About Kimberly T. Smith

The global chair of Katten's Corporate department, Kimberly Smith helps her clients buy, sell and invest in businesses. Widely honored for her work across a range of industries, her true talent lies in structuring complex transactions and eliminating all road blocks to making them happen.

The power of experience

Described by clients as “knowledgeable, responsive and intelligent,” and “relentless in advocating for clients and driving issues to a favorable outcome” (Chambers USA 2026 survey responses), Kimberly has vast experience in the mergers and acquisitions transactions she handles. It arms her with insight into current market terms as well as knowledge of challenges that commonly arise. At the same time, every deal involves unique considerations. Whether representing a private equity fund, family office, independent sponsor, strategic acquirer or business seller, Kimberly listens to what really matters to them in each transaction. Then, she strategizes accordingly and gets the deal done.

Kimberly frequently counsels private equity funds and strategic acquirers buying and selling healthcare services businesses that use practice management models. She has worked extensively on transactions involving search funds and independent sponsors. She also is a member of Katten's Executive Committee and its Board of Directors.

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"Kimberly is a trusted resource for many reasons. She is transparent and able to deconstruct incredibly complicated matters into plain English." "Kimberly is highly responsive with [experience] across a number of areas. She is great at interacting with counterparties to land points deftly and is also highly commercial and business-oriented."

Chambers USA 2026
(Illinois, Private Equity: Buyouts) survey response

Practice Focus

  • Private equity investments
  • Mergers and acquisitions (M&A)
  • Recapitalizations and reorganizations
  • Joint ventures
  • Management team representations

News

Publications

Presentations and Events

Practices
Industries
Education
  • Georgetown University Law Center, JD
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, BS, summa cum laude, Bronze Tablet
Bar Admissions
  • Illinois
Professional & Community Involvement
  • Law360, Private Equity Editorial Board, 2022, 2023, 2025
  • Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, Corporate Board Member
Recognitions
Recognized or listed in the following:
  • Chambers USA
    Corporate/M&A: Private Equity, 2021–2022
    Private Equity: Buyouts, 2023–2026
  • Chicago Business Journal
    Women of Influence, 2025
  • Crain's Chicago Business
    Notable Gen X Leaders in Accounting, Consulting and Law, 2021–2022
    Chicago's Notable Women Lawyers, 2018
    Notable Women in Law, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2026
    The Most Influential Women Lawyers in Chicago, 2017
    Notable M&A Dealmakers, 2025
  • Forbes
    America's Top Women Lawyers, 2026
  • Leading Lawyers Network
    2020-2025
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
    Most Influential Women in Mid-Market M&A, 2021–2026
  • National Law Journal
    Mergers & Acquisitions and Antitrust Trailblazer, 2016
  • The Deal
    Top Women in Dealmaking, 2023
  • The Legal 500 United States
    Leading Partner, 2025-2026
    Recommended Attorney, 2016–2024
  • Working Mother
    Mother of the Year, 2019
Award Methodologies