White & Case has expanded its Global Mergers & Acquisitions practice with the appointment of Stephen Fraidin as a partner in New York, further strengthening the firm’s US corporate capabilities.
Fraidin brings decades of experience across the full spectrum of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions representing bidders and targets, private equity transactions, corporate governance matters involving special committees and boards of directors, proxy contests representing companies and investors, hedge fund activism and all aspects of SPACs. He has led many of the most significant matters in these areas and is widely credited with developing deal structures that have become market standards.
He joins the firm from another law firm and previously served as Vice Chair of Pershing Square Capital Management. Fraidin has been top-rated by major legal directories, named one of the Financial Times’ top ten most innovative lawyers in North America, and is a multiple recipient of The American Lawyer’s Dealmaker of the Year award.
In addition to his legal practice, Fraidin currently teaches at Columbia Law School and previously taught at Yale Law School for more than 30 years. He also serves on advisory boards for the American Law Institute’s Restatement of the Law, Corporate Governance project, the Board of Yale Law School’s Center for the Study of Corporate Law, and New York University’s Institute for Corporate Governance & Finance.
White & Case’s Corporate practice has continued to expand since the beginning of 2025, with more than 30 lateral partners joining globally. Recent additions include Richard Brand in New York; Richard Browne, Helen Croke, Henry Birch, Arun Birla, and Jiten Tank in London; Cyril Valentin, Antoine Mercier, Sarah Fleury, and Romain Guénin in Paris; Alberto Sepulveda in Mexico City; and Aaron Kenavan and Jamie Palmer in Sydney. Other notable partner hires include Elizabeth Holland, Jonathan Polkes and Stacy Nettleton in New York; Nicholas Mitrokostas in Boston; and David Stone, Adrian Dykes and Karla Hughes in London.
KEY QUOTES:
“Steve is one of the most highly regarded M&A and corporate governance lawyers in the world. A trusted advisor to senior leaders at major companies and funds, Steve is a significant addition to our M&A team and an exceptional resource for our clients globally.”
Heather McDevitt, Chair, White & Case
“Steve has not only advised on the evolution of the M&A market, but has actively shaped it. His arrival speaks to the continued momentum of our US capabilities, which bring together top-tier talent across jurisdictions to deliver seamless service wherever our clients operate.”
Kimberly Petillo-Décossard, Co-Head of Global M&A Practice, White & Case
“White & Case has one of the most compelling M&A platforms. I know the Firm’s team well, and am delighted to offer my clients its integrated, global capabilities. I look forward to contributing to the practice’s continued growth.”
Stephen Fraidin, Partner, White & Case
