Seward & Kissel Adds Maritime Finance Partner John Imhof

Seward & Kissel LLP announced today that veteran finance attorney John Imhof has joined the firm’s leading Maritime and Transportation Finance practice in New York. 

“John is a wonderful complement to our group,” said Seward & Kissel partner Lawrence Rutkowski, head of the firm’s Maritime and Transportation Finance practice. “We’ve added a highly talented individual who truly understands the needs of lenders to and investors in the shipping industry. We’re excited about what John will bring to our group in the years to come.”

Mr. Imhof, who comes to Seward & Kissel from Watson, Farley & Williams, brings more than 20 years of experience with domestic and cross-border financings of transportation assets for major banks and other financial institutions. In recent years, he has represented many private equity funds that stepped into the maritime space as more traditional sources of capital became less available.

“Seward & Kissel has always been the standard bearer in maritime finance,” said Mr. Imhof. “The firm’s wealth of transactional experience is truly impressive. Seward & Kissel’s ability to handle any kind of exit strategy is particularly important for private equity funds that may be looking to realize the benefits from their maritime investments.”

In 2014, Chambers USA ranked Seward & Kissel as a “Band 1” national shipping finance practice. The practice was also ranked as a leading global shipping finance practice in the Chambers Global 2014 edition. Additionally, the firm was recently named “Law Firm of the Year (Shipping/Maritime) – North America” at the 2014 M&A Today Global Awards.

“John’s presence broadens the talent base already in place at Seward & Kissel,” said Michael Timpone, one of four partners in the firm’s Maritime and Transportation Finance practice recognized as a nationally leading attorney by Chambers USA in 2014. “His experience in maritime finance makes him an ideal partner to reinforce our global reputation as one of the leading firms in this space. There’s no doubt he will add value for our clients from day one.”