Peter Shea Joins Seward & Kissel’s Investment Management Group as Partner

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Seward & Kissel LLP announced today that Peter Shea has joined the firm’s New York office as a partner in its Investment Management Group.

Formerly a partner at K&L Gates, Shea advises exchange-traded funds (ETFs), exchange-traded commodity pools, exchange-traded physically-backed commodity products, mutual funds, interval funds, periodic tender offer funds, fund of funds, fund of hedge funds, insurance-dedicated funds, alternative strategy and asset products, business development companies and hedge funds. He also represents investment advisers, commodity trading advisers, commodity pool operators, broker-dealers and independent fund directors. Earlier in his career, he served as a staff attorney in the Division of Enforcement of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

“The addition of Peter strengthens our ability to serve investment advisers, registered funds, and broker-dealers,” said Paul Miller, head of Seward & Kissel’s Registered Funds and Regulatory Group. “His decades of experience in navigating complex regulatory issues will make him a tremendous resource for our clients.”

Shea’s practice involves the structuring, design, formation and ongoing representation of ETFs, investment companies, commodity pools and private funds, including registration and exemption from registration of fund share offerings. He has substantial experience obtaining exemptive orders and no-action relief from the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) on behalf of funds, advisers and other industry participants, including exemptive orders and no-action relief for ETFs, affiliated transactions and manager of managers arrangements, and for the successful operation of various fund products and their advisers.

“It’s an honor to join a firm with Seward & Kissel’s established reputation for excellence,” said Shea. “The scope of the Investment Management Group's work strongly aligns with my own practice.”

Shea serves as a member of the American Bar Association’s Business Law Section Committee on Federal Regulation of Securities as well as the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. He is an alumnus of the Association of Securities and Exchange Commission. He speaks and writes frequently on a range of topics including asset management, investment funds, derivatives, ETFs, and SEC reporting and compliance.

“Peter’s arrival marks an important addition to our team and a significant benefit to our clients,” said Patricia Poglinco, co-head of Seward & Kissel’s Investment Management Group. “His vast experience with registered products, particularly ETFs, and his deep understanding across the spectrum of financial services significantly strengthens our capabilities and enhances the value to our team.

Shea received his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and received his B.A. from the College of William and Mary.

His arrival is the latest in a series of lateral hires by Seward & Kissel from Am Law 100 firms. Since 2024, the firm has added Walter Van Dorn, a partner in the Capital Markets and Corporate Securities Group, from Dentons; Ronald Hewitt, a partner in the Global Banking and Corporate Trust Group, from Covington & Burling LLP; Sonita Bennitt, a partner in the Tax Group, from Goodwin Procter; Kristen Curatolo, the head of the firm’s Private Clients/Trusts and Estates Group, from Kirkland & Ellis; David Baron, a partner in the Employment Group, from Hogan Lovells; and Daniel Viola, a partner in the Investment Management Group, from Sadis & Goldberg.

About Seward & Kissel LLP

Seward & Kissel LLP, founded in 1890, is a leading U.S. law firm with offices in New York City and Washington, D.C., with particular expertise in the financial services, investment management, banking, and shipping industries. The firm is well known for its representation of investment advisers and related investment funds, broker-dealers, major commercial banks, institutional investors, and transportation companies (particularly in the shipping area). Its practices primarily focus on corporate, M&A, securities, litigation (including white collar), restructuring/bankruptcy, real estate, regulatory, tax, employment, and ERISA for clients seeking legal expertise in these areas.