Stephen D. Alexander’s practice includes a broad range of significant business litigation, with particular emphasis on securities, derivative, corporate governance, and acquisition-related matters and proxy contests.
Recently, Stephen represented Kayak, Honeywell, NetLogic, Pacific Capital Bancorp, and Mercury Computer Systems, as well as private equity clients in merger or acquisition related litigation. He has represented Special Committees and conducted investigations on behalf of Special or Independent Committees in connection with derivative claims or other internal investigations as well as merger or acquisitions. He has represented activist investors including Shamrock and Yucaipa in connection with corporate governance or performance campaigns and related litigation. Mr. Alexander has litigated important cases involving corporate governance issues, including successfully representing two Disney directors in the Delaware litigation involving the hiring and subsequent firing of Michael Ovitz.
selected representations
Obtained a dismissal of a shareholder lawsuit challenging Boston Scientific’s acquisition of Croycor Inc.
Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan Chase, UBS Warburg, US Bancorp Piper Jaffray as lead underwriters in the dj Orthopedic IPO shareholder class action
Society of Lloyd’s in various actions with California Names
Health Systems International Inc., Foundation Health and Hillhaven in merger transactions and related securities litigation
Health Systems International Inc. in securities litigation against Medaphis Inc.
Shamrock Holdings in its attempted acquisition of Polaroid Corporation and in its acquisition of a controlling interest in L.A. Gear Company
L.A. Gear in securities class and derivative actions
Sargent Fletcher Inc. in a major trade secrets matter
Credit Swiss in connection with the Marcos litigation
Vermont American in its defense of an attempted acquisition by Newell Rubbermaid and related securities action
L.A. Gear, Thales Navigation and others in a number of trademark and other intellectual property matters
Computer Sciences Corporation in a major insurance coverage dispute
Dial Corporation in an acquisition related dispute
Aldila Inc., Allergan Inc., the Nostalgia Network and a number of major investment banking firms in securities, corporate governance and merger-related litigation
Concept Communications Inc. in its fight for control of Nostalgia Network Inc.
Cipher Data Products Inc. in its acquisition by Archive
Shaklee Corporation in its defense of an attempted acquisition by Irwin Jacobs and related securities litigation
A major shareholder in connection with a proxy fight for control of Hollywood Park racetrack
Burlington Resources Inc. (formerly Burlington Northern) in its acquisition of El Paso Natural Gas Company and in related securities and shareholder litigations
Eckerd Corporation in its defense of an acquisition by the Haft family
Bendix in its attempted acquisition of Martin Marietta
Forstmann Little & Co. in its attempted acquisition of Revlon Consumer Products Corporation
Occidental Petroleum Corporation in its attempted acquisition of Mead
Humana Inc. in its acquisition of American Medicorp
Ludlow in its defense of an attempted acquisition by Tyco Laboratories Inc.
Education
University of Minnesota Law School, 1975, Juris Doctor
Macalester College, 1971, Bachelor of Arts
Admissions
California
New York
US Supreme Court
US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
US District Court for the Central District of California
US District Court for the Eastern District of California
US District Court for the Northern District of California
US District Court for the Southern District of California
US District Court for the Southern District of New York
Supreme Court of California
New York State Office of the Court
Awards and Affiliations
Recognized, The Best Lawyers in America (2016–2018)
Top Attorney in Corporate Litigation (Securities Litigation), Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition (2009)
Recognized, Securities Litigation, Southern California, Super Lawyers (2007–2008, 2010–2013)
Recognized, Securities Litigation, Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition (2009)
Advisory Board, Institute for Corporate Counsel, University of Southern California, Gould School of Law
Member, Board of Directors of the Friends of the Los Angeles Law Library