Department profile
Seward & Kissel LLP

Private Wealth Law

High Net Worth Guide 2026 : New York


Seward & Kissel LLP

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Private Wealth Law - New York

Band 5

Band 5


What the Team is Known For

Seward & Kissel advises high net worth individuals on domestic and cross-border estate planning and trust administration. The team also assists with business succession and wealth transfer, charitable giving and family office creation.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • All matters that we have sent to Seward & Kissel were handled in a highly professional and capable way.

    Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Seward & Kissel's private wealth law team stand out for their exceptional technical expertise combined with a truly personalised approach to client service. Their depth of knowledge in complex trust and estate planning, tax strategy and multi-jurisdictional structuring is complemented by a clear ability to translate sophisticated legal and financial concepts into actionable, well-organised plans tailored to individual family goals.

    Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • The Seward & Kissel team are highly responsive and provide the highest level of service. They are a true pleasure to work with.

    Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 4Kristen Curatolo
    Band 4Kristen Curatolo

    Kristen Curatolo

    Kristen Curatolo represents high net worth individuals and private equity principals in trust and estate matters, including estate planning and wealth transfers.

    • Kristen Curatolo consistently brings clarity, precision and thoughtful strategy to some of the most complex and challenging matters I manage within my role, and her support has been invaluable.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Kristen is highly responsive, detail-oriented and proactive. She consistently went above and beyond to ensure every document and structure was properly aligned and fully understood. Her ability to communicate sophisticated concepts clearly and practically distinguishes her from peers and makes her an invaluable adviser in private wealth law.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Kristen is a fantastic lawyer and a joy to work with.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Kristen Curatolo is one of the most impressive attorneys that I have worked with in my career. She is reliable, professional and extremely capable. Clients and colleagues leave every interaction with Kristen deeply impressed.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 5David E. Stutzman
    Band 5David E. Stutzman

    David E. Stutzman

    David Stutzman has over 30 years of experience advising on complex and high-value estate, trust and charitable planning. He often advises artists and those with large art collections.

    • David is a terrific advocate for his clients.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • David immediately puts clients at ease and I appreciate his experience, especially around art law.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • David Stutzman is very talented and technically proficient.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 5Edward Vergara
    Band 5Edward Vergara

    Edward Vergara

    Edward Vergara co-heads Seward & Kissel's trusts and estates practice. Vergara advises individuals and fiduciaries on tax, wealth and succession planning.

    • Edward Vergara has the ability to make the complicated feel simple. He has a wonderful manner with clients, and is technically expert and a great communicator. He's a fantastic person to bring in.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Edward has been always a pleasure to work with: smart, sophisticated and able to deliver extraordinary value to his clients.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

Ranked Individuals at Seward & Kissel LLP (3)

New York

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