Based in New York, Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP fields one of the few practices dedicated exclusively to advising activist shareholders, and continues to sit at the center of the US shareholder activism market. The team is regularly engaged on high-intensity campaigns for hedge funds and other investors, providing end-to-end support that combines governance and securities execution with day-to-day strategic counseling throughout live engagements. The practice is particularly strong where campaigns require coordinated shareholder outreach, disciplined disclosure work, and sustained negotiations with boards and management teams, including in situations shaped by corporate transactions and change-of-control dynamics. The group is led by Andrew Freedman and Ryan Nebel, who remain closely involved in campaign strategy, nomination and notice processes, engagement planning, and settlement negotiations. Steve Wolosky continues to advise on complex proxy contest and hostile-scenario mandates. The bench is reinforced by Meagan Reda, Kenneth Mantel, Rebecca Van Derlaske, and Dorothy Sluszka, who play active roles across SEC filings, proxy rules, governance analysis, and negotiations, supporting a steady flow of domestic and cross-border shareholder engagements.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Quick response time, excellent commercial litigation advice, and appropriately staffing matters’
‘Andrew Freedman is one of the top shareholder activism practitioners in the country. He is also an amazing person who the entire team enjoys working alongside. He is a true partner to our firm. His partners and associates make for a deep bench in the shareholder activism area.’
‘Incredibly responsive Deep activist strategy counsel’
‘Ryan Nebel is very responsive, practical, solutions oriented, represents client perspectives well. Alongside, Steve Wolosky who offers sage advice and counsel, highly strategic, deep experience’
‘Olshan is preeminent in the field of shareholder activism. They do more representations than anyone else in the industry.’
‘Steve Wolosky is basically the founder of the shareholder activism model in law firms. Our other partner Ryan Nebel is excellent and also very responsive and I expect him to continue to be a leader in the space.’
Key clients
- Ancora Advisors, LLC
- Anson Funds
- Bradley Radoff
- Browning West LP
- Elliott Investment Management L.P.
- Engaged Capital LLC
- Engine Capital LP
- Findell Capital Management
- H Partners
- Impactive Capital
- Irenic Capital Management, LLC
- JCP Investment Management, LLC
- Kushner Companies LLC
- Land & Buildings Investment Management, LLC
- Legion Partners Asset Management, LLC
- Marathon Partners Equity Management, LLC
- Outerbridge Capital Management, LLC
- Pleasant Lake Partners
- Rubric Capital
Work highlights
Representing Starboard Value LP in all activist, governance-related, and company negotiations for campaigns at Autodesk, Inc., Kenvue Inc. and Fortrea Holdings.
Representing Elliott Investment Management L.P., one of the oldest fund managers of its kind under continuous management, in all activist, governance-related, and company negotiations for campaigns at Phillips 66, Southwest Airlines Co., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company and Honeywell International.
Representing Ancora Advisors, LLC on all activist-related matters regarding its engagement with United States Steel Corporation and Forward Air Corporation.
Lawyers
Leading lawyers: Advice to shareholders
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners: Advice to shareholders
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Andrew Freedman; Ryan Nebel
Other key lawyers
Steve Wolosky; Meagan Reda; Kenneth Mantel; Rebecca Van Derlaske; Dorothy Sluszka