Seward & Kissel

Seward & Kissel Appoints Kevin Neubauer as Co-Head of the Firm’s Investment Management Group

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 4, 2024

Seward & Kissel is pleased to announce that Kevin Neubauer has been named co-head of the firm’s Investment Management Group, effective March 1.

Key Points: 
  • Seward & Kissel is pleased to announce that Kevin Neubauer has been named co-head of the firm’s Investment Management Group, effective March 1.
  • He succeeds Robert Van Grover , who served in the role for more than 10 years and will remain an active partner in the Investment Management Group.
  • “Kevin has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to be an effective leader, both with respect to client matters and strategic firm initiatives,” said Seward & Kissel managing partner Jim Cofer .
  • Neubauer, who was elevated to partner at Seward & Kissel in 2020, originally joined the firm in 2009.

Sonita Bennitt Joins Seward & Kissel’s Tax Group

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Seward & Kissel LLP announced today that Sonita M. Bennitt , former counsel with Goodwin Procter LLP, has joined the firm’s New York office as a partner in the Tax Group .

Key Points: 
  • Seward & Kissel LLP announced today that Sonita M. Bennitt , former counsel with Goodwin Procter LLP, has joined the firm’s New York office as a partner in the Tax Group .
  • She also advised clients on tax aspects of real estate joint ventures and real estate investment trusts.
  • “Sonita’s wealth of experience makes her a valuable addition to our firm and the Tax Group,” said Jim Cofer , managing partner of Seward & Kissel and a partner in the firm’s Tax Group.
  • “Her deep background in private fund formation and structuring makes her an ideal fit with our Tax Group and the broader work of the firm.”
    Prior to Goodwin Procter, Bennitt practiced as a tax associate at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP.

Seward & Kissel Adds Former Chief Marketing Officer From Shearman & Sterling

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Seward & Kissel LLP announced today that Nora Shearer , the former chief marketing officer at Shearman & Sterling, has become Seward & Kissel’s chief marketing and business development officer, effective immediately.

Key Points: 
  • Seward & Kissel LLP announced today that Nora Shearer , the former chief marketing officer at Shearman & Sterling, has become Seward & Kissel’s chief marketing and business development officer, effective immediately.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240214675950/en/
    Seward & Kissel Adds Nora Shearer as Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer (Photo: Business Wire)
    “Nora has a proven ability to connect premier law firms with their most important audiences,” said Jim Cofer , managing partner of Seward & Kissel.
  • Most recently, she served as the chief business development and marketing officer at Nardello & Co., the global investigations and business intelligence firm.
  • Notaro previously served at other elite firms, including Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, before joining as Seward & Kissel’s first chief operating officer.

Seward & Kissel Promotes Seven Lawyers to Partner

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 21, 2023

“While these lawyers each bring unique gifts to our firm, they are all alike in delivering tremendous value to the clients they counsel,” said Seward & Kissel managing partner Jim Cofer .

Key Points: 
  • “While these lawyers each bring unique gifts to our firm, they are all alike in delivering tremendous value to the clients they counsel,” said Seward & Kissel managing partner Jim Cofer .
  • This year he co-authored the influential Seward & Kissel New Manager Hedge Fund Study , an analysis of trends among newly formed hedge funds.
  • Cassidy writes frequently on topics of interest to investment advisers and, with Baroody, co-authored this year’s Seward & Kissel New Manager Hedge Fund Study.
  • Her work was also cited by Legal 500 in its ranking of Seward & Kissel for excellence in investment fund formation and management for private equity and venture capital funds.

World Renowned Banking and Financial Restructuring Team Joins Greenberg Traurig

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 18, 2023

NEW YORK, Dec. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Leading banking, finance, and restructuring lawyer Kalyan "Kal" Das joined Greenberg Traurig, LLP along with Sharan Calay and Andrew Silverstein. They join from Seward & Kissel, where Das has spent over three decades and was head of its Global Bank and Institutional Finance & Restructuring Practice. He will be based in the New York, London, and Bridgehampton offices. Calay and Silverstein, also previously at Seward & Kissel for more than two decades, will be based in New York. They join as shareholders.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Dec. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Leading banking, finance, and restructuring lawyer Kalyan "Kal" Das joined Greenberg Traurig, LLP along with Sharan Calay and Andrew Silverstein .
  • They join from Seward & Kissel, where Das has spent over three decades and was head of its Global Bank and Institutional Finance & Restructuring Practice.
  • We have known the lawyers at Greenberg Traurig for quite some time and our clients will benefit by working with the talented global team, leveraging the firm's resources around the world," Das said.
  • She represents clients from various industries such as banks, financial institutions, and businesses in both domestic and cross-border financing transactions.

Side Letter Study by Seward & Kissel LLP Shows Flight to Mature Hedge Funds

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 17, 2023

The authors of Seward & Kissel’s eighth annual Hedge Fund Side Letter Study attribute the large and growing disparity between the share of side letters issued by mature and new managers in part to the challenging fundraising environment facing newer funds.

Key Points: 
  • The authors of Seward & Kissel’s eighth annual Hedge Fund Side Letter Study attribute the large and growing disparity between the share of side letters issued by mature and new managers in part to the challenging fundraising environment facing newer funds.
  • The Seward & Kissel 2022/23 Hedge Fund Side Letter Study, released today, shows that 84% of side letters—special agreements between hedge funds and their investors—were signed with mature managers, defined in the study as those in business for two or more years.
  • “Our eighth Side Letter Study has again unearthed valuable insights into the continued evolution of hedge funds and their investors,” said Kevin Neubauer , partner at Seward & Kissel and lead author of the study.
  • “The Seward & Kissel 2022/23 Hedge Fund Side Letter Study demonstrates strategic choices being made by hedge fund managers and their investor base alike.”

Amanda K. Brown Joins Seward & Kissel’s Maritime and Transportation Group

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 12, 2023

Seward & Kissel LLP announced today that Amanda K. Brown has joined the firm’s New York office as special counsel in the Maritime and Transportation Group.

Key Points: 
  • Seward & Kissel LLP announced today that Amanda K. Brown has joined the firm’s New York office as special counsel in the Maritime and Transportation Group.
  • “Amanda has a wealth of experience and a rich understanding of maritime and transportation law, especially as it relates to complex financing transactions,” said Seward & Kissel managing partner Jim Cofer .
  • “We’re excited by her return to our firm and the skills she brings to our Maritime and Transportation practice.”
    Brown began her career at Seward & Kissel, where she was an associate from 2006 to 2014.
  • “Amanda is a valuable addition to Seward & Kissel’s maritime and transportation practice,” said Seward & Kissel partner Michael Timpone , head of the firm’s Transportation Finance Group.

Seward & Kissel Appoints Russell Johnston Co-Head of Litigation Group and Michael Watling Co-Head of Government Enforcement and Internal Investigations Group

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 20, 2023

The Firm has also named partner Michael Watling , a former federal prosecutor in the U.S. Department of Justice and former senior litigation counsel at FINRA, co-head of the firm’s Government Enforcement and Internal Investigations Group, joining partner Jaimie Nawaday in that role.

Key Points: 
  • The Firm has also named partner Michael Watling , a former federal prosecutor in the U.S. Department of Justice and former senior litigation counsel at FINRA, co-head of the firm’s Government Enforcement and Internal Investigations Group, joining partner Jaimie Nawaday in that role.
  • The duo, who served together at FINRA for seven years before entering private practice, joined Seward & Kissel in November 2022.
  • “Russell and Michael are trusted, steadfast leaders, admired not only by their clients but by members of our firm,” said Seward & Kissel managing partner Jim Cofer .
  • Paulsen , co-head of Seward & Kissel’s Litigation Group, noted: “Russell has been at the forefront of significant, complex, and highly sensitive matters.

Sean Thorsen Joins Seward & Kissel’s Real Estate Group

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 23, 2023

“His experience with real estate finance adds another valuable layer of depth to the spectrum of services offered by our Real Estate Group.”

Key Points: 
  • “His experience with real estate finance adds another valuable layer of depth to the spectrum of services offered by our Real Estate Group.”
    Throughout his 15-year career, Thorsen has advised financial institutions, private lenders, and borrowers on commercial real estate financing matters.
  • Before joining Seward & Kissel, Thorsen practiced with a real estate finance group at both DLA Piper LLP and McDermott Will & Emery LLP.
  • “We are delighted that Sean has brought his wide-ranging experience in real estate finance to Seward & Kissel,” said Rhona Kisch , partner and head of Seward & Kissel’s Real Estate Group.
  • “His ability to assist private lenders and other financial institutions with financing issues provides a valuable complement to our group’s broader work on real estate acquisitions, workouts, investments in private equity real estate funds, and other matters.”
    “For years, I have admired Seward & Kissel’s sophisticated work in a wide range of real estate and real estate related transactions,” added Thorsen.

Daniel Viola Joins Seward & Kissel’s Investment Management Group as Head of SKRC

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Seward & Kissel LLP announced today that Daniel G. Viola has joined the firm’s New York office as a partner in the Investment Management Group to act as Head of the firm’s innovative regulatory platform, SKRC.

Key Points: 
  • Seward & Kissel LLP announced today that Daniel G. Viola has joined the firm’s New York office as a partner in the Investment Management Group to act as Head of the firm’s innovative regulatory platform, SKRC.
  • “Daniel brings decades of experience advising investment advisers, their funds, and broker-dealers with respect to regulatory matters,” said Seward & Kissel managing partner Jim Cofer .
  • “We are delighted that Daniel is joining us to lead SKRC,” said Pat Poglinco and Rob Van Grover , co-heads of Seward & Kissel’s Investment Management Group.
  • Viola regularly speaks on Blockchain and current regulatory issues impacting the investment management industry.