Goodwin has announced that Leonard Wood will be joining their team as a new partner specializing in Shareholder Activism and Takeover Defense. He will work out of both the New York and Boston offices. Initially, Wood will serve as co-chair of the practice alongside Joe Johnson, but he is set to take over as the chair of the practice starting October 1, 2025.
Wood brings a wealth of experience and expertise in guiding public companies through complex issues related to shareholder activism and proxy contests. He is well-versed in managing strategic investor relations and navigating contested mergers and acquisitions. Over the years, he has advised hundreds of public companies on how to defend against activism and prepare for potential activist campaigns effectively.
He holds a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School, along with a Ph.D. from Harvard University. During his time at Harvard, Wood also served as the editor-in-chief of the Harvard Business Law Review. His scholarly work and professional insights have earned him recognition in the field. And Wood is widely regarded as a thought leader in the areas of activism and corporate governance.
The firm’s Shareholder Activism and Takeover Defense team leverages decades of collective experience to assist public companies of all sizes and across various industries. They are committed to guiding their clients through activist investor campaigns with tailored strategies designed to achieve favorable outcomes. These strategies have led to successful activist withdrawals, favorable settlements, and strongly supported proxy campaigns. The addition of Leonard Wood to the team is expected to considerably enhance their ability to serve their clients and continue their leadership in this vital area of corporate law.
KEY QUOTES:
“Activist investor activity continues to register at an all-time high, posing challenges to public companies and shareholder interests across all industries and sizes. At Goodwin, we have built deep expertise defending companies in proxy contests and hostile takeover scenarios as well as in guiding boards through complex shareholder engagement and corporate governance mandates. Leonard’s addition enhances our shareholder activism capabilities as well as our reach across industries and continents and reinforces our ability to deliver the strategic, sophisticated counsel that helps clients navigate these dynamics successfully and emerge stronger.”
Joe Johnson, partner and chair of Goodwin’s Shareholder Activism and Takeover Defense practice
“Goodwin stands out as the singular global firm that is truly immersed in its clients’ industries. This approach creates a distinctive advantage for Goodwin in the world of shareholder activism where the name of the game for shareholder activists is their claim to expertise in each target company’s industry and business. Goodwin’s industry-built approach enables us to craft defense strategies that combine thorough sector knowledge with extensive activism experience. I’m excited to leverage Goodwin’s potent mix of legal excellence and business advisory to give company clients a sharp edge against today’s most sophisticated activist campaigns.”
Leonard Wood
