Robert W. Olson

Of Counsel

Bob has many years of experience in corporate, merger and acquisitions and securities law. He has managed the legal aspects of dozens of merger, acquisition and divestiture transactions across a broad variety of industries. Bob’s experience also includes regularly advising public company boards of directors and management on the legal issues they face, including compliance with federal securities laws, corporate governance and general business issues.

He joined the firm in 2008, after 19 years as a public company general counsel. Most recently, he was senior vice president and general counsel of Chiquita Brands International, Inc. for 11 years, with responsibility for all global legal matters. Previously, he spent 16 years with The Penn Central Corporation, the last eight as its senior vice president and general counsel. Bob began his career with nine years at the New York City law firm of Cravath, Swaine & Moore and worked for two years in its Paris office.

Credentials

Education

University of Virginia School of Law (J.D., 1970)

  • Virginia Law Review, Managing Board

Williams College (B.A., cum laude, 1967)

  • With honors in History

Bar admissions

  • Ohio
  • New York

Court admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Affiliations and memberships

  • University of Cincinnati College of Law, past adjunct professor
  • Cincinnati Opera Association
    • Advisory Trustee
    • Past board president
  • Cincinnati Museum Center
    • Trustee emeritus
    • Past chairman of the board
  • Cincinnati Historical Society, past president
  • Music Hall Revitalization Company, Director

Distinctions

  • Peer Review Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell
  • Best Lawyers®
    • “Lawyer of the Year” in Cincinnati for International Mergers & Acquisitions (2019)
    • Corporate Law (2010-2018, 2022-2023, 2026)
    • Corporate Law, International Mergers and Acquisitions (2019-2021, 2024-2025)
  • Ohio Super Lawyers® as a public company general counsel

News
  • August 21, 2025

    260 Dinsmore Attorneys Listed as 2026 Best Lawyers®, Ones to Watch

  • August 15, 2024

    250+ Dinsmore Attorneys Named 2025 Best Lawyers ®, Ones to Watch

  • August 17, 2023

    200+ Dinsmore Attorneys Named 2024 Best Lawyers®, “Ones to Watch”

  • August 18, 2022

    2023 Best Lawyers® List Recognizes 190 Dinsmore & Shohl Attorneys

  • August 19, 2021

    Best Lawyers® Recognizes 191 Dinsmore & Shohl Attorneys

  • August 20, 2020

    Best Lawyers® Recognizes 180 Dinsmore & Shohl Attorneys