Overview
Evan Johnson is a corporate partner in the New York office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP and a member of the Firm’s Shareholder Activism & Hostile Takeover Defense Practice Group. Evan's practice focuses on preparing for and responding to shareholder activism, proxy fights, and hostile takeovers. He also advises public companies and their boards of directors and management on corporate governance, investor relations, ESG-related issues, and other corporate, transactional, and securities law matters and special situations.
His practice is informed by his prior experience advising hedge funds and other investors on matters including proxy contests, hostile takeovers, mergers and acquisitions, campaign settlement negotiations, shareholder proposals, securities filings, SEC rulemaking, and corporate governance.
Experience
Representative Matters
Since joining Kirkland, Evan has been involved in the following matters:
- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in its successful defense of a $7.8 billion hostile takeover attempt by Choice Hotels International
- Huntsman Corporation in its successful defense of a proxy contest by Starboard Value
- Constellation Brands in connection with its cooperation agreement with Elliott Management
- Controlling stockholder of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (WWE), Vince McMahon, on actions in support of a plan for WWE to undertake a review of strategic alternatives, including the election of three directors to the WWE board, and in the subsequent $21+ billion merger of WWE and UFC to form a global live sports and entertainment company
- Lee Enterprises in response to an unsolicited acquisition proposal from Alden Global Capital and in its successful defense of an attempted proxy contest by Alden
- HanesBrands in connection with its cooperation agreement with Barington Capital Group
- Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings in connection with its cooperation agreement with Legion Partners
- Mueller Water Products in connection with its cooperation agreement with Ancora Holdings
- AIM ImmunoTech in its successful defense of the first attempted proxy contest under the SEC’s universal proxy rules
- Thoma Bravo in its successful defense of its acquisition of Magnet Forensics against opposition by Nellore Capital Management
Prior to joining Kirkland, Evan was involved in the following matters:
- Box in its proxy contest victory over Starboard Value
- Cubic in connection with a potential unsolicited takeover bid by Elliott Management and subsequent $2.8 billion sale transaction with Veritas Capital and Evergreen Coast Capital
- Crown Castle in defense of the activism campaign by Elliott Management
- Alkermes in its cooperation agreement with Elliott Management and subsequent engagement with Sarissa Capital
- International Flavors & Fragrances' CEO in connection with IFF's settlement agreement with Sachem Head
- Delek US in connection with a potential unsolicited takeover bid by Carl Icahn and CVR Energy
- Big Lots in its proxy contest defense against Macellum Advisors and Ancora Advisors
- Harvard Bioscience in its activist engagement with Engine Capital
- Potbelly in its settlement agreement with shareholders led by Vann A. Avedisian
- Royce Global Value Trust in its proxy contest defense, tender offer, and settlement agreement with Saba Capital
- AMG Funds in its proxy contest defense and settlement agreement with Friess Associates
- Voce Capital in its proxy contest and settlement agreement with Argo Group International Holdings
- Representing hedge funds, including Elliott Management, JANA Partners, and Trian Fund Management, in contested situations and private engagements with public companies
Prior Experience
Sidley Austin LLP
Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP
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Credentials
Admissions & Qualifications
- 2018New York
Education
- Cornell Law SchoolJ.D.2017Cornell Law Review
- Bethel UniversityB.A., Philosophywith Honors2013