Edward Vergara Joins Seward & Kissel as Co-Head of Trusts & Estates Practice

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Seward & Kissel LLP announced today that Edward Vergara has joined the firm’s New York office as Co-Head of its Trusts & Estates Practice.

Vergara started his legal career at Seward & Kissel and thereafter served as a partner at an AmLaw 100 firm, Head of Tax and Estate at a family office startup, and a partner at a boutique law firm focused on high-end private clients. He advises individuals, fiduciaries, and closely held businesses on a broad range of matters related to tax optimization and succession planning. His client base includes founders, executives, fund principals, and other investors and business leaders.

“I am pleased to co-head the Trusts & Estates Practice alongside Ed,” said Kristen Curatolo, Co-Head of Seward & Kissel’s Trusts & Estates Practice and Co-Leader of the Private Wealth and Family Office Team. “Ed has over two decades of experience advising cross-border individuals and families. His expertise will greatly expand our capabilities and immediately add value to our clients.”

Vergara focuses his practice on advising cross-border families and businesses. He often works with taxpayers managing changes of residency, including not only pre-immigration and expatriation planning for the United States, but also changes of residency and domicile between U.S. jurisdictions. Many of his engagements involve coordination with advisors in multiple jurisdictions to help clients manage tax, reporting, and succession issues both in the United States and in the jurisdictions where assets or other stakeholders reside. He often works with fiduciaries and beneficiaries of foreign trusts and foundations managing U.S. tax and reporting considerations.

“Ed’s arrival reinforces our firm’s commitment to delivering top-tier service and expertise to our clients,” said Managing Partner and Chair of the Tax, ERISA, and Trusts & Estates Group, James Cofer. “His leadership and depth of experience will further strengthen our Trusts & Estates Practice.”

“It’s a privilege to be welcomed back to Seward & Kissel and return to the culture of excellence and collegiality where I started my career,” stated Vergara. “The scope of the Trusts & Estates Practice’s work is a perfect complement to my own practice.”

Vergara received his LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. He received his B.A. from New College of Florida.

Vergara’s arrival is the latest in a series of lateral hires by Seward & Kissel. Since 2023, the firm has added Kristen Curatolo, the Co-Head of the firm’s Trusts & Estates Group, from Kirkland & Ellis; David Baron, Head of the Employment Group, from Hogan Lovells; Peter Shea, a partner in the Investment Management Group, from K&L Gates; 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; Daniel Viola, a partner in the Investment Management Group, from Sadis & Goldberg; and Caroline Lee, a partner in the Fund Finance Group, from Dechert LLP.

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, commercial banks, institutional investors and transportation companies. Its practices primarily focus on corporate, M&A, securities, litigation, restructuring/bankruptcy, real estate, regulatory, tax, trusts and estates, employment and ERISA for clients seeking legal expertise in these areas.