Katten > Washington DC, United States > Firm Profile

Katten > The Legal 500 Rankings

Finance > Structured finance: securitization Tier 1

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP's structured finance and securitization department has a high-volume practice spanning consumer and commercial finance, esoteric and one-off transactions. In terms of novel deals, the group has experience in lottery and municipal receivables, as well as renewable energy and refund anticipation loan securities. Taking the lead are Washington DC’s Anna-Liza Harris , an asset and-mortgage-backed securitization expert, and New York’s Howard Schickler , whose broad practice includes mortgages, auto loans, equipment leases and credit card receivables. In Washington DC, Claudine Chen-Young  is an expert in mortgage-backed securities. In New York, John Keiserman  is known for deals involving motor vehicle collateral.

Finance > Structured finance: derivatives and structured products Tier 2

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP‘s derivatives practice spans exchange-traded and over-the-counter products and their regulation. The team is most noted for its regulatory offering, which extends to representing clients in enforcement issues, investigations by the CFTC and litigation. Heading the financial markets and regulations group from New York is Gary DeWaal, who is increasingly known for advising on the law governing digital assets and cryptocurrencies. Also in New York, Carl Kennedy has expertise in the Dodd-Frank Act. In Chicago, Kevin Foley  focuses on US commodity exchange legislation and CFTC rules. In January 2021, the Washington DC office was joined by Daniel Davis from the CFTC in a boost to the regulatory practice. Guy Dempsey retired in 2021.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market (sub-$500m) Tier 2

Operating across eight US offices, including Chicago, New York and Dallas, Katten runs a workload spread across M&A, LBOs, add-on acquisitions, divestitures and leveraged dividends. Kimberly Smith  heads the practice and is particularly reputed for her work within the distribution, manufacturing, healthcare, business services, consumer, technology and financial services industries; she operates from the Chicago office alongside Mark Grossmann who is likewise active in a broad variety of sectors such as real estate, retail, pharmaceutical and security.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 3

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP's securities litigation practice frequently defends securities class actions, stockholder derivative suits, M&A litigation, proxy disclosure suits, and SEC investigations and enforcement actions. The firm counts among its lawyers more than a dozen former Assistant US Attorneys and SEC enforcement attorneys and a DOJ Associate Attorney General. Veteran litigator Bruce Vanyo, who works from both Los Angeles and New York, is described by clients as ‘a master in his area of expertise and is soothing in stressful situations‘, and has vast experienced in defending class actions and stockholder derivative litigations alongside other SEC investigations. Key partner Christina Costley in LA is ‘smart, practical and  strategically savvy‘. Vanyo and Costley recently acted for NextCure Inc. in Section 10(b) and Section 11 securities class action alleging that the company misrepresented the potential efficacy of NC318, a potentially revolutionary cancer immunotherapy. Michael Diver in Chicago, a former Enforcement Branch Chief of the SEC's Chicago office, is also highly recommended.

Industry focus > Transport: aviation and air travel - finance Tier 3

Katten fields specialists in the financing of new and used aircraft, engines and related equipment. Its expertise also covers pooled aircraft securitizations, along with compliance work. Aviation transactions expert Timothy Lynes chairs the group, which includes commercial and business aircraft deal specialist Stewart Herman. Notable growth includes the July 2021 hire of Timothy Kirby, whose practice covers aviation finance, as partner from Milbank, while Brett Seifarth is a key associate. Former partner Thomas Healey recently left the firm. All advisers named are based in the firm’s Washington DC office unless stated otherwise.

Intellectual property > Copyright Tier 3

With a global reach, the intellectual property team at Katten utilizes its deep bench strength to advise on high-profile copyright claims involving household names in entertainment, music, fashion and cosmetics. The team is led in New York by global chair Deepro R. Mukerjee and Karen Artz Ash, a specialist in the fashion sector, representing luxury brand designers, retailers and apparel manufacturers, along with Floyd Mandell, a deeply experienced IP litigator who most recently defended music client Cumulus Media in two class-action suits involving pre-1972 royalties. In Los Angeles, David Halberstadter, who is currently acting for ViacomCBS, and Joel Weiner, whose clients include Will Smith and Sony Pictures, provide expertise on copyright disputes in film and television.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: litigation Tier 3

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP capitalizes on its national and international reach to represent global brands in high-stakes trademark litigation at the state and federal levels. The IP team is led by five experienced partners. In New York, global chair Deepro R. Mukerjee brings expertise to the pharmaceutical sector and Karen Artz Ash specializes in fashion disputes. In Chicago, Kristin Achterhof advises the likes of Lenovo and Motorola on global enforcement and firm IP department founder Floyd Mandell offers deep experience in representing household names. Veteran litigator Terence Ross manages high-value internet and e-commerce disputes at the Washington DC office.

Investment fund formation and management > Alternative/hedge funds Tier 3

Katten‘s ‘terrific‘ offering is differentiated by its ‘excellent experience‘ advising the world’s leading quantitative and algorithmic trading funds on matters relating to volatility, black box, grey box and other alternative and emerging trading strategies. The team’s expertise in this area extends to regular cross-border work, involving jurisdictions as widespread as the UK, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Hong Kong, India and the United Arab Emirates. Allison Yacker – who is recommended for clients looking to ‘launch a fund in the most expeditious and economic manner‘ – and Wendy Cohen jointly chair the investment management and funds practice, while ‘very smart‘ Lance Zinman acts as the global chair of the financial markets and funds departments. Henry Bregstein, another core practitioner at the practice, is singled out by one client as being ‘among the very best commercial and legal minds on Wall Street‘. All named attorneys are based in New York.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense Tier 4

Under the leadership of Scott Resnik  in New York, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP continues to handle a range of white-collar criminal cases, regulatory enforcement matters, civil and securities litigation and internal investigations. The firm fields a team of experienced trial lawyers who regularly defend against allegations of criminal misconduct. It is particularly active in the healthcare, financial services and insurance sectors, and acts for both corporates and individuals. In January 2021, Ryan Meyer in Texas was promoted, and in August of the same year Daniel Collins and Levi Giovanetto joined in Chicago from Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath.

Dispute resolution > Financial services litigation Tier 4

Katten represents both national and regional banks as well as credit unions in consumer lending disputes, including acting in cases challenging fees practices and alleging violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The team handles cases for clients in both state and federal courts, and also acts in the defence of banks facing allegations of aiding and abetting fraud, including ponzi schemes. Gregory Korman leads the team and is noted for his work in class actions, with Stuart Richter also recognized for his work representing a range of financial institutions in litigation. All named lawyers are based in Los Angeles.

Finance > Commercial lending Tier 4

Katten‘s main focus is working with private credit companies. The group, primarily operating out of the firm’s Chicago office, advises some of the biggest alternative lenders on the market, including Ares Capital, The Carlyle Group and Twin Brook, on an array of financing transactions. Michael Jacobson  leads the team and focuses on deals in the health care, software, technology, sports and entertainment sectors, while Jennifer Wolfe ‘s experience spans acquisitions, leveraged buyouts and recapitalization. The firm also has a Los Angeles presence, which includes Glen Lim and Jan Harris Cate.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 4

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP remains a go-to firm for the representation of independent directors in both chapter 11 cases and out-of-court restructurings. It is also well versed in the representation of debtors, equity sponsors and creditor committees, and has strong rapports with investment banks and financial advisors. New York-based Steven Reisman  and Chicago’s Peter Siddiqui  are co-chairs of the team. The practice has significantly enhanced its offering throughout 2021, with the arrival of Terence Banich from Fox Rothschild LLP, Michael Comerford from Paul Hastings LLP, Michaela Crocker from Jones Day, Peter Knight from Latham & Watkins LLP, John Mitchell from Akerman LLP, Julia Winters from White & Case LLP and Cindi Giglio rejoining from Gordon Brothers Group. Theresa Foudy departed the firm, while Jeff Friedman retired.

Industry focus > Sport Tier 4

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP is particularly strong on the transactional side, frequently assisting clients with debt and equity financings, stadium and arena construction and financing, concession deals, broadcast agreements and acquisitions and sales of sports franchises. Chicago-based Adam Klein, who regularly advises investors, teams, sponsors and arenas to advise on financing and acquisition transactions, directs the practice. Supporting the team in Los Angeles is Benzion Westreich, a real estate expert, and Daniel Render, whose expertise spans acquisitions and sales, sponsorship deals and naming rights agreements.

Media, technology and telecoms > Media and entertainment: litigation Tier 4

Based in Los Angeles, the team at Katten takes cases on behalf of musicians and music industry organizations as well as TV and film production studios, including idea theft. Zia Modabber heads the practice and represents high-profile musical artists including Trent Reznor and Stevie Wonder, as well as institutions such as Live Nation and The Recording Academy. On the TV, film, and new media side, David Halberstadter represents companies such as ViacomCBS and Starz Entertainment. Another specialist in this area is Joel Weiner who in a recent highlight represented filmmaker Robert Rodriguez in a claim regarding the ‘Machete’ films. Tami Kameda Sims is also recommended for her expertise in pre-publication review, advising on content and performing rights analysis.

Media, technology and telecoms > Media and entertainment: transactional Tier 4

From content production to distribution and exploitation, the California-based team at Katten covers the entire content-lifecycle, advising major production studios and interactive entertainment companies. The practice is headed out of Los Angeles by Michael Hobel who represents key players in this space including HBO, MRC Entertainment, and Warner Media. Also based in Los Angeles and highly active in the team is associate Scott Cutrow  who regularly works closely with Hobel on matters for the firm’s high-profile clients.

Real estate Tier 4

Katten has a national reputation for handling acquisition, development, financing, leasing, and restructuring on behalf of lenders, developers, fund sponsors and investors. Chicago based senior partners Alvin Katz , David Dlugie and Mark Simon are all noted names in the Midwest real estate market. Timothy Little chairs the practice from New York.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 5

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP works closely with its financial services group in industry disputes, but the team also acts for public and private companies as well as business organizations from a wide range of other sectors. The offering encompasses contract disputes, regulatory matters, class action lawsuits, antitrust matters, appeals and other commercial litigation, as well as domestic and international arbitrations. David Crichlow in New York is the national chair of the commercial litigation practice and has over 30 years of experience. Fellow New Yorker Anthony Paccione also covers securities litigation.

Industry focus > Healthcare: service providers Tier 5

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP‘s healthcare team is known for its litigation expertise, representing clients in major fraud and abuse cases in the New York and Texas markets. The group also provides outside regulatory counsel to major academic medical groups and health systems and advises municipalities on healthcare matters. Lisa Atlas Genecov leads the team from Dallas and is known for advising on complex transactional matters. Also notable are Chicago-based radiology expert Kenneth Davis and New York-based litigator Joseph Willey .

M&A/corporate and commercial > Venture capital and emerging companies Tier 5

Katten has a comprehensive practice that represents a mix of entrepreneurs and issuer companies, as well as venture and hedge funds, corporate investors and family offices. The full-service offering includes advice on initial company launches and seed capital, through to larger value equity and debt financings, M&A and IPOs. The firm has expertise across many industries, with a particular emphasis on the technology sector. Matthew Brown, head of entrepreneurial ventures, leads the team from Chicago, where the majority of the practice is based. Fellow partner Jeffrey Patt has an extremely active presence in the market and over 30 years’ experience representing investors and growth companies. Other names to note include M&A and private equity co-head Christopher Atkinson, David Kravitz in New York, and Daniel Render in Los Angeles, who also has a good track record advising on sports-related ventures.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 6

Katten maintains an active presence in the middle-market M&A and DCM arenas, advising a diverse array of clients on the tax aspects of various deals, restructurings, and insolvency proceedings. Practice head Saul Rudo is praised by clients for his extensive experience in venture capital and start-up transactions, executive compensation, and fund formations. Valentina Famparska ’s recent transactional tax work include leveraged buyouts and private equity investments. All named lawyers are based in Chicago.

Finance > Financial services regulation Tier 7

At Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, the financial services practice focuses on securities regulation, providing advice to banks, broker-dealers and investment advisors. The team provides proactive advice to clients on complying with SEC regulation and is also regularly engaged to handle investigations and enforcement proceedings. The practice is jointly led by Lance Zinman and Gary DeWaal, while Susan Light is the key name to note on contentious matters. DeWaal and Light are based in New York, while Zinman acts out of the firm’s Chicago office.