Sidley Austin Nabs Early Lead in Big Law Activist Investor Bouts

Sidley Austin LLP has emerged as the go-to law firm for companies fending off activist shareholders this year, pulling in more work than any of its peers.

The firm helped companies handle 30 activist campaigns in the first half of 2022—only seven engagements shy of its year-end tally of 37 for 2021, according to new Bloomberg data. Its clients included US Foods Holding Corp. and Hasbro Inc., which repelled an investor’s bid for a new board member.

Total shareholder stakes in Sidley’s matters were valued at $6.9 billion as of June 30, surpassing the $5.2 billion the firm ...