Department profile
Corporate/M&A: Shareholder Activism
USA Guide 2026 : New York
Rankings
Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
About
Provided by Seward & Kissel LLP
• Focus: cross-border M&A; investment management, shipping and digital media industries.
• Market-leading transactions: Act on market-leading transactions for clients within our focus sectors including: for the investment management, broker-dealer and related industries Kudu/Bingham Osborne; Kudu/Versus; iM Global/Scharf; Marex/Rosenthal Collins; TIG/Kudu; TIG/Romspen; Cramer Rosenthal/Wilmington Trust; APMEX/One Gold; First Long Island Investors/Kudu and Forbes Family Trust/Optima deals; for the shipping and offshore drilling industry, the Ocean Rig/Transocean; Poseidon/Global Ship Lease; DryShips/Heidmar and Ridgebury Tankers/Riverstone deals. We also have market leading expertise handling dozens of seed investment deals involving private fund managers annually.
• A “go-to” firm for middle-market negotiated M&A for businesses across all sectors, including international deals and deals involving private equity firms. These recently included: PESCM/Ethos (veterinary); BBRC Private Equity/Hot Yoga (fitness); Topo Research/Gartner (market research); Constellation Advisors/TZP (professional services) and BBRC Private Equity/Plant Therapy (wellness branded consumer products).
Among New York-based mid-sized law firms, Seward & Kissel is unusual (if not unique) in offering first tier transactional capabilities for international, middle-market M&A deals. The majority of our clients are non-US based or have international business operations.
Clients (11)
- UBM plc
- iM Square
- Agrifos Partners
- Sandler O'Neill + Partners
- Ocean Rig UDW Inc.
- Poseidon Containers Holdings
- First Long Island Investors
- TIG Advisors
- DryShips Inc.
- Kudu Investment Management
- Pet Emergency & Specialty Care of Marin
Industries (13)
- Investment Management
- Shipping
- Seed Investment Deals
- Private Equity
- Broker-Dealer
- Banks
- Financial Services
- Health Care
- Media
- Pharmaceuticals
- Software & Computer Services
- Technology
- Transportation
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
Seward & Kissel distinguishes itself through the strength and accessibility of its senior-level team, the precision and attention to detail in its work product, and its ability to act as a true strategic adviser.
Corporate/M&A: Shareholder Activism respondentUSASeward & Kissel consistently comes up with a pragmatic, commercial approach to structuring and negotiating deal points. They proactively bring up potential issues and present you with multiple options while thoughtfully explaining the pros and cons of each.
Corporate/M&A: Shareholder Activism respondentUSAThey are always responsive and they go above and beyond to meet deadlines. They are constantly moving things forward and you truly feel like you're their only client given the level of service.
Corporate/M&A: Shareholder Activism respondentUSAThese lawyers are technical experts who know our sector and are able to communicate in an easy to understand way. They are also deeply responsive.
Corporate/M&A: Shareholder Activism respondentUSAThis team has industry expertise and business acumen.
Corporate/M&A: Shareholder Activism respondentUSA
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Band 3 
Band 3 Adriana Schwartz
Adriana Schwartz is adept at advising clients in the field of shareholder activism. She is able to advise on complex activist campaigns, in addition to assisting activists in securities-related matters.
Adriana is incredibly reliable, intelligent and caring.
Corporate/M&A: Shareholder Activism respondentUSA
Band 5 
Band 5 James E Abbott
James Abbott is co-head of the firm's business transactions group. He is routinely engaged in domestic and cross-border M&A, joint ventures and private equity deals. His client base includes entities active in the media and shipping industries.
Jim always exceeds our expectations. We are very impressed with his experience, counsel and patience.
Corporate/M&A: Shareholder Activism respondentUSA
Band 6 
Band 6 Craig Sklar
Craig Sklar is co-head of the firm's business transactions group and is well versed in M&A, joint ventures and private equity deals, with particular strength in investment management industry transactions.
He is very commercial and we are lucky to have him lead our team.
Corporate/M&A: Shareholder Activism respondentUSACraig is so knowledgeable and so effective. He works harder than most and delivers a truly excellent service.
Corporate/M&A: Shareholder Activism respondentUSA
Band 6 
Band 6 Nick Katsanos
Nick Katsanos undertakes impressive work in M&A involving both public and private companies and private equity firms. He has experience acting for clients in a range of sectors, including shipping and financial services.
He brings a smart, level-headed approach to completing acquisitions that makes the transactions go very smoothly. His support has been invaluable.
Corporate/M&A: Shareholder Activism respondentUSANick's level of responsiveness and client service makes you feel like you are his only client.
Corporate/M&A: Shareholder Activism respondentUSANick is exceptionally sharp, commercial and solutions-oriented. He combines deep technical expertise with a practical understanding of how deals get done.
Corporate/M&A: Shareholder Activism respondentUSA
Ranked Individuals at Seward & Kissel LLP (4)
New York
James E Abbott
Head of Corporate/M&A
View profile Craig Sklar
Head of Corporate/M&A
View profile Nick Katsanos
Corporate/M&A
View profile Adriana Schwartz
Corporate/M&A: Shareholder Activism
View profile
Members
Provided by Seward & Kissel LLP
Nick Katsanos
Gerhard Anderson
Meir Grossman
Nick Katsanos
View profile of Nick KatsanosAdriana Schwartz
View profile of Adriana Schwartz
What success is built on
Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.