Practice Areas
Honors
- Andy has been ranked as a "Leading Lawyer" in Corporate/M&A: Shareholder Activism by Chambers USA, since 2017
- Andy has been recognized as a Tier 1 "Leading Lawyer" in The Legal 500 U.S. in in M&A/Corporate and Commercial: Shareholder Activism - Advice to Shareholders, since 2019
- Andy has been recognized as a "Recommended Lawyer" in The Legal 500 U.S. in M&A/Corporate and Commercial - Corporate Governance for 2018
- Andy was named one of the top 13 attorneys in the shareholder activism space by Business Insider in 2022
- Andy has been named to the New York Super Lawyers list, a Thomson Reuters lawyer rating service, since 2016
- Andy has been consistently named to the New York Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, a Thomson Reuters lawyer rating service for lawyers under 40, from 2012 - 2015
Education
J.D., Washington University School of Law, St. Louis, 2004
B.S., University of Michigan, 1998
Bar & Court Admissions
- 2006, New York
Andy’s practice focuses on shareholder activism campaigns, proxy fights, hostile takeover strategies, corporate governance and investor engagements with public company boards of directors. Andy has been cited for his preeminence in Shareholder Activism by Chambers USA as one of the top practitioners in the country every year since it began covering the practice area, and The Legal 500 as a Tier 1 Leading Lawyer for the past several years. Held in high regard by clients and peers alike, they note "Andrew is very sophisticated technically but also strategically and he will go to great lengths to help his clients. I consider him not just a lawyer, but a trusted adviser," and "He is a master strategist and extremely savvy." As one client stated to Legal 500, “Having an attorney of Andy’s caliber and aggressiveness helped lend credibility and teeth to our campaign, which ultimately yielded a highly successful settlement.” Andy was also profiled in Business Insider as one of the top go-to lawyers for activist investors.
Over the course of his 17-year career, Andy has represented investors on hundreds of major shareholder activism campaigns. All told, he has helped his clients replace approximately 1,000 directors on public company boards. His recent successful campaigns include Starboard Value at eHealth and Corteva, Elliott Management at Duke Energy and Willis Towers Watson, Outerbridge Capital at Comtech Telecommunications, Voss Capital at Griffon Corporation, Browning West at Countryside Properties plc (UK) and Oaktree Capital at Infinera Corporation.
Andy’s continued track record of leading clients to landmark, precedent-setting proxy contest victories includes his representation of Starboard Value on its historic full board victory at Darden Restaurants, H. Partners in a seminal withhold campaign at Tempur Sealy, Starboard Value in its successful campaign for change at Yahoo!, and Elliott Management in its successful campaign at Arconic. Andy has substantial experience advising on activist campaigns in Canada, the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Bermuda. He has represented clients in more than two dozen proxy contests in Canada, including advising private equity firm Waterton in its successful proxy contest at Hudbay Minerals and RCF Management in its successful campaign for leadership change at IAMGOLD.
Andy is quoted frequently as an industry expert in national publications and news outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Corporate Secretary Magazine, Law360, Activist Insight, Activism Monthly, and The Deal. Andy also speaks on activist panels throughout the country and contributes articles on shareholder activism to notable media and academic publications, including Harvard Law School’s Forum on Corporate Governance.
Under Andy’s leadership, Olshan’s Shareholder Activism Practice has been recognized widely as the top-ranked global premier practice in representing activist investors in contested director elections. Olshan is ranked as the No. 1 legal advisor to activist investors by every league table and publication covering shareholder activism, including Bloomberg’s Activism Advisory League Tables, FactSet’s Flashwire quarterly reports, Refinitiv Global Shareholder Activism Scorecard and Insightia’s Activist Insight Monthly. In 2021, Olshan advised on a record number 119 campaigns according to the Bloomberg Activism Advisory League Tables. Chambers USA 2022 Guide ranked Olshan's Shareholder Activism Practice "Band 1," the guide’s highest ranking in the category of M&A Shareholder Activism. Chambers notes: "Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP is very strong in areas of strategy and precise execution. We have been consistently impressed with the depth and breadth of talent." The Legal 500 United States 2022 guide to leading law firms and attorneys has named Olshan's Shareholder Activism Practice as a Top Tier 1 Leading Firm in M&A/corporate and commercial: Shareholder Activism - advice to shareholders. The publication affirmed that "Olshan’s New York-based shareholder activism group acts for some of the markets most prolific strategic investors, including Starboard Value and Elliott Management."
Recent Successful Campaigns for Board Representation:
- Armistice Capital @ Avalo Therapeutics, Inc. (settlement reached for 1 board seat)
- Elliott Management @ Duke Energy Corp. (settlement reached for 2 board seats)
- Elliott Management @ Willis Towers Watson PLC (agreement reached to appoint 4 new directors)
- Kanen Wealth Management @ 1847 Goedeker, Inc. (settlement reached for 2 board seats)
Notable 2021 Successful Campaigns for Board Representation:
- Ancora Advisors @ Forward Air Corp. (settlement reached for 5 board seats)
- Bradley Radoff @ TETRA Technologies, Inc. (settlement reached for 1 board seat)
- Elliott Management @ Public Storage (settlement reached for 2 board seats)
- Elliott Management @ Principal Financial Group, Inc. (settlement reached for 2 board seats)
- Engaged Capital @ Evolent Health, Inc. (settlement reached for 1 board seat and proposal to declassify Board)
- HoldCo Asset Management @ Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (settlement reached for 2 board seats)
- Land & Buildings @ American Campus Communities, Inc. (settlement reached for 3 board seats)
- Legion Partners @ OneSpan Inc. (settlement reached for 2 board seats)
- Macellum Capital, Ancora Advisors, Legion Partners, and 4010 Capital @ Kohl’s Corporation (settlement reached for 3 board seats)
- Maran Partners @ Scott’s Liquid Gold-Inc (settlement reached for 3 board seats)
- MG Capital @ Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc. (f/k/a Contura Energy, Inc.) (settlement reached for 3 board seats)
- Ryan Cohen @ GameStop Corp. (settlement reached for 3 board seats)
- Saba Capital @ Templeton Global Income Fund (successful proxy contest for 4 board seats)
- Starboard Value @ eHealth, Inc. (settlement reached for 1 board seat)
- Starboard Value @ Corteva, Inc. (settlement reached for 3 board seats)
- WaterMill Asset Management @ ZIOPHARM Oncology Inc. (successful consent solicitation for 2 board seats and settlement agreement reached for 1 board seat)
Notable 2020 Successful Campaigns for Board Representation:
- Ancora Advisors @ J. Alexander's Holdings, Inc. (settlement reached for 1 board seat)
- AREX Capital @ ZAGG Inc. (settlement reached for 1 board seat)
- Daniel A. Ninivaggi (Protean Services LLC) @ Tenneco Inc. (settlement reached for 1 board seat)
- Elliott Management @ Evergy, Inc. (settlement reached for 2 board seats)
- Elliott Management @ Peabody Energy Corporation (settlement reached for 3 board seats)
- Elliott Management @ Twitter, Inc. (settlement reached for 1 board seat)
- Engaged Capital @ Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (settlement reached for 3 board seats)
- Engine Capital @ Harvard Bioscience Inc. (settlement reached for 1 board seat)
- Hestia Capital/Permit Capital @ GameStop Corp. (successful proxy contest for 2 board seats)
- H Partners @ Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (settlement reached for 1 board seat)
- Impactive Capital @ Avid Technology, Inc. (settlement reached for 1 board seat)
- JCP Investment @ Innovative Food Holdings, Inc. (settlement reached for 3 board seats)
- Lion Point @ Sierra Wireless Inc. (settlement reached for 2 board seats)
- Macellum Capital / Ancora Advisors @ Big Lots, Inc. (settlement reached for 3 board seats)
- Marathon Partners @ e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. (settlement reached for 1 board seat)
- Oaktree Capital @ Infinera Corporation (settlement reached for 1 board seat)
- Privet Fund @ Synalloy Corporation (successful proxy contest for 3 board seats)
- Saba Capital @ Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Income Plus Fund (successful proxy contest for 3 board seats)
- Starboard Value @ Acacia Research Corporation (settlement reached for 3 board seats)
- Starboard Value @ AECOM (settlement reached for 3 board seats)
- Starboard Value @ Box, Inc. (settlement reached for 3 board seats)
- Starboard Value @ GCP Applied Technologies, Inc. (successful proxy contest for 8 board seats)
- Starboard Value @ Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (settlement reached for 3 board seats)
- Stilwell Group @ Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (successful proxy contest for 3 board seats)
Notable 2019 Successful Campaigns for Board Representation:
- Altiva Management @ Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (successful consent solicitation for 5 board seats)
- Elliott @ eBay, Inc. (settlement reached for 3 board seats)
- Engaged Capital @ Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group Inc. (settlement reached for 1 board seat and to terminate its poison pill)
- Engine Capital @ PFSweb, Inc. (settlement reached for 1 board seat)
- Hestia Capital/Permit Capital @ GameStop Corp. (settlement reached for 2 board seats)
- Hill Path Capital @ SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (settlement reached for 1 board seat)
- Horton Fund @ Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (settlement reached for 1 board seat)
- Legion Partners, Macellum Advisors and Ancora Advisors @ Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (settlement reached for 4 board seats)
- Legion Partners @ Vonage Holdings Corp. (settlement reached for 1 board seat)
- Macellum @ Citi Trends, Inc. (settlement reached for 1 board seat)
- Prescience Point @ MiMedx Group, Inc. (settlement reached for 2 board seats)
- Snow Park Capital @ Front Yard Residential Corporation (settlement reached for 2 board seats)
- Starboard @ Cerner Corp (settlement reached for 4 board seats)
- Starboard @ GCP Applied Technologies Inc. (settlement reached for 2 board seats)
- Starboard @ Magellan Health Inc (settlement reached for 4 board seats)
- Starboard @ Papa John’s International, Inc. (agreement reached for 3 board seats and Securities Purchase Agreement)
- Rice Brothers @ EQT Corp. (successful proxy contest for 7 board seats)
- Prescience Point @ MiMedx Group, Inc. (settlement reached for 2 board seats)
- VIEX @ A10 Networks, Inc. (settlement reached for 3 board seats)
Media Mentions/News
- February 1, 2023
- January 23, 2023
- January 4, 2023
- December 19, 2022
- December 5, 2022
- December 2, 2022
- November 3, 2022
- October 18, 2022
- October 11, 2022
- September 29, 2022
- September 27, 2022
- September 7, 2022
- August 25, 2022
- July 21, 2022
- Olshan Represents Outerbridge Capital in Renewed Cooperation Agreement with Barnes & Noble EducationJuly 5, 2022
- July 1, 2022
- June 10, 2022
- June 9, 2022
- June 1, 2022
- May 20, 2022
- May 17, 2022
- Andrew Freedman Quoted by Bloomberg on Elon Musk’s Tweets Regarding His $44 Billion Twitter TakeoverMay 17, 2022
- May 4, 2022
- April 22, 2022
- April 22, 2022
- April 19, 2022
- March 24, 2022
- February 22, 2022
- February 22, 2022
- Olshan's Shareholder Activism Practice Again Ranked No. 1 Law Firm for Activist Investors by FactSetJanuary 21, 2022
- January 6, 2022
- January 4, 2022
- December 30, 2021
- December 20, 2021
- December 17, 2021
- December 6, 2021
- November 9, 2021
- November 5, 2021
- November 4, 2021
- October 28, 2021
- October 6, 2021
- October 1, 2021
- September 16, 2021
- September 14, 2021
- August 18, 2021
- August 17, 2021
- July 29, 2021
- July 27, 2021
- July 13, 2021
- July 9, 2021
- June 15, 2021
- June 10, 2021
- June 4, 2021
- May 21, 2021
- April 5, 2021
- March 16, 2021
- February 2, 2021
- January 27, 2021
- Olshan’s Shareholder Activism Practice Again Ranked No. 1 Law Firm for Activist Investors by FactSetJanuary 26, 2021
- January 15, 2021
- January 15, 2021
- January 7, 2021
- December 18, 2020
- December 17, 2020
- November 6, 2020
- November 5, 2020
- October 28, 2020
- Alta Fox Reaches Agreement with Collectors Universe for Board Representation and Strategy InitiativeSeptember 30, 2020
- September 18, 2020
- August 27, 2020
- July 15, 2020
- July 1, 2020
- June 11, 2020
- April 23, 2020
- April 20, 2020
- April 16, 2020
- April 10, 2020
- April 10, 2020
- April 10, 2020
- March 23, 2020
- March 11, 2020
- Andrew Freedman Quoted in The Deal on the Anticipated Effects of Coronavirus on Proxy Fights in 2020March 10, 2020
- March 10, 2020
- February 28, 2020
- February 12, 2020
- February 10, 2020
- January 15, 2020
- January 2, 2020
- December 30, 2019
- December 30, 2019
- December 16, 2019
- November 11, 2019
- November 1, 2019
- October 8, 2019
- October 8, 2019
- October 4, 2019
- September 12, 2019
- August 19, 2019
- July 26, 2019
- July 12, 2019
- July 12, 2019
- June 5, 2019
- May 3, 2019
- April 26, 2019
- April 18, 2019
- March 25, 2019
- March 12, 2019
- February 26, 2019
- February 15, 2019
- February 7, 2019
- January 7, 2019
- December 21, 2018
- December 13, 2018
- November 1, 2018
- October 8, 2018
- September 19, 2018
- August 20, 2018
- August 6, 2018
- July 19, 2018
- July 10, 2018
- June 4, 2018
- June 1, 2018
- May 14, 2018
- May 10, 2018
- May 10, 2018
- May 8, 2018
- May 3, 2018
- May 1, 2018
- April 30, 2018
- April 30, 2018
- April 24, 2018
- April 10, 2018
- April 5, 2018
- February 15, 2018
- February 12, 2018
- January 22, 2018
- January 17, 2018
- January 5, 2018
- January 3, 2018
- December 11, 2017
- December 8, 2017
- November 29, 2017
- November 22, 2017
- November 14, 2017
- November 1, 2017
- October 25, 2017
- October 16, 2017
- September 20, 2017
- September 11, 2017
- August 18, 2017
- July 7, 2017
- July 6, 2017
- June 30, 2017
- May 30, 2017
- May 24, 2017
- May 1, 2017
- April 28, 2017
- February 9, 2017
- January 13, 2017
- January 9, 2017
- December 5, 2016
- November 1, 2016
- October 5, 2016
- September 21, 2016
- August 8, 2016
- July 13, 2016
- June 22, 2016
- June 20, 2016
- May 27, 2016
- May 23, 2016
- May 23, 2016
- May 16, 2016
- April 18, 2016
- March 1, 2016
- March 1, 2016
- February 24, 2016
- February 24, 2016
- February 8, 2016
- February 8, 2016
- February 3, 2016
- February 3, 2016
- February 1, 2016
- January 27, 2016
- January 8, 2016
- January 8, 2016
- January 4, 2016
- December 17, 2015
- December 15, 2015
- November 25, 2015
- November 23, 2015
- November 20, 2015
- November 19, 2015
- November 16, 2015
- November 2, 2015
- October 12, 2015
- September 16, 2015
- August 26, 2015
- August 24, 2015
- August 7, 2015
- July 14, 2015
- July 10, 2015
- June 24, 2015
- June 22, 2015
- June 19, 2015
- June 15, 2015
- June 1, 2015
- May 12, 2015
- May 11, 2015
- May 7, 2015
- March 20, 2015
- March 12, 2015
- The Wall Street Journal Covers Client Marathon Partners’ Public Letter and Nominations at ShutterflyMarch 3, 2015
- February 17, 2015
- February 9, 2015
- January 27, 2015
- January 26, 2015
- January 23, 2015
- January 16, 2015
- January 2, 2015
- January 1, 2015
- December 12, 2014
- December 10, 2014
- November 5, 2014
- November 3, 2014
- October 27, 2014
- October 15, 2014
- October 14, 2014
- October 10, 2014
- October 8, 2014
- September 23, 2014
- September 15, 2014
- August 25, 2014
- August 14, 2014
- July 2, 2014
- June 19, 2014
- June 10, 2014
- June 3, 2014
- June 2, 2014
- May 23, 2014
- May 22, 2014
- April 30, 2014
- April 29, 2014
- April 15, 2014
- April 10, 2014
- April 3, 2014
- March 19, 2014
- March 18, 2014
- March 17, 2014
- March 12, 2014
- February 24, 2014
- February 21, 2014
- February 12, 2014
- January 29, 2014
- January 24, 2014
- January 22, 2014
- January 10, 2014
- January 1, 2014
- December 23, 2013
- December 16, 2013
- Olshan Represents Food Technology Service, Inc. in $7.23 per Share Sale to Sterigenics InternationalDecember 6, 2013
- December 4, 2013
- October 16, 2013
- September 27, 2013
- September 13, 2013
- September 11, 2013
- August 21, 2013
- August 14, 2013
- July 12, 2013
- June 28, 2013
- June 17, 2013
- Proxy Contest Victory Results in 2 More Board Seats for Activist Client Starboard Value at DSP GroupJune 14, 2013
- May 24, 2013
- May 12, 2013
- April 22, 2013
- March 22, 2013
- March 19, 2013
- March 13, 2013
- March 8, 2013
- March 5, 2013
- Activist Client Starboard Urges Office Depot to Explore Sale of its Joint Venture Interest in MexicoFebruary 27, 2013
- January 24, 2013
- November 27, 2012
- November 27, 2012
- November 16, 2012
- November 2, 2012
- November 2, 2012
- September 20, 2012
- September 18, 2012
- September 18, 2012
- August 3, 2012
- July 16, 2012
- June 28, 2012
- June 20, 2012
- April 19, 2012
- February 27, 2012
- February 13, 2012
- January 6, 2012
- December 21, 2011
- December 2, 2011
- November 17, 2011
- November 10, 2011
- October 28, 2011
- October 24, 2011
- September 14, 2011
- December 15, 2010
- October 13, 2010
- October 1, 2010
- September 22, 2010
- August 12, 2010
- July 19, 2010
- April 12, 2010
- December 17, 2009
- November 30, 2009
- November 9, 2009
- January 29, 2009
- December 18, 2008
- December 18, 2008
- December 17, 2008
- December 2, 2008
- August 20, 2008
- May 9, 2008
- May 9, 2008
- May 1, 2008
- April 7, 2008
- April 3, 2008
- March 1, 2008
- January 23, 2008
- October 25, 2007
- October 23, 2007
- May 4, 2007
Speaking Engagements
- June 15, 2022Harvard Law School (Cambridge, MA)
- November 5, 2021Virtual Debate
- October 6, 2021New York, NY
- July 15, 2020Webinar
- February 5, 2020New York, New York
- April 18, 2019New York, New York
- January 25, 2018New York, New York
- October 25, 2017Harvard Law School (Cambridge, MA)
- January 26, 2017Time Warner Center, New York, NY
- March 18, 2015Harvard Law School (Cambridge, MA)
- June 10, 2014Las Vegas, NV
- January 29, 2014The WestinTimes Square New York
- August 15, 2012
- January 29, 2010
Publications
- November 30, 2022Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance
- September 22, 2022Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance
- September 1, 2022Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance
- February 15, 2022Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance
- January 24, 2022Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance
- November 28, 2021Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance
- November 7, 2021Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance
- February 1, 2021Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance
- January 23, 2021Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance
- November 6, 2020Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance
- April 18, 2020Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance
- April 17, 2020Law360
- September 28, 2019Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation
- August 19, 2019Ethical Boardroom
- July 26, 2019Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation
- July 15, 2019Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation
- July 13, 2019Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation
- September 18, 2018Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation
- June 21, 2018Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation
- May 29, 2018Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation
- April 25, 2018Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation
- Winter 2018Ethical Boardroom
- December 22, 2017Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation
- November 28, 2017Law360
- November 10, 2017Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation
- July 6, 2017Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation
- Spring 2017Ethical Boardroom
- January 2017IR Magazine
- January 13, 2017IR Magazine
- January 13, 2017IR Magazine
- October 5, 2016Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation
- July 14, 2015Activist Insight
- June 2015The Activist Report
- December 2011The Activist Report
- Intellectual Property and Unfair Competition in a Nutshell (Editor)2004West Publishing Co., 5th ed.
Articles & Alerts
- November 2022
- November 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- August 2022
- August 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- March 2021
- January 2021
- January 2021
- November 2020
- October 2020
- July 2020
- April 2020
- April 2020
- February 2020
- November 2019
- September 2019
- September 2019
- July 2019
- July 2019
- July 2019
- November 2018
- September 17, 2018
- August 1, 2018
- June 5, 2018
- May 3, 2018
- April 12, 2018
- February 27, 2018
- December 7, 2017
- November 27, 2017
- CLIENT ALERT: Utilizing Social Media in Proxy Contests: Considerations for the Upcoming Proxy SeasonOctober 25, 2017
- September 26, 2017
- June 21, 2017
- March 27, 2017
- February 6, 2017
- October 28, 2016
- October 26, 2016
- CLIENT ALERT: A Review of the STADA Arzneimittel Proxy Contest and the Activism Landscape in GermanySeptember 27, 2016
- July 2016
- August 2013
- January 2010
- September 29, 2008
Press Releases
- November 3, 2022
- September 29, 2022
- July 5, 2022
- June 9, 2022
- June 1, 2022
- January 4, 2022
- November 4, 2021
- October 1, 2021
- June 15, 2021
- May 21, 2021
- March 17, 2021
- November 5, 2020
- October 28, 2020
- June 11, 2020
- April 23, 2020
- January 15, 2020
- November 1, 2019
- September 12, 2019
- June 3, 2019
- April 26, 2019
- November 1, 2018
- September 17, 2018
- June 11, 2018
- May 10, 2018
- April 5, 2018
- November 1, 2017
- September 20, 2017
- May 30, 2017
- November 1, 2016
- September 21, 2016
- June 6, 2016
- December 21, 2015
- November 2, 2015
- September 16, 2015
- November 3, 2014
- November 3, 2014
- September 23, 2014
- November 1, 2013
- September 13, 2013
- August 5, 2013
- September 20, 2012
- January 6, 2012
Securities Law Blog