Sullivan
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Biography

Truman's practice is focused in the areas of cross-border asset financing, banking, structured finance and insolvency. He has represented lessees, lenders, developers, owners, underwriters and equity investors in infrastructure transactions. He also represents developers and investment banks in transactions involving alternate energy sources, such as solar and renewable natural gas facilities. In addition, Truman has represented major banks, domestic and foreign corporations, investment banks, and domestic and foreign lenders in a broad spectrum of financial transactions. He is working with international bar groups to create a common understanding of legal issues, and the resolution thereof, in cross-border financings.

Education
  • Harvard Law School (LL.B.)
  • Yale University (B.A.)
Bar & Court Admissions
  • New York
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Professional Qualifications
  • Founding Member, Tri-Bar Opinion Committee
  • Assistant Editor, The Business Lawyer, 1999-2001
  • General Counsel, Berkeley Divinity School
  • Fellow, American Bar Association
Awards & Honors
  • Best Lawyers in America® (2012-2026)
  • Thomson Reuters "Stand-Out Lawyer" (2025-2026)
  • New York Super Lawyers (2007-2024)
  • The Legal 500 U.S. (2018)
Community Engagement
  • Trustee, Church Club of New York
  • Board of Directors, Metropolitan Opera Club
Languages
  • French
Viewpoints
All Viewpoints
Identify and Report “Control” Investors: The Corporate Transparency Act of 2020
We write to advise you of important legislation just enacted in the United States and proposed legislation in the United Kingdom. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA) was recently passed by both houses of Congress and is in effect following a January 1, 2021 Congressional override of President Trump’s veto. The National Security and Investment Bill (NSIB), which has goals similar to CFIUS, is wending its way slowly and painfully through the legislative process in London. Turning to the domestic front first, buried within some 1,500 pages of the NDAA is the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 (AMLA) and buried within the AMLA is the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). The AMLA represents a giant overhaul of the country’s legislation on money laundering. Within that broad initiative, the CTA targets the use of shell companies not just to facilitate money laundering, but even to make investments in the United States by persons who are, or whose interests are considered to be, adverse to those of the United States. The CTA is the culmination of almost a decade-long effort by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to crack down on shell companies. Cited as "the most significant anti-money laundering reform since 2001" by Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, the law provides federal oversight in an otherwise unregulated area. The CTA directs FinCEN to establish and maintain a national registry of beneficial ownership. This registry will not be available to the general public, although that information may be made available to federal agencies for national security, intelligence or law enforcement purposes, to law enforcement agencies upon court authorization, and, with customer consent (which likely will be demanded), to financial institutions to the extent necessary to fulfill their know-your-customer obligations. The CTA requires certain types of legal entities in the United States—stated in the act as "a corporation, limited liability company, or other similar entity"—to report their beneficial owners to FinCEN. However, there are many exceptions to the obligation to file reports, including exemptions for publicly held companies and many types of financial entities. The legislation is focused on small entities which are not otherwise required to report their ownership. A beneficial owner is defined as an individual who, directly or indirectly, "exercises substantial control over an entity or owns more than twenty-five percent of the entity." Pending clarifying regulations, contractual “control” may suffice. The report must be kept current and updated to reflect any change in substantial control ownership. Entities will need to report a beneficial owner’s name, address and date of birth and to provide a copy of driver’s license or other government identification. If an entity’s beneficial owner is another entity, as opposed to a natural person, it will have to report similar details about its ownership.  Accordingly, laddering entities will likely not avoid compliance. A number of questions have arisen during our preliminary review of the legislation, including the scope of various exceptions and reporting requirements. Implementing regulations, which may bring some clarity to these questions, are required to be finalized within one year. What is clear, however, is that the enactment of the CTA will necessitate process changes in many areas including transactional diligence and documentation, confidentiality undertakings, transfers of interest and ongoing compliance for entities required to report under the CTA. The firm has a task force, consisting of lawyers in our Boston, London and New York offices, responsible for advising clients on the CTA, the NSIB and its U.S. cousin, CFIUS, as well as other laws rules and regulations relating to potentially sensitive investments in, and disclosure of beneficial ownership of, United States and United Kingdom entities. As the CTA and the NSIB wend their way through their respective administrative and legislative processes, we will keep you apprised of developments. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Harvey Bines (617-338-2828) or Truman Bidwell (212-660-3032) on U.S. matters and Mark Norris (+44 20 7448 1003) on U.K. matters.
Sullivan & Worcester Attorneys Recognized as Thomson Reuters Stand-Out Lawyers for 2026
Sullivan & Worcester is proud to announce that five of our attorneys have been named Thomson Reuters "Stand-Out Lawyers" for 2026. This recognition is based on direct nominations from senior legal buyers worldwide who identify the lawyers that have made a lasting impact through their exceptional service, expertise and client commitment. Lawyers are recognized for their ability to enhance client satisfaction, increase client advocacy, expand market share, foster engagement and contribute to overall profitability. The following Sullivan attorneys have been recognized: Douglas S. Stransky Geoffrey Wynne Gerry Silver Natalie S. Lederman Truman Bidwell
44 Sullivan & Worcester Lawyers Named as “Best Lawyers” Award Recipients
Boston MA – Sullivan & Worcester today announced that 44 lawyers were recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America®. Three Sullivan partners also earned the 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” recognition from The Best Lawyers in America®. 39 of the firm’s lawyers in Boston, New York and Washington, D.C. were named as “Best Lawyers in America®,” and five Sullivan lawyers were recognized as “Ones to Watch” in the U.S. Lawyers of the Year David Nagle, managing partner of Sullivan, Amy Sheridan, and Lewis Segall were selected as "Lawyer of the Year" in Boston for Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, and Mergers and Acquisitions Law, respectively. Only one lawyer is recognized as a "Lawyer of the Year" in each practice area and geographic location. These individuals are notable for receiving significantly higher ratings in Best Lawyers’ rigorous assessment process among the thousands of leading lawyers peer-reviewed in their markets. Best Lawyers in America® The firm’s 2026 Best Lawyers in Boston include Victor Baltera (Real Estate Law); Howard Berkenblit (Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law); Harvey Bines (Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law); Ashley Brooks (Real Estate Law); Joel Carpenter (Tax Law); Henry Comstock Jr. (Trusts and Estates); Christopher Curtis (Tax Law); Patrick Dinardo (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy); John Graham (Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law); Ira Gross (Commercial Litigation); David Guadagnoli (Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Tax Law); Warren Heilbronner (Real Estate Law); Zachary Hyde (Patent Law); Richard Jones (Tax Law); Karen Kepler (Real Estate Law), Caroline Kupiec (Tax Law); Thomas Meyers (Patent Law); Lisa Mingolla (Trusts and Estates); Louis Monti (Real Estate Law); Cornelius Murray III (Trusts and Estates); David Nagle (Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law); Nicholas O'Donnell (Commercial Litigation); Ameek Ashok Ponda (Tax Law); Gregory Sampson (Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law); Lewis Segall (Mergers and Acquisitions Law); Amy Sheridan (Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law); Laura Steinberg (Commercial Litigation); Sarah Wellings (Tax Law) and Amy Zuccarello (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy). Sullivan’s 2026 Best Lawyers in Washington, D.C. include John Chilton (Mutual Funds); Cameron Cosby (Tax); Nicole Crum (Mutual Funds); David Leahy (Mutual Funds); David Mahaffey (Mutual Funds & Securities Regulation); and Stephanie Monaco (Corporate, Mutual Funds, Private Funds / Hedge Funds, & Securities Regulation). The firm’s 2026 honorees in New York include Carole Bass (Trusts and Estates); J. Truman Bidwell, Jr. (Corporate); Domenick Pugliese (Mutual Funds); and Constantine Ralli (Trusts and Estates). Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch Awardees Best Lawyers awards this recognition to attorneys who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. Sullivan’s five lawyers earning this award include Alexander Gansebom (Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, Corporate Law, Health Care Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Real Estate Law); Emily Goldschmidt (Corporate Law); Ryan Rosenblatt (Commercial Litigation); Ashley Tan (Real Estate Law); and Eric Victorson (Securities / Capital Markets Law). Best Lawyers Selection Methodology Recognition by Best Lawyers in America® is based on a peer review process designed to capture the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical and legal practice areas. About Sullivan Sullivan & Worcester (Sullivan) is a global, mid-sized law firm with lawyers in Boston, London, New York, Tel Aviv and Washington, D.C. Sullivan’s clients, including Fortune 500 companies, leading financial services firms and asset managers, boards of directors, real estate companies, and emerging businesses, rely on Sullivan’s ability to navigate complex legal and operational landscapes, the impeccable judgment of its lawyers, and its commitment to best‑in‑class client service.

J. Truman Bidwell, Jr

Truman's practice is focused in the areas of cross-border asset financing, banking, structured finance and insolvency. He has represented lessees, lenders, developers, owners, underwriters and equity investors in infrastructure transactions. He also represents developers and investment banks in transactions involving alternate energy sources, such as solar and renewable natural gas facilities. In addition, Truman has represented major banks, domestic and foreign corporations, investment banks, and domestic and foreign lenders in a broad spectrum of financial transactions. He is working with international bar groups to create a common understanding of legal issues, and the resolution thereof, in cross-border financings.

Viewpoints
All Viewpoints
Identify and Report “Control” Investors: The Corporate Transparency Act of 2020
We write to advise you of important legislation just enacted in the United States and proposed legislation in the United Kingdom. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA) was recently passed by both houses of Congress and is in effect following a January 1, 2021 Congressional override of President Trump’s veto. The National Security and Investment Bill (NSIB), which has goals similar to CFIUS, is wending its way slowly and painfully through the legislative process in London. Turning to the domestic front first, buried within some 1,500 pages of the NDAA is the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 (AMLA) and buried within the AMLA is the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). The AMLA represents a giant overhaul of the country’s legislation on money laundering. Within that broad initiative, the CTA targets the use of shell companies not just to facilitate money laundering, but even to make investments in the United States by persons who are, or whose interests are considered to be, adverse to those of the United States. The CTA is the culmination of almost a decade-long effort by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to crack down on shell companies. Cited as "the most significant anti-money laundering reform since 2001" by Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, the law provides federal oversight in an otherwise unregulated area. The CTA directs FinCEN to establish and maintain a national registry of beneficial ownership. This registry will not be available to the general public, although that information may be made available to federal agencies for national security, intelligence or law enforcement purposes, to law enforcement agencies upon court authorization, and, with customer consent (which likely will be demanded), to financial institutions to the extent necessary to fulfill their know-your-customer obligations. The CTA requires certain types of legal entities in the United States—stated in the act as "a corporation, limited liability company, or other similar entity"—to report their beneficial owners to FinCEN. However, there are many exceptions to the obligation to file reports, including exemptions for publicly held companies and many types of financial entities. The legislation is focused on small entities which are not otherwise required to report their ownership. A beneficial owner is defined as an individual who, directly or indirectly, "exercises substantial control over an entity or owns more than twenty-five percent of the entity." Pending clarifying regulations, contractual “control” may suffice. The report must be kept current and updated to reflect any change in substantial control ownership. Entities will need to report a beneficial owner’s name, address and date of birth and to provide a copy of driver’s license or other government identification. If an entity’s beneficial owner is another entity, as opposed to a natural person, it will have to report similar details about its ownership.  Accordingly, laddering entities will likely not avoid compliance. A number of questions have arisen during our preliminary review of the legislation, including the scope of various exceptions and reporting requirements. Implementing regulations, which may bring some clarity to these questions, are required to be finalized within one year. What is clear, however, is that the enactment of the CTA will necessitate process changes in many areas including transactional diligence and documentation, confidentiality undertakings, transfers of interest and ongoing compliance for entities required to report under the CTA. The firm has a task force, consisting of lawyers in our Boston, London and New York offices, responsible for advising clients on the CTA, the NSIB and its U.S. cousin, CFIUS, as well as other laws rules and regulations relating to potentially sensitive investments in, and disclosure of beneficial ownership of, United States and United Kingdom entities. As the CTA and the NSIB wend their way through their respective administrative and legislative processes, we will keep you apprised of developments. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Harvey Bines (617-338-2828) or Truman Bidwell (212-660-3032) on U.S. matters and Mark Norris (+44 20 7448 1003) on U.K. matters.
Sullivan & Worcester Attorneys Recognized as Thomson Reuters Stand-Out Lawyers for 2026
Sullivan & Worcester is proud to announce that five of our attorneys have been named Thomson Reuters "Stand-Out Lawyers" for 2026. This recognition is based on direct nominations from senior legal buyers worldwide who identify the lawyers that have made a lasting impact through their exceptional service, expertise and client commitment. Lawyers are recognized for their ability to enhance client satisfaction, increase client advocacy, expand market share, foster engagement and contribute to overall profitability. The following Sullivan attorneys have been recognized: Douglas S. Stransky Geoffrey Wynne Gerry Silver Natalie S. Lederman Truman Bidwell
44 Sullivan & Worcester Lawyers Named as “Best Lawyers” Award Recipients
Boston MA – Sullivan & Worcester today announced that 44 lawyers were recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America®. Three Sullivan partners also earned the 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” recognition from The Best Lawyers in America®. 39 of the firm’s lawyers in Boston, New York and Washington, D.C. were named as “Best Lawyers in America®,” and five Sullivan lawyers were recognized as “Ones to Watch” in the U.S. Lawyers of the Year David Nagle, managing partner of Sullivan, Amy Sheridan, and Lewis Segall were selected as "Lawyer of the Year" in Boston for Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, and Mergers and Acquisitions Law, respectively. Only one lawyer is recognized as a "Lawyer of the Year" in each practice area and geographic location. These individuals are notable for receiving significantly higher ratings in Best Lawyers’ rigorous assessment process among the thousands of leading lawyers peer-reviewed in their markets. Best Lawyers in America® The firm’s 2026 Best Lawyers in Boston include Victor Baltera (Real Estate Law); Howard Berkenblit (Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law); Harvey Bines (Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law); Ashley Brooks (Real Estate Law); Joel Carpenter (Tax Law); Henry Comstock Jr. (Trusts and Estates); Christopher Curtis (Tax Law); Patrick Dinardo (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy); John Graham (Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law); Ira Gross (Commercial Litigation); David Guadagnoli (Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Tax Law); Warren Heilbronner (Real Estate Law); Zachary Hyde (Patent Law); Richard Jones (Tax Law); Karen Kepler (Real Estate Law), Caroline Kupiec (Tax Law); Thomas Meyers (Patent Law); Lisa Mingolla (Trusts and Estates); Louis Monti (Real Estate Law); Cornelius Murray III (Trusts and Estates); David Nagle (Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law); Nicholas O'Donnell (Commercial Litigation); Ameek Ashok Ponda (Tax Law); Gregory Sampson (Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law); Lewis Segall (Mergers and Acquisitions Law); Amy Sheridan (Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law); Laura Steinberg (Commercial Litigation); Sarah Wellings (Tax Law) and Amy Zuccarello (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy). Sullivan’s 2026 Best Lawyers in Washington, D.C. include John Chilton (Mutual Funds); Cameron Cosby (Tax); Nicole Crum (Mutual Funds); David Leahy (Mutual Funds); David Mahaffey (Mutual Funds & Securities Regulation); and Stephanie Monaco (Corporate, Mutual Funds, Private Funds / Hedge Funds, & Securities Regulation). The firm’s 2026 honorees in New York include Carole Bass (Trusts and Estates); J. Truman Bidwell, Jr. (Corporate); Domenick Pugliese (Mutual Funds); and Constantine Ralli (Trusts and Estates). Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch Awardees Best Lawyers awards this recognition to attorneys who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. Sullivan’s five lawyers earning this award include Alexander Gansebom (Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, Corporate Law, Health Care Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Real Estate Law); Emily Goldschmidt (Corporate Law); Ryan Rosenblatt (Commercial Litigation); Ashley Tan (Real Estate Law); and Eric Victorson (Securities / Capital Markets Law). Best Lawyers Selection Methodology Recognition by Best Lawyers in America® is based on a peer review process designed to capture the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical and legal practice areas. About Sullivan Sullivan & Worcester (Sullivan) is a global, mid-sized law firm with lawyers in Boston, London, New York, Tel Aviv and Washington, D.C. Sullivan’s clients, including Fortune 500 companies, leading financial services firms and asset managers, boards of directors, real estate companies, and emerging businesses, rely on Sullivan’s ability to navigate complex legal and operational landscapes, the impeccable judgment of its lawyers, and its commitment to best‑in‑class client service.

J. Truman Bidwell, Jr