Katten Adds Talent in Insolvency and Restructuring and in Commercial Finance

(CHICAGO) Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP today announced the hiring of three partners in its Chicago office. Geoffrey King joins the firm's Insolvency and Restructuring group, while G. Bradley Laken and Andrew C. Lillis are new members of its Commercial Finance team.

"Our Insolvency and Restructuring practice group offers practical, innovative solutions to the complex business and legal issues that our clients face. Similarly, our Commercial Finance partners are terrific at helping our clients reach their economic objectives through sophisticated, cutting-edge counsel," said Katten Chairman Roger Furey. "Bringing on outstanding professionals like Geoff, Brad and Andy is a key component of our continual efforts to fortify our already exceptional client services."

King works on all aspects of complex corporate restructuring, bankruptcy proceedings, distressed asset acquisitions and bankruptcy-related litigation. He has represented large and mid-sized corporate debtors, unsecured creditors, senior secured lenders, purchasers and other interested parties in both in-court and out-of-court restructurings.

Laken represents borrowers and lenders, including private equity sponsors, alternative lenders, private equity credit affiliates, and other private and public companies, in connection with the structuring, negotiation and documentation of secured and unsecured credit facilities ranging in size from several million dollars to $2 billion, with particular focus on middle-market financing transactions.

Lillis focuses his practice on debt-financing transactions for commercial lending institutions, including senior, mezzanine and subordinated creditors, private equity groups and their portfolio investments, hedge funds, and other private and public companies or financial sponsors. He has particular experience with financings in connection with major leveraged buyouts, public offerings and secured bond offerings, and regularly counsels clients on all components of a company's capital structure.

"These new partners join us during a period of strategic growth for both the Insolvency and Restructuring practice group and the Commercial Finance practice group," said Michael A. Jacobson, national head of Katten's Commercial Finance department. "We are thrilled to have them on our team and believe each of these talented individuals will be a key contributor to our continued growth efforts."

Both Laken and Lillis previously worked at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. King was at Sidley Austin LLP.

King has significant experience in representing debtors in every stage of Chapter 11 proceedings, including contested plan confirmations, plan valuation litigation, bankruptcy litigation, contested debtor-in-possession financing litigation, cash collateral litigation and settlement negotiations. Representing senior secured lenders, he also has experience with debtor-in-possession financing, stalking horse bidding and debt-for-equity swaps, and in addition, has provided counsel on cross-border insolvencies for Chapter 15 debtors, among others.

Laken has a wealth of experience in representing borrowers and lenders in connection with complex leveraged acquisition financings, cross-border transactions, subscription and capital call facilities, asset-backed/working capital financings, restructurings and debtor-in-possession financings.

Lillis has deep transactional expertise in both private equity and non-sponsor mandates that have included lead-role engagements on senior, subordinated, bridge and mezzanine facilities in secured and unsecured scenarios. He provides guidance to lender and borrower clients in distressed and other special situations, including forbearance transitions, loan workouts, debtor-in-possession financings and restructurings in and out of court. His work spans a variety of industries and includes both domestic and cross-border finance transactions.