Seward & Kissel LLP announced today that Walter Van Dorn has joined the firm’s New York office as a partner in the Capital Markets and Corporate Securities Group.

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Walter Van Dorn (Photo: Business Wire)

Formerly a partner at Dentons, Van Dorn advises clients on securities and capital markets transactions, including IPOs, public and private equity and debt offerings, and offers comprehensive counsel on the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and other U.S. securities laws. Earlier in his career, he served as Special Counsel in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of International Corporate Finance in the Division of Corporation Finance and subsequently practiced at Clifford Chance in London.

“Walter brings a world of insight in capital markets transactions and securities-related issues to clients of our practice,” said Keith Billotti, co-head of Seward & Kissel’s Capital Markets and Corporate Securities Group. “His background, spanning a wealth of transaction types and international borders, makes him a valuable complement to our team. Moreover, his experience as an SEC official should be particularly valuable to our clients given the changing regulatory climate that they face.”

Van Dorn has advised clients including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, in connection with the sale of $392 million in equity acquired in connection with the liquidation of Signature Bank, and the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Inter Pipeline Ltd. in its response to an unsolicited takeover bid by Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P., which was recognized as the Canadian Law Awards M&A Deal of the Year. He also advised the Republic of Ecuador on the largest debt-for-nature swap ever executed, through which Ecuador is protecting the Galápagos Islands.

“It’s a privilege to join a law firm with Seward & Kissel’s history of excellence,” said Van Dorn. “The broad capabilities of the Capital Markets and Corporate Securities Group, along with its commercial orientation, make it a strong fit for my own practice.”

Van Dorn serves as vice chair of the American Bar Association’s International Securities and Capital Markets Committee and has served on the New York City Bar Association’s Securities Regulation Committee as well as the Law360 Capital Markets Editorial Advisory Board. He speaks and writes frequently on a range of securities-related issues, including ESG investing and SEC reporting and compliance.

“Walter is internationally recognized as an authority on capital markets and securities transactions,” said Edward Horton, co-head of Seward & Kissel’s Capital Markets and Corporate Securities Group. “He has a demonstrated ability to structure complex and innovative transactions that will serve our clients well in changing market conditions.”

Van Dorn received his J.D., cum laude, from Boston University School of Law, and received his B.A. from the University of Michigan.

His arrival is the latest in a series of lateral hires by Seward & Kissel from Am Law 100 firms. Since 2023, the firm has added Ronald Hewitt, a partner in the Global Banking and Corporate Trust Group, from Covington & Burling LLP; Sonita Bennitt, a partner in the Tax Group, from Goodwin Procter; Kristen Curatolo, the co-head of the firm’s Private Clients/Trusts and Estates Group, from Kirkland & Ellis; David Baron, a partner in the Employment Group, from Hogan Lovells; and Daniel Viola, a partner in the Investment Management Group, from Sadis & Goldberg.

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 investment management, 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.

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