Seward & Kissel Expands Maritime and Transportation Group With Addition of John Benson

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Seward & Kissel LLP announced today that John Benson has joined the Firm’s Maritime and Transportation Group as Head of Maritime Finance, bringing two decades of Chambers-ranked experience to Seward & Kissel’s long-respected practice.

Benson represents financial institutions, private equity, and other investment funds as well as foreign and domestic owners and operators in domestic and cross-border maritime finance transactions and joint ventures. He is admitted to practice law in New York as well as in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

“For more than four decades, Seward & Kissel has been the go-to U.S. firm in the maritime area,” said Daniel Bresler, managing partner of Seward & Kissel. “We have earned that reputation by cultivating and attracting exceptional talent in this field. John is a prime example—his expertise in sophisticated maritime finance transactions places him among a very select group in the industry.”

“John’s arrival further strengthens the Firm’s leadership in the maritime industry and adds depth to our already robust client offerings,” said Keith Billotti, head of the Firm’s Capital Markets and Maritime and Transportation Capital Markets practices. “We are excited to have John join us and look forward to the continued growth of our practice.”

With his arrival, John reunites with Transportation Finance Practice head Susanne Burstein and positions Seward & Kissel for continued diversification into complementary areas of transportation finance.

“Having worked with John for most of my legal career, I know what an invaluable asset he will be to our Seward & Kissel clients,” said Burstein. “He brings many years of experience in the maritime space and an understanding and knowledge of maritime finance that few lawyers elsewhere possess. He will serve a vital role in continuing our well-established role as a leader in transportation law.”

Benson arrives from the London-headquartered, global law firm of Watson Farley & Williams, where he practiced closely with Burstein for almost two decades. Burstein, who joined Seward & Kissel in mid-2025, was one of eight lateral partners to join the Firm last year. Benson and Burstein, together with Keith Billotti, Ted Horton, and the rest of the highly regarded Maritime and Transportation Group, provide clients with a full-service legal team.

“Seward & Kissel is a firm that I have long known and respected,” said Benson. “I am thrilled to be joining an institution with such a strong and historied foundation in the transportation sector, and I am very excited to be teaming up with Susanne again.”

Benson is recognized as a leading asset finance lawyer by Chambers USA, Legal 500, and IFLR1000. Benson is also recognized as an “Expert Based Abroad in Marshall Islands law” by Chambers Global. He received his J.D. from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Villanova University.

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. Its practices primarily focus on corporate, M&A, securities, finance, litigation (including white collar), restructuring/bankruptcy, real estate, regulatory, tax, employment, and ERISA for clients seeking legal expertise in these areas.