Philip O’Connell is a law clerk in Olshan’s Litigation Group, where he supports clients in a variety of complex commercial disputes.
Philip brings a meticulous, client-focused approach to advocacy informed by a sharp eye for narrative. Drawing on a unique background that spans federal criminal prosecution, media strategy and film production, he leverages his combined legal training and communications experience to advocate fiercely for his clients, whether in the courtroom or in pre-trial negotiations.
He gained valuable experience as a legal intern in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. Contributing to some of the Office’s most serious and complex cases, Philip drafted sentencing memoranda, search warrants and legal briefs for Assistant U.S. Attorneys, helped prepare witnesses for grand jury proceedings and participated in high-level strategy meetings. He also worked as a project manager at an integrated marketing and business solutions company, experience that gives him a strategic edge in litigation. Prior to that, Philip worked as a writer, director and producer in the film and television industry, where he developed his ability to craft persuasive stories, manage complex projects and distill complicated issues for diverse audiences.
Philip was a summer associate at Olshan in 2024 before joining the firm full-time.
Practice Areas
Education
J.D., Fordham University School of Law, 2025
- Editor-in-Chief, Brendan Moore Trial Advocacy Center
- Associate Editor, Fordham Journal of Corporate & Financial Law
- Abraham Abramovsky Trial Advocacy Award Winner
- Academic All-American Trial Advocate, National Association of Legal Educators (NALAE)
- Arbitration Team Competitor, Dispute Resolution Society
- 1L Representative, Student Bar Association
B.A., Villanova University, 2013
- NCAA Division I Men’s Cross Country and Track & Field Athlete
- Student Athletic Advisory Board Representative, Track & Field Team
Admissions
- New York (not yet admitted)
