Lawrence Elbaum is Co-Head of Sullivan & Cromwell’s Shareholder Activism Practice and a partner in the Firm’s M&A Group. Lawrence leverages over two decades of experience as a securities attorney and business advisor to counsel boards and c-suites of public companies with respect to proxy fights, hostile bids, merger contests, “Withhold the Vote” or “Vote No” campaigns, precatory proposals and short attacks, as well as an array of complex corporate governance matters.
Over the past 10 proxy seasons, Lawrence has led over 400 activism defense engagements for public companies of all sizes and across all industries. He regularly defends clients against high-profile shareholder activists such as Elliott Management, Starboard Value, Carl Icahn, D.E. Shaw, Corvex Management, Engaged Capital, Ancora Advisors and Third Point.
“Lawrence is incredibly sharp, sophisticated and thoughtful. He applies his vast knowledge and expertise in a nuanced fashion, and strategic thoughts bring real value to any project.” – Chambers USA, Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense (New York), 2025.
Outside the office, Lawrence works with organizations to promote gender and ethnic diversity in public company boardrooms across corporate America. He also devotes significant efforts to pro bono work, including having represented battered and indigent women in connection with divorce, alimony, and child custody and support proceedings in New York City. In addition, he supports a host of regional, national and global charities, including various Holocaust remembrance and genocide prevention initiatives, The Boys and Girls Club of America and Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone.
