Seyfarth Further Bolsters Dynamic Litigation Offerings as Jennifer Serafyn, Assistant US Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, Joins Firm

January 14, 2026 – Seyfarth Shaw LLP has significantly bolstered its continually expanding Litigation department with the addition of Jennifer Serafyn, the first and only chief of the Civil Rights Unit at the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. She will be a partner based in the firm’s Boston office.

At the U.S. Attorney’s Office, where she served for more than 15 years, Serafyn led a talented team and conducted historic investigations, high-profile federal trials, and complex enforcement actions addressing disability rights, housing, education, healthcare regulations, and employment matters, among others. The Civil Rights Unit, under Serafyn’s leadership, was routinely the most productive (cases opened and resolved) in the country.

Serafyn previously spent five years at Seyfarth as an associate before moving to the US Attorney’s Office in 2008. She reconnected with the firm through maintained long-standing relationships and Seyfarth’s Alumni Network.

“Jennifer’s return to Seyfarth represents our strategic investment in the continued growth of the national litigation platform,” said Giovanna (“Gina”) Ferrari, chair of Seyfarth’s Litigation department. “Her significant trial experience and leadership on complex civil rights matters, as well as a deep understanding of federal agencies bring capabilities that align with our expanding high-stakes litigation work. Jennifer is not only an exceptional lawyer but also a collaborative, thoughtful leader whose presence will further elevate our practice.”

Serafyn’s federal practice spans a wide range of sophisticated disputes. She has represented agencies including the FBI, CIA, Department of Homeland Security, the Bureau of Prisons, HUD, and the IRS in constitutional challenges, employment discrimination cases, False Claims Act matters, Federal Tort Claims Act suits, and civil commitments under the Adam Walsh Act. She has first-chaired dozens of federal trials and evidentiary hearings, developed innovative litigation strategies, and managed large, diverse case teams handling sensitive and significant matters.

She also provides valuable private-sector experience from her earlier time at Seyfarth, where she handled complex commercial litigation, trade secrets matters, wage-and-hour class actions, internal investigations, and counseling for Fortune 500 clients and senior executives.

“Jennifer Serafyn is a high-impact hire who brings an impeccable reputation throughout Massachusetts that further enhances our high standing in the Boston legal sector,” said Kristin McGurn, co-managing partner of Seyfarth’s Boston office. “She is the only former federal Civil Rights Unit Chief in private practice in Massachusetts, offering unmatched insight into DOJ priorities and enforcement strategies. Jennifer also brings a unique ability to advise high-profile individuals and executives facing sensitive legal issues. We are excited to add her to our already-deep bench of litigators here in Boston and across the country.”

“I am thrilled to return to Seyfarth where I gained incredibly valuable experience during the early years of my legal career,” said Serafyn. “I maintained friendships with some of the partners during my time away from the firm and am energized by the opportunity to work again with them and their outstanding colleagues in matters of critical importance to our clients after such a rewarding time in government service.”

Outside the courtroom, Serafyn is a respected leader in the civil rights community, a regular DOJ National Advocacy Center instructor, and an active contributor to the Boston legal community through organizations including the Boston Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, and several public-interest programs. She has also taught extensively, including in the First-Year Legal Research and Writing Program and in courses on government lawyering.

Serafyn earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where she was a fellow in the Center for Public Leadership, a JD from Boston University School of Law, and a BA from Boston College.

Seyfarth’s Litigation Department, with more than 160 attorneys, supports clients across a wide range of industries in every facet of dispute resolution and risk management, both in the US and internationally. Seyfarth has earned a formidable reputation for handling complex litigation matters—from pre-dispute strategy through trial and appeal in federal and state courts – as well as providing practical, business-focused counseling to enable clients to navigate and mitigate legal risks.

About Seyfarth Shaw LLP

With approximately 1000 lawyers across 17 offices, Seyfarth Shaw LLP provides advisory, litigation, and transactional legal services to clients worldwide. The firm has gained widespread recognition for its innovative approach to delivering legal services, combining deep industry knowledge with advanced technology and substantive excellence.