Five Katten Private Wealth attorneys in the New York and Chicago offices were listed in Private Client Global Elite's "Private Client Global Elite" and "Ones to Watch" directories for 2021, recognizing them as being among the world's most respected attorneys who advise on private client matters. Congratulations to chair and partner of the Private Wealth Department, Josh Rubenstein, and Private Wealth partners Kathryn von Matthiessen and Matthew Sperry, who were listed in "Private Client Global Elite," and Private Wealth partner Bonnie Lynn Chmil and associate Nicholas Heuer, who were listed as "Ones to Watch."
The Private Client Global Elite was launched in 2017 and serves as a highly respected global directory of the world's top private client and trusts and estates litigation practitioners and rising stars in the industry. The directory is peer recommended and each year receives 6,000 nominations, with only 250 nominees accepted.
Both directories include profiles of Josh, Kathryn, Bonnie, Matthew and Nicholas that provide information about their top areas of expertise, practice jurisdictions, and their answers to a series of questions that include the highlight of their practice, their favorite quote, how they came to be involved in private client law, the biggest challenges facing their practice, and what advice they would give to new attorneys.
On what advice he would give to his younger self, Josh said it's important to trust your instincts.
"I trusted my instincts at the start of my career, when I chose private client over transactional work. It was counter-trend, but it was what I cared about. I was stressed for a long time over whether or not I should not have become an investment banker. I would reassure my younger self to trust my instincts."
On what advice they would give rising stars or new attorneys, Nicholas said, "Only create complexity when necessary," while Matthew emphasized the importance of listening. "I suspect the normal advice, like working hard, building a thoughtful network and being a subject matter expert/thought leader. But I think that it is critical to listen, especially when working with private clients with global interests well beyond your home jurisdiction."
For Kathryn, working in the private client industry gave her the opportunity to work with families and individuals.
"I always wanted to work with families and individuals and was lucky enough to be a summer associate at Katten and work with their private client department."
For Bonnie, one of the highlights of her practice is "getting to know private client lawyers from around the world at so many fantastic conferences, and learning more about global issues affecting private clients."
