Lazard Ltd announced Michael Schwartz has joined its subsidiary, Lazard Middle Market LLC, as a Managing Director and Head of Corporate Finance Advisory. He is based in New York.

“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.”

Prior to joining Lazard, Schwartz was a Managing Director and Group Head of Debt Capital Markets at Cowen Group. He led the group that originated, structured and placed fixed income securities for middle-market issuers, including high yield bond offerings, debt private placements and private exchange offer transactions. Prior to this, Schwartz was a Vice President at Ramius, advising on investment opportunities across the capital structure of middle market companies, distressed situations and convertible bonds. Schwartz began his career at Jefferies & Co.

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. Its senior professionals bring deep sector expertise and relationships with relevant CEOs and board members, while leveraging the global resources of Lazard.

Lazard, one of the world’s preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms, operates from 42 cities across 27 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Central and South America. With origins dating to 1848, the firm provides advice on mergers and acquisitions, strategic matters, restructuring and capital structure, capital raising and corporate finance, as well as asset management services to corporations, partnerships, institutions, governments and individuals.