Katten is pleased to spotlight the recent growth in the firm's Corporate department, underscoring its first-rate reputation in the fields of Private Equity, Mergers & Acquisitions and Capital Markets. Over the past few months, these practices have expanded greatly with the addition of experienced lateral partners and associates that bolster our ability to provide exceptional client service and close strategic transactions when the stakes are high.
"These individuals are key hires who make our bench of talented attorneys even stronger. They bring considerable skills to our platform that broaden the dynamic capabilities we offer to our clients to ensure deals get done," said Kimberly Smith, global chair of Katten's Corporate department. "Our team works collaboratively to tackle issues before they become problems, offer pragmatic and market-based advice, and leverage our experience across market cycles, informing how we position our clients to overcome volatility and other challenges."
Katten is proud to introduce the newest Corporate department members across our New York, Dallas, Los Angeles and Chicago offices:
Dilen Kumar is a partner in the Mergers & Acquisitions/Private Equity practice in Dallas. Dilen focuses his practice on representing private equity firms and public and private companies in connection with mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, carve-outs, investment transactions and general corporate governance matters. He has represented clients across a variety of industries, from health care and technology to energy and consumer goods. Dilen has served on the boards of numerous charitable and civic organizations in Dallas and currently serves as co-chair of the Texas Minority Counsel Program, an affiliate of the State Bar of Texas that seeks to increase opportunities for diverse attorneys in Texas. Prior to working in private practice, Dilen served as an assistant counsel in the White House Counsel's Office during the Obama administration. Dilen was formerly at Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
Tim Kirby is a Capital Markets partner based in New York. Tim leads deal teams through a broad array of complex corporate and securities transactions, including initial public offerings, private placements of high-yield, secured and convertible bonds, leveraged buyouts, tender offers, distressed debt exchanges, special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) and de-SPAC transactions, recapitalizations and restructurings. Tim represents financial institutions, public and private companies, and other market participants engaged in high-stakes financings in a diverse range of industries, including gaming, natural resources, real estate investment trusts, health care, finance, renewable energy and consumer products. Tim also regularly advises public and private companies in connection with securities law, corporate governance and general corporate matters. Prior to joining Katten, Tim was an attorney at Milbank LLP.
Ilana Lubin is a partner in the Mergers & Acquisitions/Private Equity practice based in New York. Ilana advises companies in a range of industries on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint venture, carve-out and divestiture transactions, particularly those in apparel, footwear, accessory, and beauty sectors. Ilana regularly supports clients seeking to maximize celebrity, entertainment and corporate brand value through intellectual property transactions, including joint venture, licensing, distribution and endorsement deals. She counsels clients on other strategic corporate and commercial matters as her practice often sits at the intersection of traditional retail operations, digitization and entertainment. She represents retailers, consumer products companies and brand owners in connection with the development of celebrity branded and founded consumer product lines. Prior to joining Katten, Ilana was a partner at Crowell & Moring LLP.
Roger Griesmeyer is a partner in the Mergers & Acquisitions/Private Equity practice based in New York. Roger focuses on sophisticated and cross-border transactions in several industries, including health care, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, technology and fintech, among others. He advises a variety of clients, including private equity and venture capital funds, companies and other interested parties on their acquisition, investment and disposition strategies. He also guides boards of directors, special committees and investors on growth strategy, special situations and other corporate governance issues. Prior to joining Katten, Roger was a partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP.
Among the group of associates who have recently joined Katten's Corporate department is Josh Lewis in the Mergers & Acquisitions/Private Equity practice based in Chicago. Prior to joining Katten, Josh was an attorney at Sidley Austin LLP. Maximillian Licona is in the Capital Markets practice in Los Angeles and was formerly at Eversheds Sutherland. In Dallas, Zachary Ward is in the Mergers & Acquisitions/Private Equity practice and Elizabeth McNichol is in the Capital Markets practice. Zachary came from Jackson Walker LLP while Elizabeth previously served as legal counsel at a financial services company.
