Elizabeth Gonzalez-Sussman

Practice Areas

• Shareholder Activism Practice

• Corporate/Securities Law

Career

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.

Hedge funds and other large investors in shareholder activist situations regularly rely on Elizabeth for legal and strategic guidance on everything from large stock accumulations, behind-the-scenes engagements, letter-writing campaigns, consent and exempt solicitations, submitting shareholder proposals, negotiating settlements, running proxy contests, and making unsolicited offers.

Corporate directors and management teams at both public and private companies retain Elizabeth for advice when board-related issues or disputes arise.

Professional Memberships

• Board of Directors, Columbia Law School Association

since 2018

Personal

• Named a “Leading Lawyer” in Corporate/M&A: Shareholder Activism by Chambers USA since 2021

• Recognized as a Tier 1 “Leading Lawyer” in The Legal 500 United States guide in M&A/Corporate and Commercial: Shareholder Activism - Advice to Shareholders since 2020 and previously was recognized as a “Recommended Lawyer” in the same category, 2019

• Named to the Top Women in Dealmaking list by The Deal, 2023

• Named one of the top 13 attorneys in the shareholder activism space by Business Insider, 2022

• Named to the New York Metro Super Lawyers list since 2022

• Named among the “Notable Diverse Leaders in Law” by Crain’s New York Business, 2022

• Named among the “Notable Women in Law” by Crain’s New York Business in 2019, 2020 and 2023

• Awarded “Deal of the Year” and “Activist Campaign of the Year” by The Deal for representation of George Feldenkreis in his nomination of directors and successful unsolicited acquisition of Perry Ellis

Work Highlights

Represented Legion Partners in its nomination, litigation and subsequent settlement at Primo Water Corporation, resulting in two of its nominees replacing two incumbent directors and certain bylaw changes.

Represented Stadium Capital in its engagement and settlement for two board seats at Sleep Number.

Represented Impactive Capital in its first nomination and subsequent settlement with Envestnet, Inc., resulting in two of its nominees joining the board and a third added by the company.

Represented an investor group led by Macellum Capital in connection with its nomination of directors at Kohl’s Corporation. Subsequently negotiated a settlement to add three new independent directors to the board.

Represented Immersion Corporation in its nomination and cooperation agreement with Universal Electronics.

Represented Chatham Asset Management in its successful acquisition of R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company following its unsolicited bid to acquire the company.

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.