Board: NACD New York Chapter

Kai Liekefett cochairs Sidley’s Public Company Advisory practice and is the founder of the firm’s Shareholder Activism & Corporate Defense practice. He has more than 25 years of experience in corporate advising boards on activism campaigns, proxy fights, short attacks, and hostile takeovers. Kai has been called “a pioneer in the field of shareholder activism defense” (Chambers USA) and named one of “the best lawyers in America” (The Legal 500).

Liekefett has defended hundreds of activist campaigns and proxy contests globally and helped establish Sidley as a leading advisor in activism and corporate defense. Chambers USA ranks him in Band 1 for Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense, and The Legal 500 has recognized him as a leading lawyer for Shareholder Activism: Advice to Boards. He has been an NACD Directorship 100 honoree each year since 2022.