ADVERTISING LAW BLOG - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Partner
- Publishes Article in Commercial Property Executive on Distressed Real Estate Opportunities
- Top Restructuring Professional by Global M & a Network
Adam Friedman chairs Olshan's Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring Group as well as the firm's Distressed Real Estate Group. He represents clients in all facets of corporate and real estate restructurings, Chapter 11 bankruptcies, distressed investments, and loan transactions.
Clients retain Adam to advise them and represent them in insolvency and bankruptcy proceedings, reorganization transactions, and special situations. He also represents parties in lending transactions across the capital structure. Distressed investors rely on him to help them capitalize on opportunities created by special situations and market disruptions. As Olshan's Distressed Real Estate Group leader, Adam oversees a team of lawyers and represents clients in connection with commercial, CMBS and mezzanine loan restructurings and litigation.
Combining a deep understanding of the law, finance and business, Adam is known for his pragmatic and business-oriented approach to helping his clients. His deals have achieved national recognition for their exceptional results. He brings a collaborative and strategic perspective to each matter. Clients appreciate his dedication and efficient and innovative strategies focused on finding pragmatic and effective solutions to often complex and highly distressed situations. For Adam, it's all about determining the best path to accomplish his clients' goals.
He has substantial experience in both in-court and out-of-court restructurings for clients based in the United States and abroad. He also advises clients on fiduciary duties, director and officer liability, liability management, fraudulent conveyance matters, and a variety of other issues related to corporate transactions and insolvency proceedings.
Experience
Represented the ad hoc committee of preferred shareholders of Washington Prime Group Inc. and affiliates in connection with litigation and settlement of valuation issues resulting in significantly higher recoveries to preferred equity holders under a Chapter 11 plan as well as enhanced participation in the rights offering. (Winner of 14th Annual Turnaround Atlas Awards Chapter 11 Restructuring of the Year)
Represented Novation Companies, Inc., NovaStar Mortgage, LLC and affiliates in their Chapter 11 case, a novel transaction that allowed the debtors' use of unencumbered cash to acquire a nondebtor company as a means to fund plan payments while also preserving in excess of $600 million in net operating losses (NOLs) (Winner of the Twelfth Annual M&A Advisor Distressed M&A Deal of the Year).
Represented Bristol Investment Fund, Ltd., as purchaser of Sugarfina, Inc. and affiliates, in their Chapter 11 cases, including successfully challenging the stalking horse credit bid and ultimate negotiation of a superior alternative transaction for the company and its stakeholders.
Represented Madison 92nd Street Associates, LLC, the owner of a 226-room Courtyard Marriott hotel in NYC, in its Chapter 11 case in connection with the transfer-tax-free sale of the hotel and confirmation of a Chapter 11 plan.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Joins Olshan Litigation Practice As Partner
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- Acts As U.S. Construction Counsel for the United Arab Emirates' Permanent Mission to the UN Building
- Construction Counsel for the Hoxton Hotel
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- Acts As U.S. Construction Counsel for the United Arab Emirates' Permanent Mission to the UN Building
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Member of Olshan 's Tax & Personal Planning Group
A member of Olshan's Tax & Personal Planning Group, Alexander Sánchez-Figueroa assists high-net-worth individuals in planning and administering their estates.
Alexander works on tax-related aspects of transactions. His experience includes asset purchase agreements, corporate liquidations, spinoffs, membership-interest purchase agreements and cross-border tax matters. He also has helped in matters related to ERISA and deferred compensation arrangements.
When faced with a tax problem, Alexander carefully considers the fact, reviews the Tax Code, regulations, and related authorities, and then pieces together a solution. Smart, hardworking and creative, he excels in finding ways to make an argument or structure a transaction in a tax-favorable way.
Alexander is a native Spanish speaker.
Job Titles:
- Staff / Development Editor, Annual Survey of American Law
Job Titles:
- Counsel
- Partner
- ACI 's Food Advertising & Marketing Law Master Symposium
- Corporate Counsel on What the Fifth Circuit 's Content - Moderation Ruling Means for Social Media
- Olshan Partner
Andrew Lustigman offers comprehensive counsel to domestic and international clients on advertising, marketing and promotions matters and represents them in regulatory investigations, enforcement actions, and litigation. He chairs Olshan's Advertising, Marketing & Promotions Group and co-chairs its Brand Management & Protection Group.
Marketers, advertisers, agencies and suppliers, among others, regularly seek Andy's counsel regarding legal aspects of their advertising and promotional marketing businesses. He's pragmatic and always looks for solutions that meet each client's specific needs.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Co - Head of Olshan 's Shareholder Activism Practice
- Member of the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance 's Esteemed Advisory Board
- Publishes Article in Bloomberg Law on CEO Vulnerability Amid Rising Shareholder Activism
- Quoted in Agenda Week on Executive Pay As a Concern to Shareholder Activists
- Quoted in Law360 on the Shareholder Activism Pandemic Response
Widely acknowledged nationally as preeminent in the shareholder activism arena, Andrew Freedman represents many of the most active and prominent activist investors and investment funds, as well as newly launched activist investment firms. A co-founder of Olshan's Shareholder Activism Practice, he now leads Olshan's top-ranked global Shareholder Activism Group.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance 's Esteemed Advisory Board
Job Titles:
- Quoted in Agenda Week on Executive Pay As a Concern to Shareholder Activists
An experienced dealmaker and trusted advisor, Ari Edelman focuses his practice on capital markets transactions, including initial public offerings (IPOs) and other public and private equity offerings. Clients also lean on Ari for guidance as general corporate counsel.
At the heart of Ari's practice is deep experience in corporate finance transactions, spanning across U.S. and cross-border capital markets transactions, mergers and acquisitions, securities regulation, and corporate governance for both public and private companies. Known for his client-oriented approach, Ari represents operating companies, institutional investors and investment banking firms in a wide variety of corporate finance transactions. Ari also counsels public companies with respect to their reporting obligations and corporate governance matters, as well as issuer and underwriter clients in financing transactions, including IPOs.
Beyond transactions, Ari advises on fiduciary duties, corporate governance, executive compensation and disclosure compliance. His global client base spans a wide array of industries, from life sciences and healthcare to technology, energy, and entertainment, among others. His clients include publicly traded companies, leading global financial services firms, startup companies and venture capital firms.
Before joining Olshan, Ari was a global transactions partner in the Capital Markets Group at McDermott Will & Emery.
Experience
Represented numerous companies going public through a SPAC merger, including SomaLogic, Zura Bio, European Sustainable Growth (acquisition of Ads-Tec), CHW Acquisition (acquisition of Wag!), Innovative International (acquisition of ZoomCar), NewCourt (acquisition of Psyence Bio) and North Atlantic (proposed acquisition of TeleSign), among others.
Job Titles:
- Publishes Social Media Considerations for Real Estate Companies by Andrew Lustigman and Mary Grieco
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- Partner
- Co - Chair, Litigation Practice
- Joins Olshan As Counsel in Litigation Practice
- Litigation Department Co - Chair
Litigation Department Co-Chair Brian Katz is a highly skilled commercial litigator and trial lawyer with proven results in state and federal courts across the country. Brian has successfully prosecuted and defended a wide variety of commercial cases to finality in an array of settings, from verdict through appeal and in many cases to a jurisdiction's highest appellate tribunal.
Dakota Forsyth handles a variety of corporate matters, with a focus on securities and capital markets transactions.
Experienced in corporate finance, Dakota helps guide public companies in connection with initial public offerings, secondary public offerings, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance. He also assists underwriters and placement agents in connection with public and private offerings. He also is experienced in mergers, stock and asset purchases, venture capital financings, and other commercial transactions.
Before joining Olshan, Dakota was a legal intern at the Securities and Exchange Commission's Division of Corporation Finance where he reviewed filings made under the Securities Act and Exchange Act, analyzed rules proposed by the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market, and gained valuable experience navigating the complexities of the federal securities laws and regulations. With a clear understanding of how the SEC functions, including its regulatory and enforcement roles, Dakota possesses the know-how needed to evaluate, structure and advise on securities transactions. Dakota was also a four-year letterman on Penn State's varsity baseball team.
His experience at the SEC and as a collegiate athlete allowed him to develop the ability to approach complex situations with a level head and make strategic decisions under pressure, skills that are invaluable in enabling clients to successfully execute corporate transactions. Dakota has excellent communication skills, is disciplined and accountable, and has a strong work ethic, which makes him a prized team member.
Experience
Assisted sole managing underwriter Boustead Securities, LLC in the firm commitment initial public offering of common stock by Mangoceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MGRX), a company focused on developing, marketing and selling a variety of men's health and wellness products via a secure telemedicine platform, including its uniquely formulated erectile dysfunction drug branded "Mango."
Helped represent Jeffrey R. Westphal in connection with a $23 million secondary registered block trade offering of shares of Class A common stock of Vertex, Inc. (Nasdaq: VERX), underwritten by Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC.
Assisted Blink Charging Co. (Nasdaq: BLNK) in connection with the $250 million ATM offering of its common stock with six investment banking firms, Barclays Capital Inc., BofA Securities, Inc., HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., ThinkEquity LLC, H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, and Roth Capital Partners, LLC.
Job Titles:
- Real Estate Developer
- Represented Real Estate Developer
Represented real estate developer David Edelstein in a lease and collaboration with renowned restaurateurs Stephen Starr and Keith McNally bringing New York City Meatpacking District hotspot Pastis to the trendy Wynwood arts area in Miami.
David Breyer assists the Corporate Group in drafting and negotiating a wide range of commercial agreements for public and private corporations and advises both buyer and seller clients in corporate mergers and acquisitions.
His work includes debt and equity investments, stock and asset purchases, corporate governance, securities law issues, and other general corporate and regulatory matters. He is familiar with the disclosure requirements of publicly traded companies and routinely prepares and files Exchange Act reports. Working closely with the firm's Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring Group, he also assists distressed businesses and other parties in restructurings and sales of assets through Chapter 11 and related proceedings.
David prides himself on adding value. He stays current on legal developments and industry trends to identify issues and opportunities for clients. An excellent communicator with a collaborative approach, David works effectively and efficiently with colleagues and clients alike, contributing to a positive and productive team dynamic.
Before joining Olshan, David worked in-house for a Fortune 500 CPG company and at a national securities exchange. He knows firsthand the business and operational needs of clients and understands the importance of presenting a value add to clients.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder and Director, TechSpace
Committed to ensuring clients' shareholder rights are protected and their investment value optimized, Dorothy helps clients get their voices heard and assists them in realizing their strategic goals. She takes a proactive approach, addressing immediate issues while anticipating risks and opportunities, and contemplating the next steps so her clients are well-positioned for the future.
Experienced in SEC reporting and in developing activist strategies, Dorothy has played an integral role in proxy contests, withhold campaigns, consent solicitations, settlement negotiations, and hostile takeovers. Clients benefit from her skill in advising on their compliance with regulatory restrictions regarding insider trading and short selling, and Sections 13 and 16, and Rule 144 requirements. Her experience also includes working on company-side securities/capital markets matters including IPOs, SPAC IPOs, and capital raises. She brings that experience to bear in advising and representing Olshan's public and private company clients.
From office and retail leases to residential and mixed-used facilities, and commercial property acquisitions, financing and development, Dov Brandstatter's experience includes negotiating and structuring deals for landlords and tenants, property owners and sellers.
Dov advises on all aspects of commercial property acquisitions and leasing arrangements. From big-box retail to corporate headquarters leases, his experience also spans ground leasing, garage leases, and leasing and sales of corporate-owned and leased properties. In addition, Dov represents both owners and nonprofit organizations in connection with the creation of leasehold condominiums.
Having represented clients on both sides of real estate deals, Dov offers perspective and a clear understanding of what matters most to the parties. Clients appreciate Dov's extensive knowledge and his ability to guide them through the intricacies of complicated real estate deals, navigate challenges, avoid contention, and devise practical solutions.
Over the course of his career, Dov has built long-lasting effective working relationships with brokers, attorneys at other firms, and other professionals, which often proves especially advantageous in resolving conflicts and getting deals done.
Experience
Represented the owners of properties located on West 44th Street and East 24th Street in Manhattan in connection with 99-year ground leases with Sam Chang's McSam Hotel Group.
Job Titles:
- Lecturing on Shareholder Activism at New York Law School
- Quoted in Bloomberg Article on Shareholder Activism Campaigns During the Pandemic
- Quoted in Bloomberg on 2021 Activist Adviser Rankings
- Quoted in Bloomberg on Shareholder Proposals for Racial Equity Audits
- Speaking at 2022 Garrett and Corporate Counsel Institute Conference
- Speaking at DealFlow Events' Activist Investor Conference
Job Titles:
- Quoted in Bloomberg on 2021 Activist Adviser Rankings
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Vice Chair, Shareholder Activism Practice
Preeminent in her field, Elizabeth Gonzalez-Sussman advises hedge funds and other large investors in activist-related engagements with boards and management teams to maximize shareholder value, including behind-the-scenes engagements, withhold campaigns, proxy contests, and making unsolicited acquisition proposals. She is vice chair of Olshan's Shareholder Activism Practice and a member of the firm's Corporate/Securities Law Group.
Elizabeth possesses a clear understanding of market practices, deep knowledge of the law, and extensive experience in advising clients on all aspects of shareholder activism. A talented lawyer and an excellent negotiator, she zeros in on the key issues, helps clients evaluate their situations, devises actionable, strategic plans, and provides exceptionally practical advice based on both her clients' immediate goals and their long-term vision.
Job Titles:
- Director of Administration
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- Partner
- Corporate Partner
Representing domestic and international clients in high-stakes transactions and wide-ranging corporate matters, Ken Silverman advises businesses at every stage, from formation and growth through acquisitions and capital raises to exit strategies.
Ken has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, and private placements. Representing both public and private companies as buyers and sellers in M&A transactions, he also counsels startups, hedge funds, and venture capital funds regarding their formation, capital raising, and investments. Frequently acting as outside general counsel, he helps clients navigate corporate governance issues, executive compensation concerns, and SEC compliance matters, including Exchange Act reporting and proxy statement preparation.
Routinely closing deals and leading public offerings valued in the millions of dollars, in 2022, Ken handled the corporate issues of a client's complex $600 million property sale, a deal later named "Private Equity Deal of the Year" by The M&A Advisor. A true client advocate, approachable, thorough and informed, Ken consistently secures exceptional outcomes for his clients. To become his clients' trusted adviser, he invests the time to understand their issues, challenges, business strategies, and goals. Then he develops a practical, forward-thinking approach to achieve success. He tailors his work style to what suits each client for that specific matter at that particular time, whether that's a collaborative, hands-on or "just call me when it's done" approach.
Experienced litigation lawyer Kerrin Klein focuses on complex commercial and securities litigation and arbitrations.
Job Titles:
- Fellow
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Partner
- Featured in "How I Made Practice Group Chair" Q & a on Law.Com
- Instructor for NYSBA CLE Commercial Litigation Webinar
- Olshan Partner
- Presents Guest Lecture on Shareholder Activist Litigation at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
Lori is a fellow of the prestigious Litigation Counsel of America, an invitation-only trial lawyers' honorary society recognizing excellence among American litigation and trial counsel. She is a member of Olshan's Executive Committee, Women's Committee, and Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President, Commercial Development & Leasing, Forest City Ratner Companies
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- Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Pitney Bowes Inc
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Partner
- Olshan Partner
With broad experience across markets, geographies and industries, Mitchell Raab structures and negotiates industry-leading financial transactions and strategic M&As, and advises on business activities, agreements and investments. He chairs Olshan's Corporate/Securities Law Practice Group.
Serving clients involved in diverse industries, Mitch brings broad experience and strong commercial sensibility to his practice. He provides comprehensive strategic counsel, helping clients evaluate, structure, negotiate and execute equity and debt financings, public and private mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, special situations, and restructurings, distressed or otherwise, with many clients also relying on him as outside general counsel. In addition, working collaboratively with Olshan's Litigation and Tax teams, Mitch helps clients enforce rights and navigate and resolve disputes, including with respect to business separation and partner disagreements.
Moana Luu is the CEO, Creative Director and Founder of ManLuu and Global Chief Content and Creative Officer of Essence
A woman of influence and nationally recognized commercial real estate lawyer, Nina Roket crafts industry-leading leasing, property transfer and finance transactions for well-known properties, their owners, developers, investors and tenants. She co-chairs Olshan's Real Estate Law Practice and chairs the firm's Commercial Leasing Practice.
Nina advises clients in sophisticated commercial real estate deals, including leasing of major real estate projects, and property acquisitions, sales, financings, and development across the nation.
She acts as landlord's counsel at numerous office buildings in Midtown and Downtown New York City and represents tenants across industries from new and emerging companies to well-established brands. Fashion companies, hedge funds, sports and entertainment companies, technology companies, medical institutions, startups and finance companies all seek her counsel in leasing headquarters space.
Nina represents both landlords and tenants in flexible workspace leases, sale-leasebacks, management agreements, and structured revenue-sharing deals.
In the retail arena, Nina manages complex leasing projects for numerous developers and owners of significant, high-profile retail sites across the U.S., including in New York, Miami Beach, Las Vegas, Beverly Hills, and Atlantic City.
She also represents owners and food and restaurant operators in food and beverage and restaurant leases.
Nina has extensive experience in, and negotiates sophisticated, acquisitions, sales and financings on behalf of borrowers, in all asset classes, including multi-family and hotels.
Job Titles:
- Featured in "How I Made Partner" Q & a on Law.Com
- Real Estate Developer
- Recognized by NYREJ in 2022 Industry Leader Spotlight
- Serves As Moderator at Bisnow 's NYC State of the Market Conference
- Serves As Moderator at Global Leaders in Real Estate Summit
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- Featured in "How I Made Partner" Q & a on Law.Com
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- Founder and Former Executive Chairman of Perry Ellis International, Inc
- Olshan Represents Founder
Represented George Feldenkreis, founder and former executive chairman of Perry Ellis International, Inc., in his $437 million acquisition of Perry Ellis, which received "Deal of the Year" and "Activist Campaign of the Year" by The Deal.
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- Founder of Great Ink Communications, Inc
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- Developer Closes on Construction Loan
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- Partner
- Andrew Freedman and Ron Berenblat Author Article on Director Overboarding for Ethical Boardroom Magazine
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- Executive Vice President of Enforcement, New York Stock Exchange
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- President, Cerami & Associates, Inc., Acoustical & Audiovisual Consultants