Schulte Roth & Zabel partners Ele Klein and Brandon Gold, along with associate Samuel Dayan, authored an article titled "Shareholder Activism Developments in the 2025 Proxy Season," recently published in the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance. This comprehensive piece examines how shareholder activists have navigated global economic uncertainties, an evolving M&A environment, and regulatory headwinds during the first half of 2025.
Despite these challenges, shareholder activists have continued to employ versatile strategies to unlock shareholder value. The article highlights key trends, including the reduced number of board fights going to vote and the increased use of withhold campaigns to express shareholder dissatisfaction. Additionally, it discusses the challenges activists face in securing the support of large passive shareholders amid heightened scrutiny and regulatory pressures.
Read the full article to gain insights into the current shareholder activism landscape and its implications for corporate governance.