Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP

Shareholder Activism

Vice Chair

Consistently recognized as a leader in his field, Vice Chair of Olshan’s leading Shareholder Activism practice Ryan Nebel represents hedge funds and other investors providing strategic advice and legal guidance on all aspects of shareholder activism.

With a nuanced understanding of the intricacies involved, Ryan excels in handling the most contentious and complex challenges in the corporate realm. Shareholder clients rely on his astute counsel on corporate governance matters, Schedule 13D investments in public companies and activist strategies. Creative, practical and very hands-on, Ryan manages shareholder and board engagement, proxy contests, withhold campaigns, consent solicitations, settlement negotiations, hostile takeovers as well as issues impacting shareholders in the context of changes in control, mergers, acquisitions and dispositions.

Ryan always advises clients to seek assistance with potential investment ideas early on so he can help them evaluate the target, structure an activist strategy, avoid potential pitfalls and optimize their position for success. With the right strategy in place, he helps clients drive shareholder value and achieve their goals.

He has advised many notable activist investors in high-profile situations including Engaged Capital at Shake Shack, Ryan Cohen at GameStop, Sachem Head at US Foods, Elliott Management at eBay and Starboard Value in its full board victory at Darden Restaurants.

J.D., University of Oregon School of Law, 2012

First in class of 2012 Order of the Coif Member, Oregon Law Review

B.S., magna cum laude, University of Louisville, 2009

National Scholar

• Named a “Leading Lawyer” in Corporate/M&A: Shareholder New York by Chambers USA, 2024

• Named as an “Up and Coming” lawyer by Chambers USA, 2021-2023

• Recognized as a "Next Generation Partner" in The Legal 500 U.S. in M&A/Corporate and Commercial: Shareholder Activism - advice to shareholders, 2022 and 2023

• Recognized as a "Key Lawyer" in The Legal 500 U.S. in M&A/Corporate and Commercial: Shareholder Activism - advice to shareholders, 2020 and 2021

• Recognized as a "Recommended Lawyer" in The Legal 500 U.S. in M&A/Corporate and Commercial: Shareholder Activism - advice to shareholders, 2019

• Consistently named a "Rising Star" by New York Metro Super Lawyers since 2019