Schulte Roth & Zabel Elects Six New Partners and Promotes Seven to Special Counsel

Schulte Roth & Zabel is pleased to announce that William Barbera, Sean Brownridge, Andrew Gladstein, Robert Griffin, Theodore Keyes and Donna Lazarus were elected to the firm’s partnership effective January 1, 2024. All are resident in the New York office.

The firm is also pleased to announce the promotion of Mark Garibyan, Farzaan Ijaz, Kolby Loft, Andrew Mazzarella, Ryan Post, Gregory Springsted and Shannon Wolf to special counsel. All are resident in the New York office with the exception of Ijaz, who is based in Washington, DC.

“We’re proud to recognize the accomplishments and potential of these attorneys who have the insight, creativity and focus that define Schulte Roth & Zabel,” said David Efron, co-managing partner of the firm. “Their capabilities and experience reflect the diversity of service our clients demand.”

“The specialized expertise of our newly promoted partners and special counsel is particularly impressive,” said Marc Elovitz, co-managing partner of Schulte. “Their leadership will be key to their success, and we look forward to their continued achievements.”

Partners

William J. Barbera focuses his practice on transactional and regulatory matters impacting broker-dealers, hedge funds and other financial institutions. He advises clients regarding a number of regulations applicable to securities trading and custody practices, including regulations related to alternative trading systems, short sale practices, best execution obligations, trading in new issues and the SEC’s customer protection rule. Bill also advises clients on transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions involving broker-dealers and the negotiation of trading, custody and prime brokerage agreements. He received his J.D., cum laude, from Washington University School of Law, his M.B.A. from Washington University, Olin School of Business and his B.A., cum laude, from Tufts University.

Sean W. Brownridge counsels investors on shareholder activism, corporate governance, M&A, and securities law matters. His practice focuses on investment execution, shareholder engagement, negotiated settlements, proxy contests, and contested M&A transactions. Sean’s experience also includes advising public company boards of directors and management teams on activism preparedness and defense. He previously served as the law clerk to the Honorable Karen L. Valihura of the Delaware Supreme Court. Sean received a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he was awarded the Oscar Bregman Prize for Excellence in the Field of Business Law, a Certificate of Management from The Wharton School, and a B.G.S, with high distinction, from the University of Michigan.

Andrew D. Gladstein has extensive experience representing investment managers and alternative investment funds, including hedge and private equity funds, in a wide variety of complex commercial litigations, regulatory actions and investigations, and arbitrations. Andy has successfully litigated numerous high-stakes private placement disputes, and routinely advises clients engaged in shareholder disputes, including shareholder activist matters. He received his J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University where he was a recipient of the Jacob Burns Medal for outstanding student achievement, and his B.A. with high honors in government & politics from the University of Maryland.

Robert E. Griffin concentrates his practice on complex commercial litigation on behalf of investment managers, private investment funds, financial institutions, private companies and individuals, including a broad range of business disputes involving claims for breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, fraud, and other commercial torts. Robert also has significant experience representing and advising investment managers and private investment funds in complex litigation arising out of life settlement investments. He received his J.D. from Columbia Law School and his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame. 

Theodore A. Keyes practices in the specialty areas of environmental law and insurance law in connection with transactions and litigation. For more than two decades, Ted has advised prominent corporations, private equity firms, investment managers, lenders, insurance companies and other entities.  His environmental practice focuses on environmental, health and safety risks associated with domestic and international mergers and acquisitions, financings, real estate, and other transactions as well as environmental insurance coverage cases, cost recovery actions and regulatory matters. Ted’s insurance practice includes advising policyholders with respect to specialty insurance products such as representations and warranties insurance and judgment preservation policies as well as in connection with management liability policy issues. His litigation practice covers a wide range of issues and disputes involving insurance and environmental law in state and federal court, as well as in the context of alternative dispute resolution. He received his J.D. from the Fordham University School of Law and his B.A. in Political Communications from George Washington University.

Donna K. Lazarus handles employment discrimination and labor relations matters and advises clients on hiring, managing, and terminating employees in compliance with federal, state and local laws. Donna advises clients on harassment and discrimination matters, and assists with drafting employment-related policies. She also works with a broad range of educational institutions, including independent schools, colleges, universities, professional training programs and education-related associations, advising them on a variety of legal matters, including board liability, student discipline, learning and other disabilities, employment matters, harassment and bullying, admissions, contracts and litigation issues. She received her J.D. from New York University and her B.A., summa cum laude in Philosophy, Politics, and Law from Binghamton University.

Special Counsel

Mark L. Garibyan practices in the areas of commercial, business and bankruptcy disputes, as well as shareholder activism litigation. His practice also includes internal and government investigations relating to federal securities laws, anti-money laundering and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act issues. He received his J.D., cum laude from the University of Michigan and his B.A., cum laude from Brandeis University.

Farzaan Ijaz practices in the firm’s Finance & Derivatives Group and focuses his practice on representing hedge funds, asset managers and private equity funds and their portfolio companies as borrowers and lenders in a wide variety of financing transactions. He has particular expertise in leveraged finance transactions and fund finance, including acquisition financings, capital call facilities, asset-based and cash-flow facilities, mezzanine and subordinated loans, NAV facilities, carried interest and management company financings, rated feeders, cross-border transactions and other complex credit arrangements. He received his J.D. from New York University and his B.B.A., magna cum laude in Finance from Texas Tech University.   

Kolby K. Loft represents private funds, broker-dealers, and other financial institutions in enforcement proceedings and investigations by the SEC, DOJ, FINRA, self-regulatory organizations and state regulators. Kolby has advised clients during investigations and enforcement matters relating to potential insider trading, securities fraud, market manipulation, and a wide array of investment adviser and broker-dealer rules and regulations. He also represents clients in regulatory investigations relating to developing financial technologies, including digital assets. Kolby previously worked at global law firms and in the litigation department of a global investment bank. He received his J.D. and his B.A., cum laude from New York University.

Andrew M. Mazzarella focuses his practice on the representation of private funds (including hedge funds, private equity funds, hybrid funds and funds of funds) and investment advisers in connection with their structuring, formation and ongoing operational needs, and on regulatory and compliance matters. He received his J.D. from Fordham University and his B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross.

Ryan A. Post practices in the firm’s M&A and Securities group. He received his J.D., cum laude from Seton Hall University and his B.A., magna cum laude from American University.

Gregory R. Springsted practices in the firm’s Litigation group.  He received his J.D. from New York University and his B.S. from the University of Richmond.

Shannon B. Wolf practices in the firm’s Litigation and Enforcement group. She received her J.D. from the University of Connecticut and her B.A. from Western Connecticut State University.