA

  • Sidley Austin is a complete full service law firm that has extensive subject matter experts and ensures that the organization has the bandwidth to cover all transaction areas.

    Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Kai Liekefett
    Kai Liekefett

    Kai Liekefett

    Kai Liekefett cochairs the firm's shareholder activism practice and retains a strong reputation for his defense work and proxy fight expertise. He is active in situations on both the domestic and international stages.

    • Kai is extremely bright and experienced.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA

    • He is a leader in the field.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA

    • Kai is a respected activism defense lawyer who has a fantastic bedside manner with clients.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA

    • Put simply, there is one phone call to make if an activist comes. It's to Kai.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
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  • Derek Zaba
    Derek Zaba

    Derek Zaba

    Derek Zaba splits his time between the firm's Palo Alto and New York offices and cochairs its shareholder activism practice. He regularly advises on shareholder activism, contested M&A and corporate governance matters.

    • Derek is a very seasoned, practical problem-solver. He doesn't get mired in minutia and really thinks about the forest for the trees.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA

    • He has exceptional expertise in the area.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA

    • Derek is a brilliant lawyer who you need in your corner if there is a contentious issue at hand.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA

    • Derek is an excellent lawyer and strategist who is good at giving practical advice.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA

    • He is a brilliant strategic adviser and tactician across a range of issues.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
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  • David Grubman
    David Grubman

    David Grubman

    David Grubman's corporate practice covers a range of high-value transactional matters. His clients include public and private companies.

    • David is a superstar and is absolutely fantastic at engaging with clients. He is the perfect blend of being aggressive and creative when you need him to be.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA

    • He responded very quickly throughout the deal.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
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Ranked Individuals at Sidley Austin LLP (3)

New York

Members

Provided by Sidley Austin LLP

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