Insights

In 2025, the deal environment in the UK and Europe re‑established a firmer footing, with values improving even as volumes lagged pre‑2021 highs. If macro stability and rate normalization persist, we anticipate a more active 2026. Periods of falling inflation and reduced volatility last year created capacity for dealmakers to re‑engage, and we expect that dynamic to carry forward into 2026, with greater confidence around financing, valuation bridges and buyer appetite. Against that backdrop, we set out below six themes we expect to define UK and European mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in 2026.

Katten's Insolvency and Restructuring Department will be honored as an award recipient in three categories of the Global M&A Network's 20th Annual Turnaround Atlas Awards, which recognize "the leading distressed transactions, restructuring, refinancing, products and services, firms, and professionals in the United States and international markets."

Katten Muchin Rosenman UK LLP announced that James Davison and Victoria Procter have joined the firm's Insolvency and Restructuring practice as partner and counsel respectively in London.

Katten announced that 37 attorneys were named to this year's lists of Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.

With this year's recognition, Partners David R. Dlugie, Julie L. Gottshall and Senior Counsel Lewis Greenbaum were recognized for being on the list for 20 years; Partner Michael J. Diver for 10 years; Partners Jason R. Gorczynski, Leslie D. Minier, Brian M. Spangler and Associate Julia L. Mazur were all named for the first time. Partner Fabiola Fox and Associate Catherine E. O'Brien also made their first appearances on the Rising Stars list.

Fashion houses trade in dreams, and often in names. But what happens when a famous designer leaves the label, and the business keeps using the designer’s surname as a trade mark?

The decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in PMJC confirms that the continued use of a designer's surname as a trade mark by a successor company remains permissible following the designer's departure, provided that the way the trade mark is used does not mislead consumers into believing the designer is still creatively involved. 

A Katten team served as bond counsel to the City of Joliet, in connection with an $87 million loan under the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). The financing closed on December 19 and will support critical regional water infrastructure for the participating municipalities.

Four Dallas partners, James Bookhout, Ted Huffman, Ryan Meyer, and Rachel Riley, have been selected to D Magazine's 2026 "Best Lawyers Under 40" list, which honors outstanding young attorneys in North Texas based on peer nominations and editorial review.

Following changes announced by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in August 2025, the Institutional Limited Partners Association (ILPA) has recently published an analysis underscoring a structural shift as US retail capital accelerates into private markets through semi‑liquid, evergreen vehicles. ILPA points out that these products differ materially from traditional institutional drawdown funds in terms of governance, liquidity, valuation, investment allocation and fees, which frame the considerations discussed in this article. For clients involved with asset management (particularly managers launching retail products, sponsors allocating deals across vehicles, and companies transacting with funds), these differences create distinct legal, regulatory and execution risks that require proactive planning.

Insolvency and Restructuring Partner and Global Chair Steven J. Reisman was featured in the Bankruptcy Alumni Spotlight Q&A by St. John’s University School of Law. Steve, one of the country's top restructuring attorneys who has been lauded by Best Lawyers in America, Chambers, the Global M&A Network and The M&A Advisor, shared insights from his career in bankruptcy law and notable experience representing clients in some of the largest and most complex in-court and out-of-court restructurings of all time.

A Katten team led by Private Equity and M&A Partners Mark S. Solomon and Peter A. Bogdanow advised Highlander Partners, LP (Highlander), a Dallas-based private investment firm, in its acquisition of Tapatio, an iconic hot sauce brand.  Katten has a long-standing relationship with Highlander and has represented them in a number of acquisitions, including in the food and beverage manufacturing and distribution space. 

 Katten announced that Corporate Department Global Chair Kimberly T. Smith was named to the Mergers & Acquisitions' 2026 list of Most Influential Women in Mid-Market M&A.

The recognition honors 13 outstanding female dealmakers shaping the middle-market mergers and acquisitions (M&A) industry and inspiring the next generation of leaders. It is the sixth consecutive time Smith has been named to the list.

A Katten Real Estate team led by Partner and Affordable Housing and Community Development Co-Chair Louise Carroll, including Partner Eddy Park and Associates Taylor Fisher and Charlie Metzger, was retained by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) for their work on 100 Gold Street. Our team represented NYCEDC in negotiating the disposition of the city-owned site with multiple respondents to the Request for Proposals (RFP).