Gerstein, Mark D.

Mark D. Gerstein

Retired Partner

Mark D. Gerstein retired from the partnership in December 2022. He was a corporate partner and previous Global Co-Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Mergers & Acquisitions Practice, advising clients on complex corporate transactions and corporate governance.

Mr. Gerstein regularly represented public and private companies, special committees of boards of directors, and financial advisors. Specifically, he helped clients navigate:

  • Mergers and acquisitions (M&A), including defending and advancing unsolicited bids
  • Cross-border public company combinations
  • Shareholder activism planning and defense
  • Special committee representation, including take-private transactions
  • Spin-off transactions

Mr. Gerstein has been widely recognized as a leading corporate lawyer. Clients have described him as a “superb negotiator with phenomenal commercial skills,” saying “his knowledge, skill and creativity contributes significantly to the success of the deal.”

Leadership/Pro Bono

At the time of his retirement, Mr. Gerstein served as an adjunct faculty member of the Northwestern University School of Law. He also served on:

  • Northwestern University’s Ray Garrett Jr. Corporate and Securities Law Institute Steering Committee
  • Youth Guidance’s Board (current member, past chair) which serves at-risk children in Chicago Public Schools
  • University of Chicago Law School’s Advisory Council
  • The University of Michigan’s Dean’s Advisory Council at the School of Literature, Science, and Arts
Latham & Watkins

Education

  • JD, University of Chicago Law School, 1984
  • BA, University of Michigan, 1981
General Recognition Thumbnail
November 22, 2016 Recognition

Global M&A Chair Named a "Rainmaker"

Mark Gerstein is recognized for his experience and reputation counseling global clients on sophisticated M&A transactions and corporate governance matters.