Activist funds have evolved into an imposing asset class, running dozens of campaigns each year. They are agitating around deals and installing directors on boards to push for ESG initiatives. These 13 lawyers are leading the field, either representing investors or defending against them. Joe Johnson, former chair of Goodwin’s M&A practice and head of its Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defense practice, has advised major clients against activist campaigns, and continues to advise many of them on M&A deals. “I’ve been doing this before activism was a word,” Johnson said. “Around 2010, we started branding ourselves and marketing our expertise.” Read the Business Insider article here.