Seward & Kissel Bolsters Maritime Finance with Veteran John Benson
Event summary
- John Benson joins Seward & Kissel as Head of Maritime Finance, bringing 20 years of Chambers-ranked experience.
- Benson previously worked at Watson Farley & Williams, reuniting with Susanne Burstein, who joined Seward & Kissel in mid-2025.
- Benson is recognized as a leading asset finance lawyer by multiple legal directories and is admitted to practice in New York and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
- Seward & Kissel has added eight lateral partners in the past year, including Benson and Burstein.
The big picture
Seward & Kissel's addition of John Benson underscores the firm's strategic focus on deepening its maritime finance capabilities amid growing demand for specialized legal services in the sector. The hire follows a trend of lateral partner acquisitions aimed at bolstering niche expertise in transportation finance. Benson's dual admission to practice in New York and the Republic of the Marshall Islands positions the firm to better serve clients in complex, cross-border transactions.
What we're watching
- Talent Retention
- Whether Seward & Kissel can sustain its recent spree of high-profile lateral hires in the maritime and transportation sectors.
- Market Differentiation
- How Benson's expertise will further distinguish Seward & Kissel in the competitive maritime finance landscape.
- Cross-Border Growth
- The pace at which Seward & Kissel expands its cross-border maritime finance capabilities with Benson's international experience.
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