Seward & Kissel
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Legal services |
| Founded | 1890 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Legal services (financial services, corporate law, maritime law) |
Number of employees | 160 attorneys (as of September 2015) |
Seward & Kissel is a U.S.-based law firm with offices located in New York City and Washington, D.C., established in 1890. The firm focuses primarily on financial services, representing clients such as commercial banks, investment funds, institutional investors, and shipping enterprises. As of September 2015, the firm’s legal team comprised 160 attorneys.
History
The firm, initially known as Smith & Martin, has preserved its independence since inception—an uncommon trait among mid-sized law firms. In 1949, it played a pivotal role in advising on the creation of the first hedge fund. The firm expanded its presence to Washington, D.C., in 1977 and introduced its transportation and maritime legal practice in 1992.
Its current name pays tribute to George Seward, who was a partner from 1953 until 1983 and a prominent figure within business law organizations. Seward held the position of honorary life president of the International Bar Association and remained engaged with the profession until 2011.
To commemorate its 125th year in 2015, Seward & Kissel placed a time capsule at its Battery Park location, symbolizing optimism for sustained business development.
The firm attracted significant attention for representing Chevron in prosecuting environmental attorney Steven Donziger. This involvement sparked controversy due to alleged conflicts of interest stemming from prior engagements with Chevron, leading to a boycott initiated by around 300 law students across 50 law schools who questioned the firm’s ethical principles and recruitment practices.
Lawsuits
On February 27, 2012, the Delaware Court of Chancery ruled favorably for plaintiffs represented by Seward & Kissel by blocking BankAtlantic Bancorp's (BBX) transaction involving the sale of BankAtlantic to Branch Bank & Trust. The court determined that this sale infringed upon the contractual rights of BBX trust securities holders, establishing that banks holding trust preferred securities (TruPS) must respect holders’ rights during corporate restructuring.
In May 2016, Gray Financial Group filed a $12 million malpractice lawsuit against Seward & Kissel in federal court in Georgia, accusing the firm of providing negligent counsel that exposed Gray to federal investigations. Seward & Kissel refuted these allegations as “without merit and subject to sanctions.”
Ratings
Seward & Kissel enjoys considerable acclaim within the legal sector. Chambers USA 2019 recognized four of its practice areas—Investment Management, Corporate/M&A, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, and Maritime Finance—as well as 14 individual attorneys. Legal 500 US 2018 highlighted two practices (Hedge Funds and Corporate/M&A) along with four lawyers. Furthermore, 25 attorneys at the firm have been designated SuperLawyers. U.S. News – Best Lawyers awarded national rankings to four practice groups and acknowledged five additional regional practices, underscoring the firm’s strong market position and strategic expertise across its core industries.