Freshfields is adept at guiding clients through corporate governance issues in the US, assisting from early stages of a company's lifecycle to pre-IPO and future growth. The team has broad regulatory expertise and often assists clients in IPOs with SEC processes, investigations and enforcement issues. On the ESG side, the firm advises clients on the current landscape for ESG issues and helps companies review ESG policies and practices to stay in line with new SEC reporting implications. The practice is also well-versed in boardroom strategy, proxy season considerations, crisis and risk management as well as shareholder engagement and activism. Pamela Marcogliese and Elizabeth Bieber co-lead the team from New York. Bieber is sought out for her longstanding experience handling shareholder activism, shareholder engagement and governance issues. Marcogliese excels in public and private company governance as well as capital market transactions.

The corporate governance team at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is engaged by boards, committees, management, shareholders and companies for advice on corporate governance issues, such as board operations, director responsibilities, and shareholder relations. The group combines the expertise of the firm's captial markets, M&A, executive compensation, activism, tax and enforcement practices to fully assist clients. It aids clients with SEC reporting responsibilities, disclosures, governance charters and policy drafting as well as shareholder matters. Francesca Odell spearheads the team in New York and leads on corporate governance and reporting matters, advising boards of directors and management. Jeffrey Karpf focuses on board structure issues and board practices, while co-head Helena Grannis is the go-to for corporate advisory issues, often handling sensitive issues such as emergency succession matters and shareholder engagement. The team was recently strengthened with the arrival of J.T. Ho from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe who resides in San Francisco. He focuses on advising public companies and boards on corporate governance, shareholder activism and securities reporting.

Based out of Washington DC, the securities and public company advisory practice at Hogan Lovells US LLP advises a large number of public US companies on a range of corporate governance mandates. Clients of the team range from newly public entities to Fortune 500 enterprises. Typical issues the team advises on include SEC enforcement, best practices for corporate governance, stock exchange listing standards, and compliance with federal securities laws. It often acts as a day-to-day advisor to clients for security compliance and corporate governance, supporting boards of directors, board committees and management. Alan Dye is an expert in federal securities law and aids clients with securities law compliance as well as corporate governance issues. Practice head John Beckman is well-versed in corporate governance and shareholder matters, acting as board or special committee counsel for clients. In Northern Virginia, Kevin Greenslade focuses on compliance with SEC reporting and federal securities law.

A heavyweight in corporate governance, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP stands out for its expertise advising public company boards of directors, independent board committees, senior management, not-for-profit organisations and public companies on the full range of corporate governance matters. The firm assists with securities regulations, compliance and crisis management, SEC reporting, financial restatements and ESG issues. It is also a go-to firm for M&A and restructuring transactions with securities law and governance aspects. Howard Dicker co-leads the New York team alongside Lyuba Goltser. Dicker specializes in securities law issues, disclosure, compliance, executive compensation and corporate governance. Public, private and not-for-profit companies all turn to Goltser to advise on governance and compliance issues including director independence, ESG and sustainability and fiduciary duties. Rebecca Graspas is noted for her work on ESG and anti-ESG issues. In Washington DC, Adé Heyliger focuses on internal investigations, leadership transitions, succession planning and independence determinations, while Kaitlin Descovich centres her practice on fiduciary duties, executive compensation and SEC reporting.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP fields an expert securities regulation and corporate governance team that is experienced in advising public companies on governance and securities issues. The practice draws on the firm's strength in capital markets and M&A to fully advise on a range of corporate governance issues from those arising in transactions to advising on securities regulation, disclosure, shareholder engagement and activism. The team is comprised of partners with deep expertise in corporate governance due to their backgrounds at the SEC, enabling them to handle SEC reporting and compliance. Shareholder proposals is a key focus of the group which is active advising clients in the proxy season. In Washington DC, Elizabeth Ising specializes in shareholder proposals and proxy advisory firms, while Thomas Kim leads on SEC disclosure and regulatory matters. Over in New York, Lori Zyskowski is well-versed in acting as corporate governance advisor to companies. The aforementioned lawyers all co-lead the practice.

Based in New York, Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP continues to advise large public companies and private companies with corporate governance issues such as structuring governance plans and protocols. The team often handles M&A transactions and governance aspects related to these deals which can support complex co-ownership structures. ESG is also a key focus of the firm which advises clients on board strategy, disclosure issues, reporting for boards and management as well as investigations and due diligence. Helene Banks, Brockton Bosson and Brian Markley are all experts in corporate governance issues, with Markley handling internal investigations by the DOJ and SEC and Bosson aiding with compliance counselling.

Cooley LLP is an expert in handling corporate governance matters for boards and directors and management teams. The firm has significant experience handling corporate governance issues that arise from a company’s inception through to its IPO. The team is comprised of former SEC and US Attorney members, positioning them well to advise on federal securities regulation. It also handles shareholder issues such as shareholder activism, shareholder proposals and SEC no-action letters. The practice is jointly led by governance specialists Beth Sasfai and Brad Goldberg from New York. Goldberg focuses on securities law compliance, listing requirements related to IPOs as well as SEC reporting and disclosure requirements. Sasfai centers her work on corporate governance, shareholder engagement and ESG reporting. Sarah Sellers is noted for her work on corporate governance frameworks. In San Francisco, Chadwick Mills is the go-to for biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients requiring governance advice.

Public companies seeking expertise in corporate governance turn to Latham & Watkins for advice on SEC reporting, disclosure obligations, ESG issues and stock exchange compliance. In New York, Jenna Cooper leads the team and is noted for her work on securities and corporate governance, assisting with compliance with the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Corporate Governance Rules. Corporate specialist Keith Halverstam is a leading lawyer for corporate governance matters and SEC investigations and issues. Over in Washington DC, Joel H. Trotter stands out for his work on US securities law and corporate transactions, while Julia A. Thompson leads the DC team focusing on company representation and securities regulation.

White & Case LLP centers its New York-based practice on advising public companies on SEC, NYSE and NASDAQ compliance as well as other corporate governance issues. The team also assists with recommendations of proxy advisors and works with proxy solicitors and compensation consultants to fully assist with compensation policies and disclosures. Maia Gez is the key name to note, she is an expert in corporate governance and securities regulations. She excels in handling SEC regulatory matters such as fiduciary duties, conflicts of interest, SEC reporting and disclosure requirements. She works alongside Scott Levi, who advises public companies on day-to-day governance issues, SEC reporting, compensation disclosure and compliance with federal securities laws.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP supports public companies and their boards in corporate governance issues, advising clients on governance policies and procedures, carrying out board and CEO evaluations and looking at board composition and succession planning. It also aids clients with crisis management and shareholder engagement. The firm also leverages its expertise in finance to aid clients on any governance aspects of M&As, IPOs, restructurings and capital markets transactions. Sophia Hudson is an important name to note, she is well-versed in advising clients on corporate governance aspects of transactions, SEC compliance and disclosure. She resides in New York.

The corporate group at Akin regularly handles corporate governance issues as part of M&A transactions and aids directors and officers with fiduciary duties, corporate governance structures and practices and ESG issues. The team is well-versed in a number of different regulatory and compliance requirements such as the NYSE, Nasdaq listing rules, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Activism is another key focuson the firm as well as shareholder communications, proxy and annual meeting preparations and executive compensation. Chair of the team, Kerry Berchem, is experienced in handling boardroom issues and corporate governance mandates from New York.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is known for its work in the corporate governance space, led by expert Ning Chiu in New York. The firm often acts as outside counsel to clients, advising on boardroom issues, shareholder activism and CEO succession. It also excels in handling issues related to disclosure, fiduciary responsibilities, regulatory compliance, SEC board and executive compensation as well as ESG issues. The team regularly reviews governance practices of clients and ensures that they stay up-to-date with current regulations. Chiu is well-respected for her work on corporate governance, advising on director independence, board composition, board policies, succession planning, securities regulation and proxy disclosures.

A team to note for large companies and private equity sponsors, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP's corporate governance team is fully equipped to advise on ESG, corporate responsibility, proxy issues and other corporate governance issues. It is also well-versed in helping clients with corporates governance aspects of M&As and litigation. The New York team is co-led by William Regner, Maeve O’Connor and Matthew Kaplan. Corporate specialist Regner excels in public company transactions and corporate governance, O'Conner is a securities and M&A litigation expert and Kaplan aids public and private companies on disclosure, securities regulation and corporate governance.

DLA Piper LLP (US)'s corporate governance team leverages the firm's expertise across technology, life sciences, digital assets and mining to advise public clients in these sectors on corporate governance. The team advises companies on their disclosure requirements under federal securities law, take-private transactions, director selection, development of governance programs and director fiduciary duties. Practice head Era Anagnosti leads the team from Washington DC and is well-versed in SEC reporting obligations and corporate governance. In Austin, John Gilluly aids with compliance with the SEC, Larry Nishnick assists public companies with reporting and governance in San Diego and Sanjay Shirodkar is part of the DC team and focuses on federal securities law compliance.

The public company advisory practice at Goodwin is spearheaded by David Lynn, while Jonathan Hecht leads the SEC Enforcement team. The firm is known for its expertise in advising public companies in the technology, food and beverage, life sciences, financial services and pharmaceutical industries. The team is well-versed in securities regulatory matters, SEC reporting and compliance and other corporate governance mandates. Lynn is sought out by companies, boards of directors and underwriters for corporate governance and securities issues, including SEC reporting and disclosure requirements and shareholder proposals. As a former SEC official, Hecht excels in handling matters related to federal securities law and regulations. Both practitioners are based in Washington DC.

Based in New York, the public companies and corporate governance team at Mayer Brown has continued to grow with the arrival of counsel Liz Walsh in early 2025, who sits in Washington DC. She utilizes her background working at the SEC to advise public companies on federal securities law issues. Capital markets specialist Anna Pinedo chairs the New York practice and is equipped to advise companies on corporate governance and securities issues. Typical clients of the firm include technology, telecoms, life sciences, financial institutions and REITs. Jennifer Zepralka resides in Washington DC and is noted for her expertise in SEC issues.

Fielding a dedicated corporate governance team, Sidley Austin LLP is adept at advising clients on a wide array of corporate governance issues from fiduciary duties, board oversight responsibilities to financial disclosures, shareholder relations and regulatory compliance. It has experience advising clients on sensitive issues that could potentially cause reputational damage, such as board crisis management, investigations and CEO transitions. Holly Gregory chairs the New York team and is an expert in crisis management and ESG issues. She aids clients with maintaining governance best practices, board and committee structures, fiduciary duties, risk oversight and other issues. John Kelsh leads the Chicago team and is known for his work on federal securities law, executive compensation and corporate governance.

The public company advisory and governance practice at Morrison Foerster focuses on advising public companies on SEC rules, regulations and investigations. The Washington DC team is experienced in handling securities enforcement issues and regulatory investigations related to disclosure, accounting and leadership issues. Team lead Scott Lesmes is a go-to lawyer for securities regulations, counselling clients on SEC reporting and disclosure requirements. Co-head Brandon Van Grack is noted for his work on investigations and regulatory issues, while co-chair Ryan Adams leverages his background at the SEC to advise on federal securities law and securities regulation.

Jones Walker LLP assists clients with corporate governance, securities issues, executive compensation and ESG disclosures. The team is chaired by Alexandra Clark Layfield from Baton Rouge, she advises public and private companies on corporates governance, securities law and corporate law. Co-head Clinton Hansford Smith resides in New Orleans and is well-versed in capital markets, IPOs, shareholder issues and corporate governance. Also part of the New Orleans team, Kelly Simoneaux is the go-to for SEC compliance and disclosure requirements, while Victoria Bagot centers her work on securities disclosures, shared holder activism, corporate governance and ESG matters.

Advising blue chip companies and corporate public companies, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe assists clients with public reporting and compliance, shareholder engagement and activism, state law advice, ESG issues and corporate governance. The team focuses on advising companies looking to go public on corporate governance issues arising from IPOs. Team lead Albert Vanderlaan mainly advises life sciences and technology clients on corporate governance and securities law compliance. He sits in Boston, while in San Francisco, Bill Hughes advises public and late state private companies on IPOs and corporate governance. J.T. Ho left the firm in January 2025.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP's public company advisory practice advises both international and US public companies on compliance with US securities law, disclosure issues, proxy statement reviews and other corporate governance issues. The team is based in New York and spearheaded by Karen Hsu Kelley who advises boards of directors and board committees on best practices in governance, sensitive management and board leadership transitions and board structures. The team regularly advises clients on a ongoing basis to keep on top of their board, governance and disclosure issues.

Sullivan & Worcester LLP is well-versed in advising independent directors, boards of directors, board committees and leaders of for-profit and not-for-profit companies on corporate governance and compliance. The firm assists with internal investigations, crisis and conflict management, board structuring, decision making and regulatory compliance issues. Practice head Nicole Crum specializes in representing boards and board committees as well as financial services in the operation of investment companies, shareholder engagement, compliance and other corporate governance matters. She sits in Washington DC.

Often serving as outside counsel to domestic and international public companies, WilmerHale regularly advises on corporate governance and disclosure practices. The team is comprised of corporate law specialists who are well-versed in SEC-related issues, investigations, compliance and shareholder issues. The practice is co-led by Jonathan Wolfman and Lillian Brown from Washington DC. Brown has extensive experience advising boards and public companies on SEC reporting, proxy and annual meeting matters, shareholder activism and proposals. Alex Bahn excels in SEC reporting, disclosure requirements and other governance issues.