Recognition
Latham Ranked #1 Legal Advisor for Defending Public Companies Against Shareholder Activism, Hostile Takeover Offers, and Short Seller Attacks
February 2, 2026
FactSet
Firm’s Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defense Practice tops FactSet’s 2025 league tables.
Latham & Watkins is the #1-ranked legal advisor to US-incorporated public companies for shareholder activism defense, hostile takeover defense, and short seller defense, according to FactSet’s year-end 2025 league tables.
Leading 2025 public company defense law firms by number of engagements:
| Law Firm | 2025 Engagements |
|---|---|
| Latham & Watkins | 55 |
| Sidley Austin | 48 |
| Paul Hastings | 39 |
| Sullivan & Cromwell | 29 |
| Kirkland & Ellis | 20 |
Source: FactSet 2025 league tables
Leading 2025 short seller defense law firms by number of engagements:
| Law Firm | 2025 Short Engagements |
|---|---|
| Latham & Watkins | 22 |
| Paul Hastings | 17 |
| Wilson Sonsini | 10 |
| Kirkland & Ellis | 6 |
| Sidley Austin | 4 |
| Vinson & Elkins | 4 |
Source: FactSet 2025 league tables
The firm’s recognition as a leader in shareholder activism defense is built on decades of experience and an in-depth understanding of activists and their strategies.