Seward & Kissel Expands Investment Management Group with Counsel Alexandra Alberstadt

November 30, 2021

Seward & Kissel LLP announced today that Alexandra Alberstadt has joined the Firm as counsel in the Investment Management Group. Alberstadt will work closely with the Firm’s registered fund and mutual fund clients and will be based in the New York office.

Alberstadt is well-versed in the Investment Company Act and Investment Advisers Act. Her practice focuses on the formation and regulation of registered investment companies, including mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, and business development companies. She also has extensive experience working with registered investment advisers on a host of regulatory matters affecting their business and on matters in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space.

“We are excited to welcome Alex to our team. She is an exceptional lawyer with a wealth of experience counseling investment companies. Her experience representing investment advisers on complex legal issues further reinforces our position as a leading legal adviser to the industry,” said Pat Poglinco and Robert Van Grover, co-heads of Seward & Kissel’s Investment Management Group.

Alberstadt pioneered the first mutual fund to ETF conversions, a major milestone, which closed in March 2021 after an 18-month process with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“With an ever-growing ETF practice, Alex’s experience better positions us to strengthen our existing client relationships and continue to expand the practice with respect to the critical legal, regulatory, and compliance issues our clients face. She’s a fantastic addition to our team, and we look forward to continuing to be at the forefront of the legal and regulatory issues affecting the industry,” said Paul Miller, partner in the Investment Management Group and head of the Firm’s Registered Funds Practice.

Alberstadt’s experience also includes assisting transfer agents, brokers, dealers, and operating and technology companies with organizational, governance, offering matters, and material contracts, as well as representing leading organizations and boards of directors on corporate governance, state and federal regulatory matters, compliance, and operational and business issues.

“Seward & Kissel has a stellar reputation and boasts one of the most talented teams in the investment management industry,” noted Alberstadt. “I am looking forward to leveraging my experience with ETFs, open and closed-end funds, and BDCs to expand our offerings and ensure that our clients continue to receive informed, practical, and effective legal and business advice so they may also remain leaders in their respective industries.”

Alberstadt received her LL.M. from New York University School of Law and her J.D., summa cum laude, from Michigan State University School of Law. She also holds a B.A. from St. John’s College. Alberstadt previously served as a law clerk to the Hon. Charles L. Levin of the Michigan Supreme Court. She comes to Seward & Kissel from Practus, LLP, where she was a partner. Prior to joining Practus, she was a partner in the investment management group at an Am Law 50 firm and a member of the senior leadership team for a blockchain industry group.