Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright appointed New York partner Kessar Nashat as U.S. co-head of its business practice group, effective April 1, 2026. Nashat will serve alongside Sheldon Nussbaum, who has led the group for the past five years, ensuring a seamless leadership transition after Nussbaum ceases in the role at year end.
“Kessar is a highly respected leader within our business practice group, known for bringing teams together across offices and disciplines to execute complex transactions,” Jeff Cody, Norton Rose Fulbright’s global and U.S. managing partner, said. “Under Sheldon’s outstanding leadership, the group has experienced transformative growth and strengthened its position in global and U.S. markets. As the practice keeps building on that momentum, Kessar will play a key role in continuing to align our capabilities and expand the support we provide to clients in the U.S. and globally.”
Nussbaum said, “I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Kessar over the past several years and have seen firsthand his many attributes and qualifications that are critical for this role, including his interpersonal skills, business judgment, substantive knowledge, vision and financial acumen. I’m proud of what this team has built together and confident that, working alongside an outstanding group of lawyers, Kessar will continue to advance the practice and deliver for our clients.”
Nashat has decades of experience advising clients on a broad range of complex corporate and transactional matters. He represents public and private companies in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and capital markets transactions across the energy, manufacturing, aerospace and defense and technology industries. He also advises on corporate and securities matters, including SEC filings and other public disclosures, corporate governance and board matters, insider trading and equity-based compensation. Nashat has served as Norton Rose Fulbright’s U.S. co‑head of corporate, M&A and securities since 2024 alongside Scarlet McNellie, who will continue to lead that team within the business practice group.
“Clients are navigating an increasingly complex deal landscape that demands sound judgment and practical advice from experienced counsel,” Nashat said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Sheldon to lead this impressive group advising our clients on their most significant transactions and everyday needs.”
Licensed in New York, Kessar received his law degree cum laude from New York University School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University. He has been recognized by The Legal 500 US since 2018 for his corporate and middle-market M&A work in the energy sector. In 2025, Crain’s New York Business named him a notable M&A dealmaker, and he was most recently recognized as a stand-out lawyer by Thomson Reuters.
