Peter Shea Joins Seward & Kissel as Partner in Investment Management Group
Seward & Kissel LLP announced today that Peter Shea has joined the firm’s New York office as a partner in its Investment Management Group. His addition strengthens the firm’s ability to serve investment advisers, registered funds, and broker-dealers by enhancing expertise in complex regulatory and compliance matters.
Extensive Experience in Investment Management
Formerly a partner at K&L Gates, Shea has decades of experience advising a broad range of investment vehicles, including:
- Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
- Exchange-traded commodity pools
- Exchange-traded physically backed commodity products
- Mutual funds, interval funds, and periodic tender offer funds
- Fund of funds, fund of hedge funds, and insurance-dedicated funds
- Alternative strategy and asset products
- Business development companies and hedge funds
Additionally, Shea 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 at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), giving him valuable regulatory insights.
Enhancing Seward & Kissel’s Strength in Regulatory Services
“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 focuses on structuring, designing, forming, and providing ongoing representation for ETFs, investment companies, commodity pools, and private funds. He has extensive experience securing exemptive orders and no-action relief from the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) on behalf of funds, advisers, and industry participants. His expertise in regulatory relief includes obtaining exemptions for ETFs, affiliated transactions, and manager-of-managers arrangements, ensuring the smooth operation of various fund products and their advisers.
Thought Leadership and Industry Engagement
“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.”
Beyond his legal practice, Shea is actively involved in industry organizations, serving as a member of the American Bar Association’s Business Law Section Committee on Federal Regulation of Securities and the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. He is also an alumnus of the Association of Securities and Exchange Commission Alumni. Shea frequently speaks and writes on topics including asset management, investment funds, derivatives, ETFs, and SEC reporting and compliance, further reinforcing his thought leadership in the financial services industry.
Strengthening Seward & Kissel’s Investment Management Group
“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’s legal expertise is complemented by his academic background. He earned his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and his B.A. from the College of William and Mary, equipping him with a strong foundation in financial regulation and compliance.
Seward & Kissel’s Commitment to Growth
Shea’s appointment is the latest in a series of strategic lateral hires 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, head of the Private Clients/Trusts and Estates Group, from Kirkland & Ellis.
- David Baron, a partner in the Employment Group, from Hogan Lovells.
- Daniel Viola, a partner in the Investment Management Group, from Sadis & Goldberg.
This strategic expansion underscores Seward & Kissel’s commitment to strengthening its financial services practice and providing unparalleled expertise to its clients.
