Boards: NACD New York Advisory Board 

With 25 years of experience in corporate law, Liekefett spends 100 percent of his time on shareholder activism campaigns, proxy fights, short attacks, and hostile takeovers. In the past five years, Liekefett has defended more than 500 activist campaigns and 150 proxy contests globally, as well as approximately 25 percent of all US late-stage proxy fights—more than any other defense attorney in the world.

Under Liekefett’s leadership, Sidley Austin LLP rose to the top of activism and corporate defense league tables since 2020. Chambers USA ranks Liekefett in Band 1, the highest tier of excellence for takeover defense, noting that Liekefett “is a pioneer in the field of shareholder activism defense.” Legal 500 calls Liekefett one “of the best lawyers in America.” In August, Crain's New York Business named him one of its 2025 Notable M&A Dealmakers.