Biography
David E. Stutzman is a partner in the Private Client Group at Seward & Kissel LLP.
For more than 30 years, he has advised high‑net‑worth individuals and families on complex estate, trust, charitable, and tax planning and administration.
David represents hedge fund and private equity fund managers, executives and professionals, family business and real estate owners, art collectors, artists, musicians, sports figures, and inheritors. He guides clients through estate, gift, and generation‑skipping transfer (GST) tax planning using sophisticated techniques, including private trust companies and family office structures, multigenerational trusts, and the use of limited liability companies and partnerships.
David also advises clients on philanthropic planning, including charitable split‑interest trusts and private foundations, pre‑ and post‑marital planning, cross‑border estate and transfer tax matters, and trust and estate administration. He has extensive experience representing clients in IRS and state estate and gift tax audits and in proceedings before the New York Surrogate’s Court and the Connecticut Probate Court.
David is a Trustee of the Preservation League of New York State and serves as Treasurer of the Board. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of The Historic House Trust of New York City and is a longtime member of the Professional Advisory Council of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Professional Memberships: Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) Tax Committee of the New York State Bar Association Trusts and Estates Law Section TEP Member, STEP (formerly Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners) Member, Estate Planning Council of New York City.
Capabilities
Areas of Focus
Credentials
Education
University of Virginia School of Law
- J.D.
University of Virginia
- B.A. (with distinction)
Bar Admissions
- New York
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- United States Tax Court
Recognitions
- Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC)
- Private Clients/Trusts and Estates Group has been ranked in Chambers and Partners’ High Net Worth 2025 guide in Private Wealth Law. David received an individual ranking for his outstanding work in Private Wealth Law.
- From Chambers:David E. Stutzman: With over 30 years of experience, David advises on complex estate, trust, and charitable planning, often for artists and collectors.
He is praised for being: “Empathetic, relatable, and technically proficient.” “Creative and thoughtful, especially with clients in the creative community.” “A trusted advisor with a great manner and deep expertise.”
- Martindale‑Hubbell, AV Preeminent Recognized in Estate Planning and Probate, New York Super Lawyers (2014, 2016-2026)
- Bloomberg Tax Outstanding Portfolio Author of the Year (2018)
Publications
- “Planning for Authors, Musicians, Artists, and Collectors,” Bloomberg BNA Tax Management Portfolio No. 815‑3rd (Estate Planning Series) (ongoing updates)
Areas of Focus
Credentials
Education
University of Virginia School of Law
- J.D.
University of Virginia
- B.A. (with distinction)
Bar Admissions
- New York
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- United States Tax Court
Recognitions
- Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC)
- Private Clients/Trusts and Estates Group has been ranked in Chambers and Partners’ High Net Worth 2025 guide in Private Wealth Law. David received an individual ranking for his outstanding work in Private Wealth Law.
- From Chambers:David E. Stutzman: With over 30 years of experience, David advises on complex estate, trust, and charitable planning, often for artists and collectors.
He is praised for being: “Empathetic, relatable, and technically proficient.” “Creative and thoughtful, especially with clients in the creative community.” “A trusted advisor with a great manner and deep expertise.”
- Martindale‑Hubbell, AV Preeminent Recognized in Estate Planning and Probate, New York Super Lawyers (2014, 2016-2026)
- Bloomberg Tax Outstanding Portfolio Author of the Year (2018)
Publications
- “Planning for Authors, Musicians, Artists, and Collectors,” Bloomberg BNA Tax Management Portfolio No. 815‑3rd (Estate Planning Series) (ongoing updates)