Michael Schwartz joined Lazard Middle Market as a managing director and head of Corporate Finance Advisory.

Based in New York, Schwartz was previously managing director and group head of Debt Capital Markets at Cowen Group. Before that, he was a VP at Ramius and Jefferies.

“Mike has extensive experience advising private equity-owned, family-owned and public companies on debt and equity financing transactions,” said David Solomon, head of Lazard’s middle market advisory business. “He expands our ability to creatively solve a range of client needs, including advice on capital structure, debt financing and recapitalizations, equity private placements and IPO and equity capital markets, working with our sector-focused middle market M&A and restructuring teams.”

Lazard’s middle market advisory business provides substantive financial and strategic advice on mergers and acquisitions, financing of debt and equity and restructuring to mid-sized companies.