Answers in the short run. Vision for the long haul.
That’s Katten.
Navigating the Future of Private Credit Funds: Structuring, Product Development and Regulatory Trends
Join Katten attorneys and an esteemed group of industry leaders for what promises to be a valuable and insightful program focusing on the evolving landscape of private credit funds while exploring the intricacies of fund structuring, the latest innovations in product development and the impact of regulatory trends.
Financial Markets and Funds Team Authors, Edits Inaugural Chambers Overview on Derivatives
Partner and Financial Markets and Regulation Co-Chair Carl Kennedy was invited by Chambers and Partners to oversee the first-ever published Capital Markets: Derivatives Guide. In addition, members of the Financial Markets and Funds team in the United States authored the Global Overview, and members of the Financial Markets and Funds team in London authored the England and Wales chapter.
FTC Noncompete Rule in Doubt Following Texas Court Ruling
Published by Agenda, Katten Litigation Partner Mark Ciani, Counsel Janella Gholian and Associate Sravya Vallapureddy wrote an article examining how the implementation of the FTC’s Noncompete Rule — originally set to take effect on September 4 — is now uncertain following a permanent injunction from a federal court in the Northern District of Texas.
Selection of Gov. Walz as VP Harris's Running Mate Triggers Federal Pay-to-Play Restrictions on Investment Advisers and Other Financial Industry Professionals
Financial Markets and Funds Partners David Dickstein, Christian Hennion and Richard Marshall, with Associate Nicholas Gervasi, explore the significant implications and potential pitfalls of federal pay-to-play restrictions for federally registered investment advisers and exempt reporting advisers related to Harris-Walz campaign contributions.
New Dawn for Employment Law
Katten's Christopher Hitchins and Brigitte Weaver share their thoughts on the Labour Party's Plan to Make Work Pay in an article published by Accounting and Business Magazine outlining significant reforms following the recent UK general election.
ESG Corporate Reporting Requirements - Don't miss the deadline to comply!
Partner Neil Robson, Senior Associate Brigitte Weaver and Associate Christy Wilson examine the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, which the EU adopted to meet its Paris Agreement climate change goals. Starting in 2024, in-scope large companies will have granular reporting requirements on their ESG activities as part of their financial statements.
SCOTUS Spotlight: Navigating Recent Supreme Court Decisions
The SCOTUS Spotlight aims to keep you informed of the latest US Supreme Court rulings and their far-reaching effects on law, policy and society. This resource center offers in-depth analysis, comprehensive commentary and summaries of recent decisions, making complex legal rulings more understandable and accessible.
Katten Global Head of Financial Markets and Funds Lance Zinman Joins MFA Board
Lance Zinman, Global Head of the firm's industry-leading Financial Markets and Funds department, is a newly appointed member of MFA Board of Directors. As such, he will assist in guiding the MFA mission to foster a thriving alternative asset management industry worldwide.
Katten Announces 2024 Partner Promotions
Effective September 1, 2024, Katten's Executive Committee unanimously approved the promotion of 11 attorneys to partner.
Johnjerica Hodge and India Williams Share Racial Equity Audit Tips with Law360
Partners and ESG Risk and Investigations Co-Chairs Johnjerica Hodge and India Williams spoke in depth with Law360 about their insight into how to yield valuable information to inform companies and their stakeholders’ goals through racial equity and civil rights assessments.
Danette Edwards Discusses Recent SolarWinds Litigation Developments With CFO Dive
Partner and Securities Enforcement Defense Co-Chair Danette Edwards shares her thoughts with CFO Dive on a recent court ruling that weakened the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) approach to cybersecurity enforcement.
Richard Marshall Quoted by Law360 on the Latest SEC Rulemaking Agenda
Financial Markets and Funds Partner Richard Marshall was quoted in a Law360 article about the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) rulemaking agenda and its recent slowdown as the 2024 election nears. In July, the SEC filed its latest rulemaking agenda that reflects fewer near-term priorities of the SEC's chair in comparison to the past few filings.
DOJ Details Its Bounty Program as New Corporate Whistleblower Program Rolls Out
The Department of Justice has officially detailed its anticipated Corporate Whistleblower Awards Pilot Program, marking a significant corporate accountability and compliance development. Litigation Partner Ryan Meyer and Associate Ryan Dean share their thoughts on DOJ’s four key areas of focus and what it means for corporations.
Managing Intellectual Property Honors Katten in 2024 Copyright Rankings
Managing Intellectual Property released its 2024 copyright rankings, recognizing Katten with a "United States (National)" ranking. This is the first time our firm has received this accolade for its exemplary achievements from attorneys across our New York, Chicago and Los Angeles offices in copyright law.
Katten Commercial Litigation Chair Becky Lindahl Presents Winning Hackathon Pitch to Foster Greater Inclusivity
Commercial Litigation Chair Becky Lindahl presented a winning pitch in Diversity Lab's "2024 Moments to Movements Hackathon" alongside teams of law firm and legal department leaders. Lindahl's winning team, "Control + Alt + Interrupt," was awarded the Judges' Selection for its Leadership Escalator 10.0 (LEX) proposal.
Katten Hosts Soccer Legend Abby Wambach in Honor of Pride Month
Katten celebrated Pride Month with a special event featuring FIFA Women's World Cup Champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Abby Wambach. The firm hosted Wambach as part of Katten's Perspectives Speaker Series, a program designed to increase cultural awareness, broaden perspectives and inspire dialogue across the firm community on topics ranging from race, history and legislation to inclusive best practices.
Katten Hosts DEI Event in Observance of Juneteenth
In observance of Juneteenth, Katten held a DEI event, "Beyond Backlash: Charting the Next Frontier of Inclusion." Counsel Tracie Bedeaux moderated the program, which featured several business leaders who shared innovative strategies they are using to continue advancing important DEI initiatives.
Katten DEI: Weaving Together a Rich Tapestry of Diverse Identities
Katten's 2024 Diversity Equity and Inclusion Report, aptly themed "Interwoven," is a testament to the rich tapestry of diverse identities that enrich our community. The stories in these pages show the many ways Katten is deeply committed to DEI and how we are actively striving to create an inclusive work environment where everyone's identity is welcomed and celebrated.
Katten Again Recognized for Seeking Greater Diversity and Inclusion
For the third consecutive year, Katten has been designated a Mansfield Certified Plus firm, signaling its continued commitment to diversify law firm leadership and foster a culture of belonging.
Diversity is a reality. Inclusion is a choice.
We are committed to having the brightest lawyers on our team, and we recognize that the best talent is diverse in many ways, including gender, race, sexual orientation, national origin, and ability.
Recognizing that our attorneys are at the heart of our business
If you're seeking to join a firm where you can enjoy exceptional career opportunities, as well as the resources to help you take your personal and professional goals to the next level, take a closer look at Katten.
Case Studies
Four Deals in One: Buyer Group Acquires Majority Stake in Charlotte Hornets
Sports and Sports Facilities Partner Daniel H. Render led a Katten team in representing the new majority owners of the Charlotte Hornets in their acquisition of a controlling interest in the team from basketball superstar Michael Jordan. The complex, high-value, high-stakes transaction meant the end of Jordan's 13-year majority ownership of the team.
The buyer group was led by Gabe Plotkin, a hedge fund founder and manager, and Rick Schnall, a private equity firm president, and included rapper J. Cole and country music artist Eric Church, as well as Dan Sundheim, Chris Shumway, Ian Loring, Dyal HomeCourt Partners, Andrew Schwartzberg and local Charlotte-based investors Amy Dawson and Damian Mills.
Pinstripes Bowls Onto National Experiential Dining Scene With NYSE Debut
In June of 2023, Northbrook, Illinois-based Pinstripes Inc., which at the time had 13 locations in eight states and Washington, DC, announced plans to go public with a large-scale expansion of its experiential dining and entertainment brand combining bistro, bowling, bocce and private event space. As part of its growth strategy, Pinstripes is filling holes left by disappearing big-box shopping mall anchors, revitalizing retail spaces with its brand of dining and entertainment and hosting events that range from company outings and birthday parties to weddings.
Tapped by Partner Christopher Atkinson, Co-Chair of Katten's Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity Practice, Capital Markets Partner Mark Wood led the legal team that helped Pinstripes go public through a merger with special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Banyan Acquisition Corporation (Banyan). The deal, which closed at the end of 2023, valued Pinstripes at approximately $380 million, based upon a value of $10 ascribed to each SPAC share. The transaction included an equity investment of over $20 million directly in Pinstripes by Middleton Partners, a Chicago-based investment firm, and a debt investment of $50 million in the combined company by Oaktree Capital Management. The deal closed on schedule, with Pinstripes' common stock commencing trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on January 2, 2024.
First Independent Swap Data Repository Is Granted CFTC Registration
Financial Markets and Funds attorneys Carl Kennedy, James Brady, and Gary DeWaal led the team successfully guiding KOR — a trade data processing and management platform for derivatives markets — in its registration application with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
The approval marked several firsts, the first registration for an independent and cloud-native swap data repository (SDR); the CFTC's first SDR registered in eight years; and the first SDR registration approval by the CFTC since the agency amended its SDR rules in 2020. The registration enabled KOR to provide full SDR service for all asset classes and client segments.
KOR claims it has created a uniquely modern, user friendly approach to complying with reporting obligations.
Marathon Music Royalties Dispute Ends in Estate Victory
Zia F. Modabber, Managing Partner of Katten’s California offices and leader of Katten’s Entertainment and Media Litigation practice, Partner Tami Kameda Sims and Associate Leah E.A. Solomon, along with co-counsel at Kinsella Weitzman and Greines Martin, successfully represented Michael Jackson’s Estate in a seven-year long dispute over royalties from Jackson’s albums Off The Wall, Thriller, and Bad.