Barbara Seniawski

Principal

E: barbara@seniawskilaw.com
T: (212) 595-4536

About Barbara

Barbara Seniawski, Esq., represents businesses and business owners in litigation, including appeals, before the state and federal courts of New York. She brings over two decades of experience to her advocacy work, with a focus on commercial disputes involving contract and fraud claims, business torts, business divorce, professional fee disputes, accounting issues, insurance matters, executive employment issues, and consumer protection claims. Barbara combines strategic insight, legal precision, and a deep understanding of complex financial and business issues to advance her clients’ goals effectively. She is known for her practical, solution-oriented approach that prioritizes results while minimizing unnecessary conflict.

In addition to her litigation practice, Barbara serves as a neutral arbitrator and mediator in both institutional and independent proceedings. She is committed to providing impartial, thoughtful resolution processes and is trusted to step out of the advocate’s role when serving as a neutral. Her litigation experience enhances her ability to understand issues quickly, assess complex arguments, and guide parties toward business-minded solutions. Clients appreciate her balanced, fair-minded approach and her ability to bring clarity, integrity, and sound judgment to each matter she handles.

Career Overview

  • The Seniawski Law Firm PLLC, Principal, NYC, 2012-present

  • DLA Piper LLP US, Senior Litigation Associate, NYC, 2007-2012

  • Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, Litigation Associate, NYC, 2003-2007

  • Shearman & Sterling LLP, Financial Restructuring & Insolvency Associate, NYC, 2001-2002; Bank Finance & M&A Summer Associate, NYC & London, 2000

  • Goodwin Procter LLC, NYC, Corporate Summer Associate, 1999

  • Dyer Ellis & Joseph PC, Corporate & Maritime Paralegal, Washington D.C., 1996-1998

Clerkship

  • Honorable Frank. M. Hull, United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (Atlanta)

Education

Columbia Law School (J.D.)

  • Kent Scholar

  • Editor-in-Chief, Columbia Journal of Transnational Law

  • President, DeVinimus (Wine Tasting Club)

 Fulbright Fellow

  • University of Jordan, Amman

 Dartmouth College (A.B.)

  • Magna cum laude

  • High Honors

  • Co-Editor-in-Chief, World Outlook: A Journal of International Affairs

 American University in Cairo (semester abroad)

Leadership & Professional Activities

New York State Bar Association

  • Dispute Resolution Section: Member

  • Commercial & Federal Litigation Section: Member

New York Women's Bar Association

New York City Bar Association

  • Litigation Committee: Past Chair & Member

  • Federal Courts Committee: Subcommittee Chair & Member

  • Council on Judicial Administration: Past Member

  • Litigation Funding Task Force: Past Member

  • Commercial Law & Uniform State Laws: Past Secretary

  • National Moot Court Competition: Volunteer Judge

New York County Lawyers Association

  • Committee on Supreme Court: Member

Bar & Court Admissions 

  • New York

  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York

  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

Publications, Presentations & Teaching

  • Federal Court Practice 101: An Introduction to the Nuts & Bolts of Federal Civil Practice (CLE) (NYCBA)

  • Report to the President by the New York City Bar Association Working Group on Litigation Funding (White Paper) (NYCBA)

  • The Art of Pleading (CLE) (NYCBA)

  • Nuts and Bolts of Applications for Temporary Restraining Orders (Panelist) (NYCBA)

  • Requesting a Temporary Restraining Order in New York County's Commercial Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York: A Practical Checklist (Co-author) (NYCBA)

  • Congratulations, You're a Startup; Now What? Tips for Surviving the First Year (Panelist)

  • Choosing Entrepreneurship: Top Challenges to Consider and How to Plan to Succeed (Panelist)

  • Circuit Split Widens: Corporate Liability Under the Alien Tort Statute, For the Defense (Defense Research Institute) (Co-author)

  • Circuit split widens: DC Circuit attacks Kiobel, rules corporations not liable under Alien Tort Statute; Seventh Circuit Rules Same. (DLA Piper Litigation Alert) (Co-author)

  • Supreme Court next? Courts of appeals rule corporations not liable under alien tort, torture victim statutes. (DLA Piper Litigation Alert) (Co-author)

  • Claims of Insurer Bad Faith: A Practical Overview from a Claims-Handling Perspective (Presentation) (DLA Piper)

  • Note, Riba Today: Social Equity, the Economy, and Doing Business Under Islamic Law (Author)