Lawyers in United States

Shaun Mathew

Shaun is a corporate partner and a leader of the Firm’s Shareholder Activism & Hostile Takeover Defense practice, which was recognized by its peers as the #1 activism defense law firm practice in 13D Monitor’s 2025 qualitative league tables. Shaun is recognized as one of the 500 leading lawyers in America across all practice areas by Lawdragon, and as among the top five lawyers for activism and takeover defense by Chambers USA and The Legal 500 US. Shaun is a frequent speaker on shareholder activism and corporate governance. He has appeared on Bloomberg TV and has guest lectured at Harvard Law and Michigan Law School, among others. His articles have been featured in Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance, and he has been quoted in leading publications including The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, The New York Times, The Deal and Law360. In his practice, Shaun counsels public companies and their boards in defending live proxy fights, negotiating truces with activist hedge funds, responding to short attacks, defending M&A deals against activist opposition, as well as guiding companies through complex corporate governance and other crisis matters. His recent experience includes defending public companies and private equity sponsors in several of the most high profile challenges to M&A transactions, and he has defended clients against campaigns mounted by a number of activist investors including Elliott Management, Starboard Value, Politan Capital Management, Carl Icahn and JANA Partners.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Shauna Sarno

Senior Associate

Withers

Shawn Christianson

Shawn M. Christianson focuses her practice on insolvency, receiverships, and complex litigation with an emphasis on technology related issues. She represents financial institutions, secured and unsecured creditors, technology companies, receivers, and bankruptcy trustees. Her practice spans the state, federal and bankruptcy courts, as well as out of court proceedings and mediation. She argued, and prevailed at every level from the trial court through the Ninth Circuit, a seminal case on the topic of perfection of security interests in unregistered copyrights, In re: World Auxiliary Power. Ms. Christianson is a former member of Buchalter’s Board of Directors, as well as the former Managing Shareholder of the Firm’s San Francisco office. Ms. Christianson was elected to and served two terms on the Board of Directors as a Director-At-Large of the International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation and is a former Co-Chair of the Northern California Network of IWIRC. She has served on several boards and committees, including the California Receiver’s Forum, the Bay Area Chapter of the California Receiver’s Forum, where she also served as Vice President, the Board of Directors of the Bay Area Bankruptcy Forum (“BABF”), BABF’s Program and Finance Committees and the organizing committee of the California Bankruptcy Forum’s Fifth Annual Conference. She was appointed to a three-year term as a Lawyer Representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference and served on the Northern District of California’s Local Rules Committee which addressed both the District and Bankruptcy Court’s Local Rules. She is a trained mediator and has acted as a Resolution Advocate on the Bankruptcy Dispute Resolution Panel in the Northern District of California since that Panel’s creation. She served as both Chair and Vice-Chair of the Bar Association of San Francisco’s Commercial Law and Bankruptcy section, and was a founding member of the Barrister Club’s Speakers Bureau. She is a frequent lecturer and author, and has been profiled in the Receivership News. Ms. Christianson served two terms as the Mayor of the Town of Hillsborough, California, including leading the city through the first year of the pandemic. She has been an active participant in numerous community and civic organizations. She was elected in November 2005 to the Hillsborough City School District’s Board of Trustees, became President of that Board in 2009, and served on the Hillsborough City Council from 2012-2020, during which time she was both Vice Mayor and Mayor. Ms. Christianson was recognized as 2025 Lawdragon 500 leading U.S. Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers, an honor she has received since 2020. Additionally, Ms. Christianson, who is AV Preeminent rated, has been selected as Super Lawyers Top Rated Lawyer in Northern California since 2005 and as one of Super Lawyers Top Women Attorneys Northern California, an honor she has received since 2016, and to Martindale-Hubbell’s Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers. She has been recognized as a Best Lawyer in America in the areas of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights and Insolvency and Reorganization Law, an honor she has received since 2016. Additionally, in 2016, Ms. Christianson was selected by the Cal Alumni Association Board of Directors and the UC Berkeley Foundation Board of Trustees to receive the Spirit of 1868 Volunteer Award, which acknowledges alumni and friends who have demonstrated outstanding volunteer leadership and accomplishments in support of the university’s philanthropic and outreach efforts.

Buchalter Law Firm

Shawn Cooley

Partner

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

Shawn Crowley

Partner

Hecker Fink LLP

Shawn Helms

Shawn C. Helms is co-head of the Firm’s Technology Transactions & Outsourcing Practice. Shawn has broad experience in the areas of information technology, outsourcing, blockchain, crypto, artificial intelligence (AI), digital health and telecommunications. He focuses his practice on complex transactions involving technology and intellectual property, including information technology outsourcing (ITO), business process outsourcing (BPO), licensing, cloud computing arrangements (IaaS, SaaS and PaaS), technology maintenance and services, technology development/customization (including iPhone and Android), wireless infrastructure, AI, generative AI (such as ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion), social media issues, strategic alliances, e-commerce, internet of things (IoT), confidentiality, strategic sourcing and data security/privacy. Shawn has considerable experience in blockchain and cryptocurrency matters including NFTs, DAOs and enterprise blockchain applications. Shawn regularly works on the transactional aspects of cryptocurrency bankruptcy and liquidation matters. Shawn also regularly works on digital health matters involving wearables, data licensing and strategy issues, AI and mobile applications. He also advises clients on IT and IP diligence, transition services agreements (TSAs) and other technology and intellectual property matters relating to the acquisition or divestiture of businesses. Shawn also has significant experience in advising clients through software audits and related negotiations and settlements, open source software issues and software escrow matters. Shawn has been working in the field of AI for more than 10 years and is the founding member of the McDermott AI cross-practice group and resource center (ailawcenter.com). Shawn is regularly working with clients in connection with issues related to utilizing generative AI, particularly in the implementation and utilization of technologies like ChatGPT, Bard, Dall-E 2, Stable Diffusion, and GitHub Copilot.

McDermott Will & Schulte

Shawn Hogue

Partner

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Shawn Ledingham

Shawn Ledingham is a steadfast advocate for his clients and his community, demonstrating unwavering commitment to every person and organization he represents. His experience spans a diverse range of entities, including publicly traded multibillion-dollar companies, leading sports leagues, preeminent law firms, universities, and individual pro bono clients. Few companies or individuals will know what it means to have their day in court, as most cases are dismissed before a jury is ever sworn in, due to judicial rulings or economic considerations. Shawn has a strong track record of securing early victories through motion practice and successfully positioning difficult cases for resolution. But when a trial becomes inevitable, Shawn’s clients rely on his thorough understanding of trial evidence, his quick adaptability to any set of facts, and his practical appreciation of what resonates with a jury. As the nature of existentially threatening litigation has shifted over the years, Shawn has consistently defended his clients against emerging threats. For example, with the recent proliferation of public antitrust enforcement and private litigation, he has represented clients in industries ranging from sports, to agriculture, to pharmaceuticals, against claims of anticompetitive conduct. Shawn has also developed substantial experience in toxic tort, product liability and environmental litigation as these cases have increasingly evolved into bet-the-company lawsuits and trials. Amidst the changing trends, one constant is the need for attorneys to advocate for the unheard voices in our communities. Shawn embodies this principle through his service on the boards of Public Counsel and the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Counsel for Justice, addressing the unmet legal needs of Los Angeles’s most vulnerable. Within Proskauer, he is a member of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee and maintains a robust pro bono practice. In furtherance of his commitment to the rule of law by an independent judiciary, Shawn is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Judicial Appointments Committee, where he evaluates nominees to fill judicial vacancies.

Proskauer Rose LLP

Shawn O'Brien

international tax authorities. Drawing on his 25 years of experience, Shawn represents clients in tax examinations and administrative appeals and, when necessary, serves as a forceful advocate in litigation before the US Tax Court, US district courts, the US Court of Federal Claims, state courts and federal appellate courts. Shawn’s experience spans a broad range of tax issues that affect many different industries, including energy, renewables, financial services, life sciences, manufacturing, media and entertainment, technology and aviation. He advises domestic, foreign and multinational corporations, partnerships, master limited partnerships, real estate investment trusts and limited liability companies on tax issues in connection with foreign and domestic transactions. He also counsels clients in disputes involving transfer pricing, debt versus equity, loss carrybacks, international withholdings, advance pricing agreements, tax shelter disallowances, research and development tax credits, changes in accounting methods, captive insurance, related-party transactions, repatriation structures, inbound distributors, foreign credit transactions and penalty abatements. Shawn has also developed a market-leading federal and state excise tax practice that advises some of the largest corporations on excise tax planning and controversies. Read full biography: https://www.mwe.com/people/shawn-obrien/

McDermott Will & Schulte

Shawn Obi

Winston Taylor

Shawn Wood

Mr. Wood is a partner in the Chicago office of Seyfarth Shaw, LLP and a member of the firm’s National Trial Team. He serves as national chair of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group.

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Shay Dvoretzky

Partner

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Shaya Rochester

Nearly all companies encounter insolvency or restructuring issues, sometimes in their own businesses and other times with their business partners. When those issues arise, Shaya Rochester has nearly two decades of experience guiding clients of all types through complex in- and out-of-court restructurings. He seeks to maximize value for his clients in the most time and cost-efficient manner possible. Often, this calls for an outside-the-box approach, but one that remains rooted in an understanding of the client's business realities and objectives. Shaya has nearly two decades of experience representing hedge funds, private equity funds, banks, indenture trustees and official and unofficial creditors committees in complex in- and out-of-court restructuring matters, including debt for equity swaps, DIP financings, bridge financings, purchasing assets and defending and prosecuting claims and causes of action. He also has significant expertise representing corporate debtors and other company side constituencies, including management, boards of directors, independent directors and equity sponsors. Knowing that restructurings are always about more than the strict application of bankruptcy law, Shaya makes it his job to understand everything about a company's capital structure, business operations, industry and competitors before developing his approach. He never hides behind legalese, possessing a talent for explaining complex concepts in plain language. That not only helps his clients understand the issues they face, but, as in Shaya's representation of the disinterested directors in the Toys"R"Us bankruptcy, can help them reach resolutions with contentious third parties.

Katten

Shayna Cook

Partner, Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP

Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP

Shayne Henry

Shayne Henry represents clients in complex commercial litigation and arbitration. Shayne draws on deep state and federal court trial and case management experience to guide startups, public and private companies, and private equity funds on a broad range of high-stakes disputes involving: Mass torts and product liability Trade secrets and intellectual property US and international arbitration Employment-related and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) matters Class actions and multidistrict litigation (MDL) Restructuring-related litigation in US bankruptcies Shayne is an experienced trial attorney who handles contested proceedings through verdict and appeal, approaching cases from day one with a focus on positioning clients for a favorable outcome, whether in or out of the courtroom. Shayne also counsels transactional clients, particularly in the oil and gas sector, on risk, regulatory issues, and potential litigation matters. He maintains an active pro bono practice, including serving as a supervising attorney on matters for human rights law clinics at the University of Texas School of Law and UC Berkeley School of Law. Before joining Latham, Shayne worked at two other global law firms and clerked for Judge Thelton E. Henderson of the US District Court for the Northern District of California.

Latham & Watkins

Shayne Kennedy

Shayne Kennedy advises clients on capital markets, with a particular emphasis on public and private securities offerings for issuers and underwriters in a range of industries including biotechnology, medical devices and medtech, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, digital health, technology, and consumer products. He also represents various public and private companies in general corporate and securities matters including corporate governance, public company reporting, and stock exchange rules and requirements. Shayne currently serves as Global Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Healthcare & Life Sciences Industry Group. He is the former Managing Partner of the firm’s Orange County office, the former Global Co- Chair of the firm's Capital Markets Practice, and a former Vice Chair of the firm's Associates Committee. Shayne has been ranked by Chambers USA in Capital Markets: Debt & Equity – California for 14 years and Capital Markets: Debt & Equity – Western United States. He is actively involved in a variety of charitable and church-related activities.

Latham & Watkins

Shea Haass

Norton Rose Fulbright

Sheel Patel

Partner

Mayer Brown

Sheena Paul

Sheena Paul is a partner based in the Washington D.C. office and a member of the firm’s Investment Management Group. Ms. Paul focuses on regulatory and compliance matters in the investment management industry and has extensive experience advising U.S. and non-U.S. asset managers and other financial institutions on complex issues arising under the U.S. federal securities laws, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and the Securities Act of 1933. Ms. Paul counsels private fund advisers across a range of regulatory issues, including the structuring of new products, registration, compliance with new SEC rules and interpretations, fund marketing, SEC filings, compliance programs, SEC examinations, and conflicts of interest. She works closely with the firm’s other practice groups to provide regulatory expertise in the context of fundraising, mergers and acquisitions, capital-markets transactions, SEC enforcement matters, and transactions involving insurance arrangements. Ms. Paul writes frequently on regulatory issues that are important to investment advisers and is a regular speaker at industry events. She is ranked for Investment Funds: Regulatory & Compliance by Chambers USA (2025), where clients describe her as “a very knowledgeable lawyer.” She is also recommended by The Legal 500 US (2024). She received her B.A. from Macalester College in 2007 and her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 2012.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Shehmin Awan

Associate - Corporate and Finance Transactions

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner

Sheila McCafferty Harvey

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Sheila Millar

Partner

Keller and Heckman LLP

Sheila Pozon

Partner, New York

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer

Sheila Swaroop

Partner

Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP