Craig S. Wittlin

Craig serves as HSE’s Managing Partner while leading a thriving corporate law and transactional practice. Known for his strong business acumen and pragmatic advice, Craig is a corporate lawyer with nearly 30 years of experience. He serves as outside General Counsel to one of the largest retailers in the Northeast United States, and serves as lead outside counsel to several other businesses in industries ranging from banking to manufacturing. Craig guides HSE teams in various merger, acquisition, securities, joint venture, and capital markets transactions. Over the last decade, he has led HSE’s efforts on transactions with an aggregate value of more than $10 billion, ranging from transactions of less than $1 million to more than $1 billion. Craig has substantial experience advising executives and board members of Fortune 500, Fortune 1000, and other public and large private companies on matters related to corporate governance, risk assessment, and disclosure obligations under federal securities laws.

Since 2012, Craig has been recognized as a leading practitioner in Corporate/M&A law by Chambers & Partners, the worldwide leader in law firm and attorney rankings. Upon his initial listing by Chambers USA, Craig was one of only two lawyers in New York State outside of the metro New York City area recognized by Chambers USA in its Corporate/M&A rankings. Currently, Craig is the only lawyer in upstate New York, in any practice area, to be recognized by Chambers as an “eminent practitioner”, a designation reserved for highly influential lawyers recognized for their key role in both management and client relationships. Chambers cites Craig as being “knowledgeable, responsive and practical” in his leadership of teams on a variety of corporate matters.

Craig has served as HSE’s Managing Partner since 2016. In that capacity, he acts as the firm’s Chief Executive Officer, and chairs the firm’s Management Committee. As Managing Partner, Craig provides strategic direction and leadership to the firm’s five offices, attorneys, and staff. Before being elected as Managing Partner, Craig spent 12 years on HSE’s Management Committee, led the firm’s strategic planning efforts, founded and chaired the firm’s associate evaluation committee, and served for more than a decade on its hiring committee.