Key Takeaways
- • Scott Bennett joins Sidley Austin as partner and head of technology capital markets practice, departing Cravath after nearly two decades to lead the firm's expansion in tech-focused capital markets in New York, effective March 6, 2026.
- • Bennett brings deep expertise across venture capital, growth equity, and digital assets, with notable transaction experience including BitGo's IPO, Robinhood's IPO, and a $3.4 billion capital raise for the online brokerage platform.
- • Move represents at least the ninth partner departure from Cravath this year and marks the tenth partner Sidley has recruited from other law firms in New York during 2026, reflecting intensified talent competition among elite law firms.
- • Bennett's practice consolidates client relationships across Sidley's global network, particularly serving high-growth technology, fintech, and artificial intelligence companies alongside traditional sectors including energy, life sciences, and transportation.
- • Sidley management positions the hire as strategic expansion into emerging technologies and digital assets, with chair Yvette Ostolaza emphasizing the firm's global commitment to serving clients at the forefront of innovation.
Summary
Sidley Austin has recruited Scott Bennett from Cravath, Swaine & Moore as a partner and head of its technology capital markets practice in New York, effective March 6, 2026. Bennett's departure marks a significant talent acquisition for Sidley and reflects ongoing competitive dynamics in elite legal services, particularly in capital markets practice areas focused on emerging growth sectors.
Bennett brings substantial experience across public and private securities offerings, venture capital financings, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance matters. His notable transaction history includes representation of BitGo, the crypto custody platform, in its initial public offering earlier in 2026, as well as advisory work on Robinhood's IPO and the firm's $3.4 billion capital raise. His practice encompasses technology, fintech, digital assets, and artificial intelligence sectors, alongside traditional industries spanning energy, consumer products, life sciences, transportation, and shipping.
At Cravath, where Bennett joined in 2006 and became partner in 2014, he served as co-head of both the Venture Capital & Growth Equity practice and the Digital Assets practice. His 20-year tenure at Cravath reflects the firm's historically low partner attrition, though that pattern has shifted considerably. Bennett represents at least the ninth Cravath partner departure in 2026 alone, departing for rivals including Davis Polk & Wardwell, Paul Hastings, and Willkie Farr & Gallagher, as well as in-house roles.
Sidley's hiring of Bennett follows its recruitment of David Perkins, co-leader of Cravath's private equity practice, approximately one year prior. Bennett's arrival marks at least the tenth partner Sidley has brought into its New York office from external law firms during 2026. Yvette Ostolaza, Sidley's Management Committee Chair, stated that Bennett's practice "sits squarely at the intersection of venture, growth equity, and traditional capital markets," positioning Sidley to consolidate client representation across its global platform while expanding capabilities in digital assets and emerging technologies.
Bennett brings substantial experience across public and private securities offerings, venture capital financings, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance matters. His notable transaction history includes representation of BitGo, the crypto custody platform, in its initial public offering earlier in 2026, as well as advisory work on Robinhood's IPO and the firm's $3.4 billion capital raise. His practice encompasses technology, fintech, digital assets, and artificial intelligence sectors, alongside traditional industries spanning energy, consumer products, life sciences, transportation, and shipping.
At Cravath, where Bennett joined in 2006 and became partner in 2014, he served as co-head of both the Venture Capital & Growth Equity practice and the Digital Assets practice. His 20-year tenure at Cravath reflects the firm's historically low partner attrition, though that pattern has shifted considerably. Bennett represents at least the ninth Cravath partner departure in 2026 alone, departing for rivals including Davis Polk & Wardwell, Paul Hastings, and Willkie Farr & Gallagher, as well as in-house roles.
Sidley's hiring of Bennett follows its recruitment of David Perkins, co-leader of Cravath's private equity practice, approximately one year prior. Bennett's arrival marks at least the tenth partner Sidley has brought into its New York office from external law firms during 2026. Yvette Ostolaza, Sidley's Management Committee Chair, stated that Bennett's practice "sits squarely at the intersection of venture, growth equity, and traditional capital markets," positioning Sidley to consolidate client representation across its global platform while expanding capabilities in digital assets and emerging technologies.
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