Seward & Kissel Continues Momentum With Litigation & Investigations Group Partner Hire

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Seward & Kissel LLP announced today that Mark Garibyan has joined the Firm as partner in its Litigation & Investigations Group in New York.

Garibyan has extensive experience representing hedge funds, private equity firms, public companies, and high-net-worth individuals in complex commercial disputes with a focus on securities cases, partnership disputes, and employment matters. He is recognized in “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” 2026 edition as a leading Commercial Litigation attorney.

“I am incredibly excited to join Seward & Kissel,” said Garibyan. “The Firm’s reputation for excellence and its commitment to client success align well with my professional values. I look forward to contributing to the Litigation & Investigations Group and working alongside the talented team.”

Garibyan spent his career at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, which recently merged with McDermott Will & Emery LLP. He is part of a distinguished group of litigators transitioning to Seward from Schulte, which includes partner Randall Adams and associate Benjamin Litvin, further strengthening the Firm’s litigation capabilities and depth.

“Having worked closely with Mark over the years, I’ve seen firsthand the depth of his expertise and the integrity he brings to every client matter,” said Adams. “His strategic thinking and collaborative approach have made him an invaluable colleague, and I’m excited to continue working with him at Seward & Kissel as we build on that momentum together.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Mark to Seward & Kissel,” said James Cofer, managing partner of Seward & Kissel. “It has been an exciting year of growth for our Firm, which is further underscored by Mark’s joining. His arrival strengthens our commitment to delivering strategic, high-impact counsel across the financial services and corporate sectors.”

Garibyan has substantial experience representing activist investors in proxy contest litigations involving Sections 13 and 14 of the Securities Exchange Act and helped secure the first federal appellate decision in the country affirming that an activist investor can moot a Section 13(d) claim alleging inadequate disclosures by disclosing the existence of the dispute itself.

“Mark has unique, sophisticated litigation experience,” said Michael Watling, partner and co-chair of the Firm’s Litigation & Investigations Group. “His extensive experience in commercial litigation, as well as his expertise in shareholder activism litigation, will undoubtedly strengthen our group.”

In addition to his litigation experience, Garibyan has conducted investigations on behalf of clients in sensitive matters involving compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and anti-money laundering requirements. He has also represented clients in investigations and enforcement actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the Department of Education. Prior to his career as a litigator, Garibyan practiced as a corporate attorney and represented clients in mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, and shareholder activism campaigns.

Garibyan received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and his undergraduate degree from Brandeis University.

The Firm has welcomed several other laterals in key practice areas this year, including Lindsay Ditlow, co-head of the Employment Practice, also from McDermott Will & Schulte; Susanne Burstein, head of Transportation Finance, from Watson Farley & Williams; Jacob Comer, a partner in the Investment Management Group, from Novaquest Capital Management; Caroline Lee, a partner in the Corporate Group, from Dechert; and Edward Vergara, co-head of the Trusts & Estates Practice, from Dungey Dougherty.

About Seward & Kissel LLP

Seward & Kissel LLP, founded in 1890, is a leading U.S. law firm with offices in New York City and Washington, D.C., with particular expertise in the financial services, investment management, banking and shipping industries. The Firm is well known for its representation of investment advisers and related investment funds, broker-dealers, major commercial banks, institutional investors and transportation companies (particularly in the shipping area). Its practices primarily focus on corporate, M&A, securities, litigation (including white collar), restructuring/bankruptcy, real estate, regulatory, tax, employment and ERISA for clients seeking legal expertise in these areas.