David Rosewater

David Rosewater is the Global Head of Shareholder Activism and Corporate Defense, a position he has held since joining the firm in 2015. At Morgan Stanley, which represents issuers only and was ranked the number one activist defense financial advisor for each of the last three years, David has advised on over 100 public activist defense situations. He has significant experience in public proxy contests (including Procter & Gamble, ADP and General Motors) and hostile M&A situations (including Axiall / Westlake, USG / Knauf and Depomed / Horizon Pharma).

Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, David was a Partner in the M&A Group at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP and the Co-Head of Schulte Roth's Global Shareholder Activism Practice. He specialized primarily in M&A and shareholder activism during his 20 year career as a lawyer, and his former activist clients include Elliott Associates, JANA Partners, Land & Buildings and Trian Partners. David was recognized in 2014 as “Dealmaker of the Year” by The American Lawyer for his work on some of the fiercest shareholder activism campaigns and proxy contests in the market.

Prior to joining Schulte Roth, David was an Associate at the law firms of Cravath Swaine & Moore and Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison. He earned a B.A. from the University of Michigan (with distinction) and a J.D. from New York University School of Law (cum laude).