Clients choose Olshan for innovative strategies and sophisticated advice. We offer broad and specialized services for large clients while at the same time serving smaller clients effectively on business transactions and litigation.
Olshan is a leading New York law firm representing clients ranging from public companies, hedge, venture capital, private equity and other investment funds to entrepreneurs and private companies. We have been consistently recognized for our expertise in corporate and securities law, shareholder activism, real estate, intellectual property, advertising and marketing, tax, litigation, and bankruptcy. In addition, we have significant practices dealing with employment matters and insurance coverage. Although based in New York, our lawyers represent clients nationally and internationally.
At Olshan, the mix of clients combined with the range of our practice groups and an extremely collegial atmosphere result in a tremendous advantage. Our attorneys work closely with each other and in teams to find solutions for our clients. We offer broad and specialized services for large clients while at the same time serving smaller clients effectively on business transactions and litigation.
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Recognition
Olshan attorneys and practice areas have gained recognition by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers and Legal 500 US. The National Law Journal designated Olshan as one of the top 20 midsize law firms in the U.S. on its 2012 and 2016 "Midsize Hot List".
Our History
Olshan began in the 1960s when Marvin Olshan and Neil Grundman left a larger firm to strike out on their own. Jerome Kretchmer joined them to form Olshan Grundman & Kretchmer. Kretchmer was not only a lawyer; he served as a State Assemblyman and New York City’s Environmental Protection Administrator, and also ran for Mayor. The firm concentrated on transactional work, principally in Real Estate, and also in the burgeoning bowling alley industry.
The Olshan firm rented space to Robert Frome who was doing general corporate and securities law work. The firm started handling securities law work for clients of its own and Frome joined to make the new firm Olshan Grundman Frome & Kretchmer, with four partners and one associate. Olshan distinguished itself from its small competitors by representing a few large clients such as North American Mortgage Investors (NYSE) (one of the early and large REITs), Valley Industries, Inc. and E.F. Hutton (NYSE). Victor Rosenzweig joined the firm as an associate in the growing corporate and securities law group and became a partner within a year. After Kretchmer left to pursue the restaurant business the firm’s name was changed to Olshan Grundman Frome & Rosenzweig. Steven Wolosky joined the firm in 1984 and his name was later added to form Olshan Grundman Frome Rosenzweig & Wolosky. Steve expanded the breadth of the firm’s corporate department and continues to do corporate and securities work, M&A and to represent Steel Partners, one of the early activist funds. Robert Friedman came to Olshan in 1992, completing the senior tier of our corporate group.
The firm has grown organically, sprinkled with the hiring of a few talented lawyers in areas like intellectual property law, tax, employment and ERISA. Occasionally, Olshan has been able to attract talented groups of lawyers. In 2001, Lawrence Friedland, who had been practicing law for more than 50 years and was recognized as the dean of New York real estate lawyers, wanted to join a larger firm, and he and his colleagues joined Olshan’s real estate and tax groups. In 2005, Michael Fox and Adam Friedman joined the firm to provide creditors’ rights and bankruptcy expertise to our clients. Olshan expanded its capabilities once again in 2008 by the addition of Steven Gursky and six colleagues, who practice in the copyright, trademark and unfair competition areas. The most recent addition is a group of four attorneys led by Andrew Lustigman. That group specializes in advertising, marketing and promotions law.
We have grown by doing excellent legal work at fair prices and building relationships to retain the clients we have, and add new clients. The clients become part of the firm and establish long-term relationships with lawyers who become part of the firm and seldom leave.
Value Proposition
Olshan offers responsive, independent and client-focused counsel provided by the firm’s senior attorneys. Clients get our best thinking in a timely manner. We also pride ourselves on handling matters efficiently and cost-effectively. We are adept at developing realistic budgets and working within them. Our cost-effective, personal service is tailored to the specific concerns of each client, from large corporations to small businesses and individuals.
What Others Say
Olshan’s Activist & Equity Investment Practice has been again ranked #1 by FactSet SharkRepellent as Olshan dominated the law firm category with 100 activist campaigns in 2018.
FactSet SharkRepellent
The National Law Journal profile of Olshan discusses its market position as a “"right size" firm, [that] continues to carve a niche as the "go to" firm for many of Wall Street's successful shareholder activists,” and “embody lawyering at its essence — working hard to understand and serve their clients' needs."
The National Law Journal 2016 Midsize Hot List
Steve Wolosky is “the go-to lawyer for activist investors” and “one of the leading lawyers in the country advising hedge funds on equity investments.” He “pioneered the area of shareholder activism.”
13D Monitor
Steve Wolosky is, “the go-to guy, no question" when it comes to representing activists.
Chambers and Partners USA
Andrew Freedman “really understands what his client wants and is creative in figuring out ways to get there."
Chambers and Partners USA
Olshan “specializes in sweepstakes, advertising clearances, regulatory investigations, direct marketing law, NAD matters and mobile marketing” and that “Litigation is also key for the team.”
Legal 500 United States
Michael Fox was praised in a recent bankruptcy matter by “In seeing you in action, I have to say you are my new hero. Loved your style which I shared with our team. You rock!”
Barbara Hiebendahl, ecxglobal Logistics
Andrew Lustigman was acclaimed “for his state attorney general work and handling of FTC matters. Peers say ‘he is very skillful in staying on top of trends and issues.’ He is also praised for being ‘a very strong, good litigator and very knowledgeable of the advertising space.’” Samuel Ross was noted by clients as "smart, precise and effective.” Chambers further noted that he “frequently handles sales and purchases of apartment, office, retail and hotel buildings.”
Chambers and Partners USA
"Kyle Bisceglie is an outstanding litigator and legal advisor; he has a deep background, broad experience and excellent judgment. We have worked together for five years and he has consistently delivered great results. Most recently, he represented my company in a FINRA arbitration in LA that included 3 days of live testimony and resulted in a excellent outcome. I highly recommend Kyle for commercial litigation matters based on our experience working together."
Colby Allsbrook, Director & Counsel, Credit Suisse
“We love the work you do for us. We appreciate and trust 100% your honesty, integrity, perseverance and ability to see to the bottom line. You are great at what you do for us.”
Vivian Meyers and Sarah Cohen, Gotham Realty
“Olshan’s combination of quality, personal attention and value places them in the top of our list of outside counsel for deals throughout the U.S.”
Sharon Christenbury, General Counsel, Crescent Heights of America, Inc.
“As an early-stage company working on the nexus of a highly-regulated industry and online media and promotions, we were very satisfied with the Advertising, Marketing and Promotions Group's ability to rapidly grasp our unique context, uncover the core issues and present us with workable options."
Matthew S. Ross, GameLogic Inc.
“I have repeatedly retained the Olshan Tax Department both as a principal and as my co-counsel to structure real estate acquisitions, financings, dispositions and exchanges involving billions of dollars. We would rate Olshan at the uppermost tier of the tax attorneys in the United States.”
Victor Gerstein, Esq., Gerstein Strauss & Rinaldi LLP
“Olshan’s lawyers consistently provide us with efficient and creative solutions for our legal needs. They focus on giving straightforward priority advice in a cost-effective manner.”
Howard M. Lorber, President & Chief Executive Officer, Vector Group Ltd.
"Kyle Bisceglie provides a unique combination of litigation expertise, in-depth business understanding and pragmatism. He has acted as my lead outside counsel on numerous litigations, potential disputes and “situations” over the last decade, a number of which have been difficult and complex. He has been critical to successfully defending and protecting our company’s business and legal interests. In every case, Kyle’s approach is thorough and thoughtful. He expands his role as a litigator and makes it a priority to be a business partner by understanding the goals and values of our business. He goes to great lengths to ensure that senior management is informed and up to speed on key litigation strategy and process. He has worked tirelessly and effectively on our behalf and I recommend him highly."
Kristen Keller, Executive Vice President & General Counsel at Atari, Inc.
