Insights

(NEW YORK) Katten announced that Deepro Mukerjee, global chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Department, and David Crichlow, co-chair of the firm’s Litigation Department, have once again been recognized in Forbes America’s Top Lawyers list for the second year in a row. Kimberly Smith, global chair of Katten’s Corporate Department, also was named to the list, following her recognition in June 2026 as one of Forbes America’s Top Women Lawyers. The annual Top Lawyers list celebrates exceptional attorneys for their professional achievements, deep industry knowledge and contributions to the legal industry.

Following Highlander Partners' Acquisition of Tapatio earlier this year, The Los Angeles Business Journal named the Katten team as part of the "Food/Beverage Breakthrough Deal of the Year" at the second annual M&A Awards.

(CHICAGO) Katten announced that its Copyright practice in Illinois and two lawyers, Floyd A. Mandell and Nathan Smith, have been recognized in the 2026 edition of IAM/World Trademark Review (WTR) Copyright 1000: The World’s Leading Copyright Professionals, which identifies leading copyright practitioners across key jurisdictions worldwide.

California has eliminated private rights of action under California’s Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA) for violations of Section 638.51, known as the statute’s pen register and trap-and-trace section.

A Katten team led by Washington, DC Managing Partner and Structured Finance and Securitization Partner Seth Messner served as legal counsel to Accelerate Infrastructure Opportunities, a leading infrastructure site investor backed by CBRE Investment Management, on the closing of a $450 million asset-backed securitization (ABS). The notes are backed by a diversified portfolio of infrastructure sites across 39 states that support the digital infrastructure, renewable energy and transportation sectors, including data centers. The notes were privately placed with qualified institutional buyers and drew strong institutional interest, reflecting the durable, contracted nature of the underlying cash flows.

(LONDON) Katten UK announced today that it earned rankings in 10 practice areas in the 2027 edition of the Legal 500 United Kingdom guide. In addition, the guide recognized three Katten lawyers with individual recognitions and 15 lawyers as recommended.

Joshua S. Rubenstein, partner and global chair of Katten's Private Wealth Department, co-authored the "International Aspects of Matrimonial Property Rights" chapter in the newly released third edition of “A Guide to International Estate Planning: Design, Administration, and Compliance.” The latest from the American Bar Association is a go-to resource for anyone who helps families move wealth across borders, including lawyers, fiduciaries, family office professionals, accountants and wealth advisors. This new edition speaks to a reality many advisors know well: families and their assets increasingly stretch across more than one country.

Law UK featured Financial Markets and Funds Partner Charlotte Hill, who recently joined Katten’s London office, in its Fintech Power List. Charlotte advises an exceptionally broad client base on the fast-evolving regulatory issues shaping financial services. Her practice reflects the qualities that define effective regulatory counsel: commercial practicality, deep technical knowledge and a focus on helping innovative businesses grow.

Katten announced today that the firm is promoting a cohort of 12 attorneys to join the partnership.

"We’re incredibly proud of this group of talented attorneys. Their promotion reflects years of hard work and dedication they've devoted to their clients and colleagues," said Katten Chairman Gil Soffer. "These new partners embody the high-performance culture central to our Katten 2030 Strategic Plan. As we continue to invest in and recognize top talent, we’re confident this group will build on our tradition of delivering the exceptional counsel that our clients value."

Commercial Litigation Partner Jacques Semmelman recently appeared on the Dateline NBC podcast, Dateline: True Crime Weekly, where he shared his insights on international extradition with host Lester Holt. Jacques, a former Assistant US Attorney with extensive extradition experience, offered listeners an accessible overview of how the extradition process works into and out of the United States, an issue that has surfaced in several recent high-profile criminal cases.

Katten announced that Brandy Worden has joined the firm’s Los Angeles office as a partner in its Intellectual Property practice. Worden advises clients on privacy, technology and artificial intelligence (AI) matters, bringing extensive experience counseling global companies on complex regulatory, compliance, litigation and investigatory issues at the intersection of technology, data and innovation.

Fashion moves quickly, and in-house design teams draw inspiration from a wide range of cultural reference points. To avoid infringement claims in connection with slogans, prints and other designs, many fashion companies seek legal guidance before approving new collections. Any legal review, however, must combine a technical understanding of intellectual property with a more intuitive understanding of design — and a client's business.