Sebastian R. Sperber focuses his practice on international capital markets transactions and merger and acquisition transactions.

He regularly counsels companies on compliance with U.S. securities law requirements and related corporate governance matters.

He has devoted a substantial amount of time to working on global equity offerings, including privatization transactions in several countries. Sebastian’s M&A experience includes both public and private transactions in various industries in Europe and Asia. His practice also includes derivative products, and he has assisted a number of clients in structuring OTC and listed instruments.

Sebastian joined the firm in its New York office in 1988 and became a partner in 1997. From 1990 to 2000 (except for a stint in Hong Kong in 1998), he was resident in the London office. He spent 2001 to early 2004 in Hong Kong and then returned to London.

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Selected Activities

  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, New York State Bar Association
  • Member, Board of Advisors, Columbia Journal of Transnational Law Association, Inc.

Publications

“U.S. Securities Law and Federal Income Tax Considerations in Spin-Offs by Non-U.S. Companies,” (July 2023) (co-author)  

“Final Rules for UK-listed SPACs,” Cleary Gottlieb Alert Memorandum (August 2021) (co-author)

“SPACs and More: Key Proposals for Change to the UK’s Listing Regime,” Cleary Gottlieb Alert Memorandum (June 2021) (co-author)

”London’s Premium Segment and High-Growth Companies: Return of the Dual-class Structure?,” Cleary Gottlieb Alert Memorandum (Feb. 2020) (co-author)  

U.S. Regulation of the International Securities and Derivatives Markets (12th Edition, 2017) (co-author) 

“Section 4(a)(2) Private Placements to QIBs: When the US Exemption Is Used by Non-US Companies,” PLC Magazine (Nov. 2015) (co-author)

U.S. Regulation of the International Securities and Derivatives Markets (11th Edition, 2014) (co-author)

U.S. Regulation of the International Securities and Derivatives Markets (10th Edition, 2011) (co-author)

“Precedents Codified,” International Financial Law Review (November 2008), page 48 (co-author)

U.S. Regulation of the International Securities and Derivatives Markets (9th Edition, 2008) (co-author)

“What a Relief,” International Financial Law Review (May 2007), page 40

U.S. Regulation of the International Securities and Derivatives Markets (8th Edition, 2006) (co-author)

U.S. Regulation of the International Securities and Derivatives Markets (7th Edition, 2004) (co-author)

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002: Analysis and Practice (2003) (co-author)

“Fair Disclosure: What Issuers Can Learn from SEC Actions,” International Financial Law Review (Jan. 2003), page 23 (co-author)

U.S. Regulation of the International Securities and Derivatives Markets (Sixth Edition Special Supplement 2003) (co-author)

“SEC Permits Internet-Only Communication,” International Financial Law Review (Apr. 2002), page 46 (co-author)

“SEC Targets Post-Enron Financial Disclosure,” International Financial Law Review (Mar. 2002), page 28 (co-author)

U.S. Regulation of the International Securities and Derivatives Markets (6th Edition, 2002) (co-author)

“SEC to Roll Out Edgar to Non-US Issuers,” International Financial Law Review (Dec. 2001), page 43 (co-author)

U.S. Regulation of the International Securities and Derivatives Markets (5th Edition, 2000) (co-author)

“Important Disclosure Issues for Non-US Companies Seeking A US Listing,” Chapter 6 of A Practitioner’s Guide to the EASDAQ Rules (1999/2000 Edition), pages 137-209 (co-author)

“Gustafson Revisited,” European Financial Services Law (Oct. 1996), page 273

“Securities Offerings and the ‘Net’,” European Financial Services Law (Jan. 1996), page 23
(co-author)

“Increasing the Pace of Change: A Proposal for a New US Securities Regulatory Regime,” European Financial Services Law (Aug./Sept. 1995), page 229 (co-author)

“The Gustafson Case and Diligence and Disclosure in US Private Placements,” European Financial Services Law (June 1995), page 167 (co-author)

“Exemptions from US Trading Rules for Highly-Capitalised UK Companies,” European Financial Services Law (May 1995), page 136 (co-author)

“Hegemony or Deference: U.S. Disclosure Requirements in the International Capital Markets,” The Business Lawyer (Feb. 1995), page 413 (co-author)

“Rule 144A: Room for Improvement,” Insights (Feb. 1993), page 30 (co-author)

Events