Joshua Ayal

Joshua Ayal is a Partner at Freshfields based in New York. He focuses his practice on public and private company mergers and acquisitions and shareholder activist defense matters. He regularly advises companies and boards of directors on corporate governance and general corporate matters across many industries.

Josh earned a JD from Columbia Law School, where he was recognized as both a James Kent Scholar and a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. He received a BA with honors from Johns Hopkins University and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

Josh advises public and private companies on mergers, acquisitions, and strategic transactions. He works with boards of directors and management teams on complex corporate matters and governance issues. His experience spans a wide range of industries and includes significant cross-border and domestic transactions.

Josh has represented major companies and private equity firms in large transactions. His work includes advising Cencora on its merger of MWI Animal Health with Covetrus and the acquisition of Retina Consultants of America, as well as Oak Street Health on its sale to CVS Health.

Josh has also advised Sonoco on its acquisition of Eviosys, Vista Equity Partners on its acquisition of Avalara, and Nordic Capital on its acquisition of Inovalon. He has represented Pitney Bowes, IBM, Carlisle Companies, and UTi Worldwide on several acquisitions, sales, and strategic transactions.

Josh has been recognized for his work in corporate law and mergers and acquisitions. He was named to the Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation list and serves as a member of Law360’s 2025 Editorial Advisory Board for Mergers & Acquisitions.

Joshua Ayal is admitted to practice law in New York and continues to advise companies, investors, and boards on major transactions and governance matters, helping clients navigate complex deals and corporate challenges in fast-moving global markets with careful legal and strategic guidance.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Freshfields LLP
• Member, New York State Bar Association

Licensed State

• New York

Education

• Columbia Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Johns Hopkins University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges