Commended for its ‘stand out practitioners’, Seward & Kissel LLP handles high-stakes commercial disputes, covering financial services and investment litigation, antitrust and class actions, data privacy and cyber matters, and trade secrets and tech disputes. The New York-based department is headlined by Russell Johnston, who is widely recognized for commercial litigation for financial institutions and asset managers – particularly credit disputes, contract and covenant claims, and enforcement matters – and Michael Watling, who concentrates on sophisticated disputes for investment management and financial services clients, including shareholder and partnership breakups and fund-related litigation. Jack Yoskowitz, Bruce Paulsen and Brian Maloney are also critical members of the litigation team. The practice was strengthened in 2025 by the arrivals of Randall Adams, who is well versed in shareholder activism and corporate control disputes, and Mark Garibyan, noted for activist investor and securities disclosure litigation. Michael Considine and Anne C Patin departed in the same year.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'In the areas of corporate and commercial litigation, Seward & Kissel takes a practical, value oriented approach. They are capable of handling highly sophisticated matters and effectively achieving the clients' objectives.'
- 'First class, market leading practice, with a strong bench.'
- 'The service that we receive from S&K is second to none. Their advice, perspectives and approach has been instrumental in our success.'
- 'Jack Yoskowitz is a go-to litigator with excellent judgment about when to fight hard in litigation and when to take a more nuanced approach.'
- 'Bruce Paulsen and Brian Maloney are stand out practitioners in a crowded field. Detailed, responsive and knowledgeable, with a hard working bench.'
- 'Jack Yoskowitz and Meghan Agostinelli are our primary points of contact for this work. They are commercial and fierce advocates for our interests.'
Key clients
- CoVenture – Vantage Credit Opportunities GP, LLC
- U.S. Bank National Association
- Eric Bischoff
- Neal Schon
- GordonMD Long Biased Master Fund LP
- Aksia LLC
- Sancus Capital Credit Master Fund, Ltd., f/k/a Sancus Capital Blue Credit Opportunities Fund, Ltd. (“Sancus”)
- Georgia Kaloidis
- Madera Technology Partners
- Kevin Kulak
- Metropolitan Transit Authority
- Matthew Dundon, Trustee of the Endo GUC Trust
Work highlights
Advised CoVenture – Vantage Credit Opportunities GP, LLC - as deal agent in connection with dispute brought by a minority lender seeking repayment in connection with a $220m loan facility.
Advised US Bank National Association, as indenture trustee, in connection with various holder and other disputes related to the ACIS collateralized loan obligations.
Advised Eric Bischoff in connection with complex disputes regarding the ownership of Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc.
Practice head
Russell Johnston; Michael Watling
Other key lawyers
Jack Yoskowitz; Bruce Paulsen; Brian Maloney; Randall Adams; Mark Garibyan; Meghan Agostinelli