Law firm Seward & Kissel promoted counsel Jay Baroody, Kevin Cassidy and Sagar Patel and associates Sophia Agathis, Brett Cotler, Bradley Fay and Noelle Indelicato to partner, effective Jan. 1.

“While these lawyers each bring unique gifts to our firm, they are all alike in delivering tremendous value to the clients they counsel,” Jim Cofer, managing partner of Seward & Kissel, said. “This year’s partner class reflects both the strengths of our firm and the breadth of areas that we cover.”

Agathis, a member of the firm’s maritime and transportation group and corporate finance group, represents both lenders and borrowers in connection with debt financing and other credit transactions. She has been recognized as a Rising Star by both Legal 500 and Super Lawyers, and has helped execute deals recognized as “Deal of the Year” by Lloyd’s List Americas and “Editor’s Choice Deal of the Year” by Marine Money.

Baroody, a member of Seward & Kissel’s investment management group, advises sponsors and managers of private funds, including hedge funds, private equity funds and funds of funds, on their formation and ongoing management. This year he co-authored the Seward & Kissel New Manager Hedge Fund Study, an analysis of trends among newly formed hedge funds.

Cassidy, another member of the firm’s investment management group, advises institutional, emerging and first-time managers of private investment funds on formation and other legal issues. He also represents wealth and investment advisers. Cassidy writes frequently on topics of interest to investment advisers and, with Baroody, co-authored this year’s Seward & Kissel New Manager Hedge Fund Study.

Cotler, a member of the firm’s taxation group, advises private investment funds and public and private companies on U.S. federal income tax matters, including international tax issues. He recently advised Kennedy Lewis on tax aspects of its formation of a master fund with $4.1 billion in capital commitments. He is a contributor to Seward & Kissel’s cryptocurrency and blockchain blog, SKrypto.

Fay, who practices in the firm’s ERISA and executive compensation and employee benefits groups, focuses his practice on ERISA and Internal Revenue Code compliance issues. The wealth of ERISA-related matters on which he counsels clients includes the investment of plan assets, fiduciary duties and prohibited transactions.

Indelicato, a member of the firm’s investment management group, has been recognized by the International Finance Law Review 1000 as a Rising Star in advising hedge funds and private equity funds. Her work was also cited by Legal 500 in its ranking of Seward & Kissel for excellence in investment fund formation and management for private equity and venture capital funds.

Patel, a member of the firm’s global bank and institutional finance group, has experience representing corporate trustees and other clients in complex financing transactions, including collateralized loan obligations and collateralized debt obligations. In his pro bono practice, he recently obtained cancellation of removal for a low-income individual in immigration court, and has volunteered for a non-partisan, national call center dedicated to ensuring that all citizens can exercise their right to vote.