Vinson & Elkins Tops Big Law in Taking on Activist Investors

Vinson & Elkins LLP helped companies fight more activist shareholder campaigns than its Big Law competitors in 2021, as investors sitting on record amounts of capital ramped up proxy battles.

The Houston-based law firm advised companies on 38 activist campaigns in 2021, with shareholder stakes valued at $4.8 billion, according to new Bloomberg data. Tractor manufacturer AGCO Corp. and car-sensor maker Velodyne Lidar Inc. were among those V&E represented against activists wanting changes in management and corporate strategy.

V&E had 11 more engagements in 2021 than the year before as money flowed into activist funds and investors started ...