WSGR logoWSGR logo
Seth Cowell
Of Counsel
National Security and Trade
Washington, D.C.

D202-791-8015

Download vCard
Open PDF

Seth Cowell is Of Counsel in the Washington, D.C., office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where he counsels and represents domestic and foreign entities in national security-related areas, including matters before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). He also counsels clients on matters relating to federal government contracting under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and other laws and regulations concerning domestic and international business.

After graduating from law school, Seth was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force (USAF) as a member of the USAF Judge Advocate General’s Corps. His last active duty assignment was at the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom Air Force Base, where he served as government contracts counsel to small research and development (Small Business Innovation Research, or SBIR) programs and several multibillion-dollar programs.

After separating from active duty, Seth continued to advise on government contracts, fraud, and ethics as an Air Force civilian at Hanscom. He then took a position as the senior civilian legal advisor to a Department of Defense (DoD) organization tasked with supporting the USS Cole and 9/11 trials, as well as counter-threat finance. In 2015, Seth joined the National Security Division (NSD) of the Department of Justice (DOJ) as an operations attorney, where he prepared and presented applications under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

Experience

Seth Cowell is Of Counsel in the Washington, D.C., office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where he counsels and represents domestic and foreign entities in national security-related areas, including matters before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). He also counsels clients on matters relating to federal government contracting under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and other laws and regulations concerning domestic and international business.

After graduating from law school, Seth was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force (USAF) as a member of the USAF Judge Advocate General’s Corps. His last active duty assignment was at the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom Air Force Base, where he served as government contracts counsel to small research and development (Small Business Innovation Research, or SBIR) programs and several multibillion-dollar programs.

After separating from active duty, Seth continued to advise on government contracts, fraud, and ethics as an Air Force civilian at Hanscom. He then took a position as the senior civilian legal advisor to a Department of Defense (DoD) organization tasked with supporting the USS Cole and 9/11 trials, as well as counter-threat finance. In 2015, Seth joined the National Security Division (NSD) of the Department of Justice (DOJ) as an operations attorney, where he prepared and presented applications under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

Focus Areas
Recent Insights
Client Highlights
Firm Advises Marvell on $115 Billion Acquisition of Lumentum
On November 2, 2026, Marvell Technology, a leader in data infrastructure semiconductor solutions, announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Lumentum, a global leader in optical and photonic technologies that power the networks and infrastructure behind artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and next-generation communications, in an all-stock transaction. Under the terms of the agreement, Lumentum stockholders will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 4.500 shares of Marvell common stock for each share of Lumentum common stock they own. The transaction has an implied enterprise value of $115 billion for Lumentum, representing approximately $1,132 per share of Lumentum common stock and a premium of approximately 23.9 percent based on each company’s unaffected closing share price as of October 28, 2026. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is advising Marvell on the transaction.
Learn More
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises GT Metabolic on Series C Growth Investment
On October 28, 2026, GT Metabolic™ Solutions, a pioneer in the medical device field and the first to receive FDA De Novo grant and 510(k) clearance for use of magnetic technology to create compression anastomoses (connections between two tubular structures in the body, such as intestines), announced a Series C growth investment from J.P. Morgan Life Sciences Private Capital. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised GT Metabolic on the transaction.
Learn More
View All
Recent Events
Speaking Engagements
2026 ABA Business Law Spring Meeting
Join Wilson Sonsini partners Michelle Yost Hale and Matthew McDonald, and Of Counsel Seth Cowell, at the 2026 Business Law Spring Meeting, April 16–18 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Learn More
WSGR Events
Navigating National Security Risks in Life Sciences
As geopolitical concerns create hurdles for cross-border collaboration in biotechnology and life sciences, maintaining visibility into evolving national security and trade requirements is critical for effective global partnering. Wilson Sonsini’s National Security and Trade team invites you to join a webinar exploring recent national security and trade law developments affecting life sciences companies, including how companies are navigating the resulting challenges.
Learn More
View All
WSGR logo
Copyright © 2026 Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. All Rights Reserved.