Katten

England

Lawyers

Search

Christopher Collins

Christopher Collins is an England, New York dual-qualified lawyer who advises financial services clients on a range of regulatory and compliance matters. He represents UK, US and EU clients, including proprietary trading firms, investment managers, hedge funds, broker-dealers, trading venues, clearinghouses and payment services firms. Such clients rely on Chris to anticipate and solve the complex cross-border regulatory issues they face.Firsthand industry experience helps provide first-rate legal solutionsMany of Chris's clients are international firms and, therefore, require an understanding of the cross-border issues and opportunities that may arise for their businesses. In some cases, they're entering new markets; in others, planning for future regulatory reform. Chris helps these clients navigate the panoply of UK, European and US regulations affecting them as they pursue their business aims. He offers them considered recommendations, presenting them with their best options when dealing with the rules affecting trading in financial instruments and digital assets.Prior to joining Katten, he worked for three and a half years in AllianceBernstein's legal and compliance department. He also volunteered at the Citizens Advice Bureau, a charity that provides face-to-face advice and information to the public.Practice Focus- Financial services- Financial services regulatory and compliance- Futures and derivatives- Investment companies- Private funds and investment management- Proprietary trading firms- Quantitative and algorithmic trading

James Davison

James Davison is a solution-focused restructuring lawyer whose broad practice encompasses debtor and creditor side mandates, with an emphasis on corporate rescue and turnaround to maximize value for stakeholders. James has led high-profile (often cross-border) restructurings across a range of sectors, including hospitality and leisure, travel, retail, consumer goods, industrials and financial services, using early intervention and practical dealmaking to safeguard and enhance clients' interests. James also routinely advises boards, management teams, private equity sponsors, lenders and other investors on accelerated mergers and acquisitions (M&A), capital structure resets, workouts and contingency planning.Strategic, business-focused restructuring leaderJames approaches complex matters with a focus on identifying and pursuing the critical path to a solution, coordinating workstreams and aligning stakeholders around the necessary actions. His completion of secondments to two lending institutions and a global private credit fund (incorporating debt and equity interests) contributes to his well-rounded, multijurisdictional experience, as well as his ability to understand the key objectives of a range of stakeholders. Clients turn to James as a trusted advisor at critical inflection points because of his ability to combine calm, strategic judgment with clarity and speed of execution under pressure. Financial advisory firms with aligned practices often refer clients to James, reflecting his reputation for developing longstanding relationships and delivering dependable and commercially sound legal counsel.James "has been at the forefront in the development of Part 26A Restructuring Plans (The Legal 500 United Kingdom 2025)," with particular know-how in the design and implementation of such plans under Part 26A of the Companies Act 2006. He has acted on a series of high-profile cases since this tool was introduced in the United Kingdom in 2020 (with similar tools having come online in other European jurisdictions more recently). These tools bear some of the hallmarks of Chapter 11 and provide a route to rescuing a company in financial difficulty without the need for a formal insolvency.Practice Focus - Restructuring- Consumer goods, food and retail- Financial services- Industrials- Real estateRepresentative Experience- Advised Fitness First Group on a successful Restructuring Plan, delivering a financial and operational turnaround for the group despite significant opposition from landlords. *- Advised FTI Consulting on the accelerated sale of Elvie, the leading provider of wireless breast pumps and other FemTech innovations, to US-based competitor, Willow Corporation. *- Advised Tapi Carpets & Floors on the acquisition of a substantial part of its competitor, Carpetright, through a pre-packaged administration. Counsel included navigating antitrust considerations. Subsequently advised the group on the impact of the Homebase administration and, more recently, its commercial arrangements with John Lewis, helping to shape Tapi into the market-leading business it is today. *- Advised administrators at Teneo on the accelerated sale of online fashion retailer Missguided to Frasers Group. *- Advised Sandton Capital Partners on the refinancing of Camerons Breweries. *- Advised a key stakeholder on the Energy Supply Administration of Bulb Energy. *- Advised FTI Consulting on the accelerated sale of globally recognised men’s tailor Gieves & Hawkes. *- Advised Bibby Offshore on its divestment and recapitalization via a scheme of arrangement. *- Advised the CVA nominees and supervisors on the corporate rescue of historic retailer Clarks Shoes. *- Advised Cargologicair, an airline impacted by UK sanctions, on the wind down of its operations and the return of funds to non-sanctioned creditors. *- Advised various stakeholders on numerous phases of the restructuring of UK Coal. *- Advised Revolution Bars Group PLC and its subsidiaries on a successful Restructuring Plan alongside a complex equity raise in the capital markets (AIM) and the refinancing of the group’s banking facilities. *- Advised the Poundland Group on its successful leasehold restructuring, delivered through a Restructuring Plan. *- Advised restaurant and bars group Drake & Morgan on its financial and operational turnaround, delivered through inter-conditional CVA's of various group entities. *- Advised Virgin Money, as secured creditor, in connection with the first Restructuring Plan proposed by an SME, Houst Limited. *- Represented a global financial institution in connection with the insolvency of Thomas Cook. *- Advised a global clothing brand on its joint venture with a listed UK retailer to move the client’s UK presence online and wind down its UK store portfolio. *- Advised King & Wood Mallesons in connection with the acquisition (out of administration) of various offices and teams within its Europe and Middle East business, maintaining the firm’s presence in key jurisdictions. *- Advised LA Fitness Group of its financial and operational restructuring, delivered through inter-conditional CVA's of various group entities. *- Advised a prominent US private equity investor on a series of hotel portfolio disposals with a value of more than £700 million. *- Advised AlixPartners as lead financial advisors in connection with the restructuring of global consulting firm Enzen. *- Advised administrators at Deloitte on the accelerated sale of Gourmet Burger Kitchen to Boparan. *- Advised a global payment services group on its recapitalization and the implementation of a credit bid acquisition by its secured lenders. ** Experience prior to Katten

Peter Englund

When debt funds, hedge funds, sponsors and borrowers/platforms find themselves in uncharted deal waters, Peter Englund is their safe harbor. He is known for handling complex middle-market debt finance transactions that require a creative approach.Advice that sets clients up for future successFor Peter, a successful deal is one that both funders and borrowers see as the foundation of a beneficial long-term relationship. No matter which side he's on for a particular transaction, he makes it a priority to understand his client's goals and areas of concern. For debt funders, that means keeping in mind their appetite for risk, how they operate and the regulatory environment in which they do business. For borrowers, Peter makes sure financing arrangements won't restrict their day-to-day operations and plans for growth.Peter brings more than 15 years of experience in finance to his deals. Throughout his career, he has taken time away from top law firms to work directly with global financial services institutions, where he assisted with restructurings in Europe and the Middle East, and one of the world's largest multinational gas and oil companies, where he served as senior legal counsel. His diverse experiences make Peter particularly adept at handling deals that don't fit any template and require bespoke structuring. He was very much at home representing a lender in a financing involving 11 jurisdictions in the Caribbean, where neither side nor their advisors had ever done a similar transaction. Peter guided both his fund client and the platform through the deal's tricky requirements.Meanwhile, Peter's repeated work in fintech, alternative finance, hospitality and platform lending give him special insight into deals in those sectors. Knowing what questions to ask helps Peter — and his clients — cut to the issues that matter quickly.Practice Focus- Middle-market debt financings, ranging from US$25-200 million- Domestic, cross-border and multi-jurisdictional transactions- Leveraged and acquisition financings, structured financings, restructurings- Specialty lending and asset-based structures- Borrower, asset and regulatory due diligence- Transactions involving the hotel and leisure, fintech, specialty finance and real estate sectors

Terry Green

As Deputy Managing Partner of Katten's London office, Terry Green is a trusted advisor to social media platforms and digital service providers, family offices and luxury retailers. He serves as a project leader for their international business operations and frequently addresses issues related to financing, regulatory, social media and cybersecurity, litigation, insolvency and corporate matters.Terry focuses on digital service regulation and, in particular, the Online Safety Act (OSA), including laws imposed by the UK Office of Communications (Ofcom), as well as the global nature of the OSA. It will affect all platforms with links to the United Kingdom. He provides straightforward counsel on complicated issues related to social media platforms that often cannot be easily addressed.Always available, always improvingTerry maintains a global practice, which has seen him manage projects for his clients in the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. He makes himself available to his clients at all times and believes in working closely with each of them. Terry listens to their feedback and regularly strives to improve and enhance the value he provides.In all his projects and transactions, Terry aims to ensure that all parties walk away from any deal feeling like they have been treated fairly. He takes a long-term view and knows that one deal, if done correctly, can lead to many more for his clients and their counterparties. That forward-looking approach has been critical when acting for his digital services, high-net-worth and luxury retail clients.A flexible, global approachGiven the global nature of his work, Terry has strong business relationships all over the world. These relationships have proven invaluable when he works on complex matters that require established trust as well as flexibility.Terry applies the same flexibility when investing in his multinational relationships, which includes being open to exploring fee arrangements that work for those clients.Practice Focus- Intellectual Property- Private Wealth

Ryan Hansen

With deep cross-border experience, Ryan Hansen is a trusted adviser to international investment and private fund managers, venture capital firms, sovereign wealth funds, family offices and high-net-worth individuals. His work spans fund formation, corporate governance and marketing, equity and debt financings, mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and reorganizations and restructuring. He helps clients navigate the myriad commercial and regulatory issues that arise in connection with international investment and fundraising activities.Delivering counsel with cross-border vision and a client-centric approachWithin the investment management industry, Ryan provides regular guidance to private fund managers on various topics, including the formation of domestic and offshore funds, the offering of fund interests, investment screening and due diligence, portfolio investment acquisitions and dispositions, and ongoing compliance with US regulatory requirements. He is well-respected in this space, with clients noting that he is "responsive, thorough and approachable." (Legal 500 UK, 2024).Ryan focuses his corporate practice on advising institutional investors, family offices and high-net-worth individuals on their venture capital investments and related financings. He understands the unique needs of emerging companies and helps them achieve their goals through equity and debt financings, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic partnerships, reorganizations and restructurings, and commercial contracts with key customers, suppliers and service providers. Additionally, he provides guidance to public and private companies, sovereign entities and private investors on matters relating to US securities laws, including securities offerings under Regulation D, Regulation S, Rule 144A and other private placement exemptions, as well as compliance with reporting and disclosure requirements from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other self-regulatory organizations (SROs).Ryan also has particular experience in infrastructure development and the energy and natural resources sector, advising oil and gas, commodities, transportation and tourism clients on their large-scale energy, mining and infrastructure projects. Additionally, he regularly assists governments and state-owned entities with natural resource sector laws, regulations and agreements, including the preparation, administration and oversight of production-sharing contracts and related project agreements. He is a trusted adviser on public bid tenders for oil, gas and mineral reserves, cross-border unitization and joint development agreements.Practice Focus - Investments and financings for institutional investors, family offices and high-net-worth individuals- Venture capital- Securities offerings under Regulation D, Regulation S, Rule 144A and other private placement exemptions- SEC and stock exchange reporting and disclosure compliance- Commercial contracts, public bid tenders and infrastructure development agreementsRepresentative Experience- Represented a UK-based venture capital fund and family office on their venture capital investments. *- Represented a US private equity fund sponsor in the formation and marketing of various US and offshore feeder funds. *- Represented a US hedge fund sponsor in the formation and marketing of various US and offshore funds. *- Represented a US venture capital adviser on various secondary transactions in startups and early-stage companies. *- Represented various Middle East-based sovereign wealth funds and pension funds in investments in private equity funds, venture capital funds, and co-investment vehicles and joint ventures. *- Represented a Middle East-based family office in various corporate and commercial transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, investments and corporate structuring matters. *- Represented a Middle Eastern special economic zone, its investment fund and affiliates in venture capital investments and strategic commercial arrangements. *- Represented a US registered investment adviser and affiliated private funds on various transactional, governance and compliance matters, including direct portfolio investments, regulatory filings and disclosures. *- Represented a US-based family office in various private fund investments. *- Represented a Middle East-based industrial manufacturer and its shareholders in connection with a $650 million sale to a strategic buyer. *- Represented a Mexican transportation and logistics company in its SEC reporting and compliance obligations. *- Represented a UK corporate venture capital group in its venture capital investments. *- Represented a US specialty food business in its equity and debt financings, corporate restructurings and commercial arrangements. *- Represented a US provider of reusable rocket and satellite launch services in its equity financing. *- Represented a UK provider of cloud kitchen software in its convertible note financing. *- Represented a US industrial hemp business in its equity financings, restructurings, commercial and joint venture agreements, and international expansion. *- Represented a US manufacturer of military vehicles on its joint venture arrangements with a Middle East-based local partner. ** Experience prior to Katten

Charlotte Hill

Charlotte Hill advises financial institutions, fintech companies, digital asset businesses, investment managers and private capital market participants on UK and EU financial services regulation. With extensive experience advising on the regulatory frameworks administered by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), as well as the evolving body of UK and EU financial services legislation, Charlotte helps clients navigate complex regulatory challenges with clear, commercially focused advice.Strategic regulatory counsel for evolving financial marketsCharlotte is particularly recognised for her work in fintech, payments and digital assets. She advises challenger banks, payment services providers, e-money issuers, crypto firms, investment platforms, crowdfunding platforms, investment managers and international banking groups on regulatory strategy, market entry, governance arrangements, safeguarding and client money requirements, new product development and ongoing compliance obligations.Charlotte’s practice encompasses ongoing regulatory advisory work, transactional regulatory support and strategic counsel on business expansion and innovation. She has extensive experience advising on payment services and e-money regulation, digital assets, cryptoassets, blockchain technology and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. Clients seek her counsel on the practical application of complex regulatory frameworks, including financial promotions, anti-money laundering requirements, consumer protection obligations, regulatory perimeter issues and senior management and governance arrangements.Charlotte is known for combining technical regulatory expertise with a pragmatic understanding of clients' commercial objectives. She regularly advises boards, senior management teams and founders on governance, regulatory risk and engagement with regulators. Her clients range from global financial institutions managing cross-border regulatory strategies to entrepreneurial businesses bringing innovative products and services to market.Clients quoted in The Legal 500 have described Charlotte as having "vast experience in the UK financial services sector" and praised her for providing "high-quality work", while noting that she is both "very knowledgeable" and "very approachable."A recognised commentator on developments in financial services regulation, digital assets and emerging technologies, Charlotte is also a frequent speaker at industry conferences, Women in Finance events and regulatory roundtables. Her presentations focus on the practical implications of regulatory change for market participants, while media outlets regularly seek her commentary and thought leadership on developments across the sector. As an active member of CryptoUK, she contributes to the organisation's responses to UK regulatory consultations. She participates in industry and parliamentary roundtables on digital assets, fintech and financial services regulation.Practice Focus- Financial services regulation in the UK and EU- Payments and e-money regulation- Client money and safeguarding- Digital assets, cryptoassets and blockchain technology- Fintech, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies- Regulatory advisory, market entry and new product development- Corporate governance and senior management arrangementsRepresentative Experience- Advised a luxury fashion digital marketplace on the application of the Commercial Agents Exclusion and payments issues arising from new product launches. *- Advised a US payroll payments platform on its application for payment services authorisation in the UK and coordinated associated regulatory advice across multiple jurisdictions. *- Advised a leading cryptocurrency derivatives exchange on FCA registration requirements, financial promotions compliance and wider authorisation and regulatory perimeter issues applicable to cryptoasset businesses. *- Advised a cryptoasset technology provider on compliance with the FCA's financial promotions regime for cryptoassets and related regulatory obligations. *- Advised a US asset manager on the marketing of investment funds in the UK and the EU under the National Private Placement Regime. *- Advised clients in relation to FCA and PRA supervisory engagement, including regulatory visits, authorisation matters, change-in-control applications and enforcement-related issues. ** Experience prior to Katten

Christopher Hitchins

Christopher Hitchins has specialised in employment law for nearly 25 years, advising clients on all aspects of company operations. Chris helps his clients navigate workplace challenges, with their culture and enhancing their employer reputation at the forefront of his advice. His knowledge and experience enable him to advise on the full spectrum of employment issues faced by employers with large or small, growing workforces.Representing clients across all sectors, Chris is particularly active in the financial services, luxury brands and retail, and hospitality and leisure industries. His practice encompasses traditional employment matters, including employment litigation, as well as broader areas such as workplace investigations, data privacy, benefits, reputation management and commercial issues. He also helps employers design strategies to incentivise workers, raise workforce standards and take other action to realise their goals and values as a company. In addition, he regularly represents senior executives in negotiations and disputes.HR counsel that enhances management efficiencyChris and his team add value for clients by finding ways to conform with the law that enhance their retention and recruitment efforts while also reducing legal risk.For employers, he handles all day-to-day employment law and human resource compliance issues that may arise, including employment litigation (in the Employment Tribunal, and the enforcement of post-termination restrictions in the High Court), and traditional advisory matters for example involving onboarding, family-friendly rights, holiday pay, performance management, disputes and exits, as well as broader areas such as the GDPR, in particular Subject Access Requests, modern slavery compliance, anti-money-laundering and immigration issues. With extensive international expertise, he also helps clients' businesses operate effectively across borders.Whether Chris is defending employers in a discrimination case, drafting employment contracts or designing benefits policies, he helps his clients manage HR matters more efficiently. They are free to focus on expanding their businesses, secure that they have counsel taking a cost-effective and consistent approach to issues across their workforce, enhancing their reputation as a good place to work. Providing that security is what makes Chris a long-term, trusted adviser to his clients.Practice Focus- Day-to-day employment law advice- Employment contracts, benefits and incentives- Data privacy obligations and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)- Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE) Regulations- Employment tribunals and High Court litigation- General commercial contracts

Carolyn Jackson

Carolyn Jackson helps clients solve complex cross-border issues involving the regulation of financial institutions and financial products, including derivatives. Carolyn's depth of knowledge and practical approach are shaped by her first-hand experience: she managed the New York trading desk of several investment banks and was formerly the executive director of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Trading firms, banks, asset managers, clearing houses and trading venues rely on her to find creative-yet-sensible solutions.Solving cross-border puzzlesClients with international financial operations regularly face cross-border regulatory challenges. Carolyn is adept at solving these compliance puzzles, which often involve adherence to the Dodd-Frank Act, the European Market Infrastructure Regulation and other foreign financial laws. When necessary, she crafts innovative solutions by restructuring financial products or business operations or by obtaining regulatory relief.Carolyn doesn't see most regulations as obstacles. When a US stock exchange's acquisition of a foreign clearing house created issues under Dodd-Frank, she worked with the client to restructure operations to eliminate these issues. For another foreign client concerned about the effect of Brexit on its trading business, Carolyn helped it set up new structures and compliance systems to continue its operations. She also helps clients with day-to-day compliance issues, including, for instance, creating multijurisdictional employee-training programs.As both a New York and English qualified lawyer, Carolyn is well placed to address cross-border financial regulatory issues.Practice Focus- Financial industry regulation and compliance- Financial industry licensing- Cross-border regulatory issues- Regulatory reform solutions

Jennifer Kafcas

Head of the Structured Products and Derivatives practice, Jennifer Kafcas has over 20 years’ experience representing major investment banks and private equity funds with respect to derivatives products, whether as a stand-alone transaction or an integral part of a leveraged finance, a high-yield bond issuance, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), a project or an infrastructure transaction, including on a finance-linked or deal-contingent basis.Trusted adviser for sophisticated derivatives transactionsHer team is one of the only go-to full-service derivatives practices for finance-linked swap and deal-contingent transactions in the market. Taking an innovative approach, Jen’s team not only advises on the derivatives aspects of a transaction, but also on (a) finance-linked swap transactions and the underlying financing documentation; and (b) deal-contingent transactions involving regulatory, antitrust and other deal-closing conditions in infrastructure/projects and M&A corporate transactions. This broader perspective enables clients to evaluate the transaction holistically and analyze risk and deal certainty in the context of a derivatives instrument.Seven major investment banks, which routinely consult Jen — and certain of them on an exclusive basis — value and trust Jen and the London team on all aspects of structured finance and derivatives law and practice across all major asset classes. Having worked on some of the most high-profile transactions in the Asian, European, UK, US and Latin American markets, she brings strong market intelligence and sound structuring counsel to any transaction.Clients value the work and the constant attention Jen provides to their businesses. In particular, a major investment banking client was quoted in the Legal 500, noting that Jen and her team are “the best on the street by far … always timely, proactive and commercial.”Jen is a regular participant on International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) committees and was a market trailblazer with respect to London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) replacement, writing more than 38 articles and blogs on the subject.Practice Focus- Derivatives and structured finance, including finance-linked and deal-contingent transactions- Derivatives across major asset classes- Complex structured products, including credit-linked notes, risk participations, fund-level financings and repackaging structures- Crypto derivatives and digital asset-linked financing solutions- Global transactional support for large-scale financings and infrastructure projects- ISDA documentation and committee involvementRepresentative Experience- Counseled a major investment bank in its capacity as mandated hedge provider in relation to the financing aspects of a £4.2 billion acquisition, one of the largest European private equity buyouts since the coronavirus pandemic. *- Counseled a major investment bank in connection with a complex deal-contingent transaction relating to a take-private transaction involving a consortium of private equity funds' £1.4 billion recommended cash offer for a major public limited company. *- Counseled a major investment bank in its capacity as hedge coordinator on two finance packages worth approximately €1 billion relating to the construction and maintenance of 15 stations on the Barcelona Metro. *- Counseled a major investment bank in structuring a complex deal-contingent derivative product in connection with a €1.6 billion investment in a wind farm in Germany. *- Counseled a major investment bank in structuring a complex deal-contingent derivative product in connection with acquisition finance for a major Portuguese fibre business valued at €630 million. *- Counseled a major investment bank in connection with multiple complex deal-contingent transactions forming part of a top-tier private equity infrastructure fund's $630 million investment in Brazilian renewable energy. *- Counseled a major US bank in connection with its commodity trading business lines worth $750 million. ** Experience prior to Katten

Nathaniel Lalone

Nathaniel Lalone is a dual-qualified lawyer (England, New York) and a rising leader in the field of providing cross-border regulatory and compliance advice to market infrastructures as well as sell- and buy-side firms active in the over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, futures and securities markets. Nate is sought out by clients for his ability to manage their legal and regulatory risks while helping them achieve their commercial goals.Innovative solutions to the most complex questionsSince the financial crisis, regulation of financial markets and products has increased considerably, which has challenged existing market structures while prompting a wave of innovations and new ways of thinking. Incumbents and disruptors are both competing to bring groundbreaking solutions to market while contending with overlapping, and sometimes contradictory, legal and compliance obligations. Drawing on his vast cross-border experience, and his deep understanding of both US and UK/EU law and regulation, Nate is able to draw simplicity out of complexity and to provide clients with commercially sensible solutions to cutting-edge, and often first-of-their kind, questions.Nate received his master's degree and doctorate from Cambridge, where he studied EU politics with a focus on financial services. He was a 2004 Fulbright Scholar to the European Union.Practice Focus- Financial services- Financial services regulatory and compliance- Futures and derivatives- Financial market infrastructures- Proprietary trading firms- Quantitative and algorithmic trading- Securitization and structured finance

Thomas Laurer

With over two decades of experience in the investment management and strategic corporate sectors, Thomas Laurer has built a reputation as a problem solver in the global financial landscape. He is a trusted advisor for a diverse range of clients — from financial institutions and investment managers to sovereign wealth funds, multinational companies, family offices and other high-net-worth investors.Strategic investment management counsel in a transatlantic settingThomas is highly skilled when it comes to providing legal, regulatory and commercial guidance on a variety of investment strategies, whether they involve public or private equity, debt, venture capital, real estate, commodities or other asset classes. His clients appreciate his knack for navigating complex investments with ease and precision and note that he is "more personally invested in the process with rapid response times." (Legal 500 UK, 2024) The combination of Thomas's skills and extensive experience positions him as a highly sought-after advisor for individuals and entities aiming to raise or allocate substantial amounts of capital.What sets Thomas apart is his ability to practice law across the United States, England and Europe. Having worked extensively in New York and London, he has a deep understanding of the legal and business systems in the EU, UK and the United States, which allows him to provide comprehensive and cross-border counsel.Practice Focus- Strategies for and structuring of investment funds- Cross-border investments- Venture capital- Regulatory and compliance- Family offices and high-net-worth investment guidance

Daniel Lewin

Daniel Lewin’s wide-ranging tax practice spans many industries, including corporate, finance, technology, investment management and family offices. Daniel also has particular experience advising on sponsor, investor and investment fund structuring for private equity, venture capital, hedge, debt, infrastructure and sovereign wealth funds.He regularly provides transaction support for cross-border transactions including acquisitions, disposals, financings and joint ventures, delivering successful results for his London and international clients by instructing and coordinating with foreign counsel, and closely liaising with the client’s commercial needs.Incredibly personable, collaborative and forward-thinkingDaniel’s strong focus on investment funds and familiarity with standard onshore and offshore jurisdictions, including the United States, United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Ireland, and the Channel and Cayman Islands positions him to give sound structuring guidance on all aspects of investment management across multiple jurisdictions, including establishing the fund management vehicle, tax-efficient management group setup and fund formation. Clients can also rely on Daniel to counsel them on tax-efficient financing structures for UK and international loans, real estate finance, securitizations, treaty relief and subsidiary structures, early to later stage venture capital financings and mitigation of tax withholdings.In addition to his work related to investment funds, Daniel advises family offices and high-net-worth individuals on various personal and investment tax matters related to UK tax residency, non-domiciliary (remittance basis) taxation, UK or offshore investments and co-investments, board composition and residence, offshore trust structures and compliance issues. He is the principal co-author of Practical Law Tax’s note on the taxation of UK hedge funds.Practice Focus- Investment management- Venture capital and private equity- Corporate transactions- Mergers and acquisitions- Family offices- Real estate finance- Tax compliance

Joe Payne

Joe Payne is a commercial litigator and advisor, who industry publications describe as "an excellent lawyer who fights his cause well." Joe focuses on the business priority behind every legal issue. He helps clients in protecting the value of their investments and assets and in identifying and mitigating their commercial and regulatory risks. He regularly advises and represents clients in cross-jurisdictional transactions and disputes.Focused advice and strong commercial understandingRecognized as a leading litigator in industry publications like Chambers UK and Legal 500, Joe Payne was described by clients as "impressively commercial," for "command[ing] respect across the market" and for his "focused advice and strong commercial understanding." Joe has also been described as being "a lawyer who never gives in, he is tenacious and impossible to ignore."Joe represents corporate clients across a range of sectors, including aviation, real estate and financial services. Joe is a solicitor advocate, often appearing in the High Court. He represents clients in all forms of alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration, mediation and expert determination.Practice Focus- Business disputes and commercial litigation (including insolvency issues and cross‑jurisdictional disputes)- Arbitration and other forms of alternative dispute resolution- Compliance and risk-avoidance issuesRepresentative Experience - Advise aircraft leasing company on English security, enforcement and insolvency issues.- Advise aircraft manufacturer on English insolvency and enforcement issues arising from sales agreement with airline.- Represent client in enforcement of covenants relating to valuable parking rights benefitting substantial West End property.- Represent client in arbitrations concerning rent review provisions in leases.- Represent client in obtaining in England a judgment against BVI airline company and enforcing that judgement overseas.- Represent financial services business in securing in Privy Council the dismissal of proceedings commenced in Gibraltar by US trustee in bankruptcy.- Represent hospitality business in obtaining worldwide freezing injunction relating to assets owned by an employee who engaged in theft.- Represent individual in securing discharge of worldwide freezing injunction obtained in relation to overseas property transaction.- Represent individual in obtaining injunction preventing development that would breach right of light.- Advise aircraft leasing company on insurance claim arising from fatal air accident.- Represent ICC arbitration relating to African mine.

Victoria Procter

Victoria Procter advises corporations, funds, directors, accountants, insolvency practitioners, receivers and other stakeholders on all aspects of corporate restructurings, turnarounds, formal insolvencies and distressed financings.Finding practical solutions for clientsVictoria's experience includes consensual transactions such as refinancings and the disposal of assets, and she is also experienced in using formal tools such as restructuring plans and administrations.Representative Experience- Represented a national bar and hospitality operator in proposing a successful restructuring plan, alongside a public market equity raise and refinancing. *- Represented a major discount retail chain in its successful restructuring plan. *- Represented a major discount retail chain in its successful restructuring plan. *- Represented administrators handling multiple energy supply insolvency processes. *- Represented a flooring and home improvement retailer in its acquisition of the business and selected assets from another retailer in administration. *- Represented the joint administrators of a large casual dining restaurant group. *- Represented a regional brewery in its refinancing, acting on behalf of a specialist investment firm. ** Experience prior to Katten

Neil Robson

Neil Robson decodes complex UK and EU regulations to provide practical regulatory and compliance advice to financial services firms. He represents a range of financial market participants — hedge and private equity fund managers, investment advisors, broker-dealers and proprietary traders — that are based or doing business in the UK or the EU. Neil's extensive working knowledge of this complicated sector allows his clients to both meet their business objectives and satisfy regulatory requirements.Proactive compliance counsel that keeps financial services firms thriving, nimbleNeil's ultimate goal for each one of his clients is for them to confidently run their firms and thrive within the complex regulatory environment in which they operate. That means ensuring everything they do — from day-to-day business functions and cross-border interactions to launching products and new funds — stands up to the closest regulatory scrutiny.A significant part of Neil's work involves helping his clients stay nimble in the face of changing laws and regulations or uncertain circumstances. He assisted an international multibillion AUM fund management group, for example, with a restructuring to ensure uninterrupted operations in the event of a "no deal" Brexit. This included forming new entities across Europe and restructuring client relationships across the EU, the UK and United States and working through complicated regulatory, personnel and tax issues. Whatever the scope of an engagement, Neil provides responsive and agile advice aimed at satisfying his client's commercial objectives.Practice Focus - Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) authorization and compliance issues- Regulatory capital requirements- Reporting and disclosure obligations- Formations and buyouts- Structuring and marketing of investment funds and other products- Data privacy and GDPR compliance- Financial crime prevention (market abuse, anti-money laundering, anti-bribery and international financial sanctions compliance)Representative Experience- Represent UK and other fund managers in relation to impact of AIFM Directive on their ongoing operations including authorization/registration, delegation, restructuring, marketing, disclosure and remuneration issues.- Advise activist fund manager in connection with its UK acquisitions, including reporting issues under UK takeover rules, concert party issues and negotiations with UK Panel on Takeovers and Mergers.- Represent US proprietary trading firms in establishing UK subsidiaries, obtaining FCA-authorized status in the United Kingdom and passporting cross-border within European Union.- Advise numerous start-up managers in connection with structuring, establishment and FCA authorization of their UK operations- Represent significant UK-based commodity trading adviser in restructuring its management operations to limit (1) FCA regulatory capital requirements and (2) impact of AIFM Directive, with establishment of non-EEA AIFM entity and appropriate levels of overseas substance to meet minimum regulatory requirements.- Advise institutional investment manager in connection with impact of EU and international sanctions on its business.- Advise on structure of new UK crowd-funding business, including the FCA regulatory regimes.- Advise clients on financial crime, bribery and corruption prevention, including staff training and implementing protective measures in the form of adequate procedures, due diligence and contractual protections.

Charlotte Sallabank

When multinational corporations consider major transactions, tax implications often make or break the deal. Charlotte Sallabank advises on those implications, advising clients on the direct and indirect tax consequences of their largest business decisions. Her creativity, persuasive power and close attention to her clients' business aspirations consistently result in solutions that make them a reality.A complete perspective on tax-planning issuesWith more than 30 years of experience advising on transactions valued in hundreds of millions of dollars or more, Charlotte understands that providing a technical tax analysis of a given transaction is not enough. Nor is it enough to gain a deep understanding of the business motives behind a deal, as Charlotte does. She goes further and considers all perspectives that can impact the success of a transaction. In her work for large public companies, for instance, she takes care to consider the sensitivities that directors and shareholders bring to tax issues, as well as the increasing importance of environmental, social and governance issues in tax related matters. That level of thinking can avoid adverse public opinion, strained relations with regulators and other unintended consequences of tax planning.Charlotte represents major banks, financial institutions, private equity houses and fund managers in addition to large corporations. Given the nature her clients, the transactions that she advises on often have a cross-border element. That was true of a multinational undergoing a global reorganization timed to coincide with a change in US tax law. With 24 hours left before the deadline, the client turned to Charlotte to solve a deal-breaking tax problem that was holding up UK tax approval. She did. It's just one of many major transactions in which her contribution made all the difference.Practice Focus- Tax, and Environmental, Social and Governance- Structured and asset-backed financings- Mergers and acquisitions- Cross-border transactions- Joint venture structuring- Financings of high-value assets such as aircraft, ships and power stations- Dispute resolution for tax controversiesRepresentative Experience - Represented private equity client on tax aspects of the acquisition of a fabless semiconductor company for $396 million and its acquisition financing.- Represented a cryptocurrency blockchain developer in respect of the tax aspects of its global reorganisation and establishment of a head office in the UK.- Successfully represented two taxpayers in a tax enquiry by the UK tax authority (HMRC) Fraud Investigation Service with the result that HMRC withdrew all allegations of fraudulent, tax evasive or tax avoidance behaviour.- Represented major global financial services provider in a leading UK tax anti-avoidance case before the House of Lords.  *- Advised airlines and finance lessors on structured acquisitions of aircraft and engines.  ** Experience prior to Katten

Nathan Smith

Nathan Smith's practice focuses on all aspects of soft intellectual property and the protection, exploitation, monetization and enforcement of his clients' rights worldwide. His diverse client base covers a range of industries, including technology, financial services, telecommunications, fashion, entertainment, retail and life sciences.On the noncontentious side, Nathan advises public and private companies on global trademark clearance and provides trademark, copyright and design right counseling. He conducts multinational searches to advise on the availability of proposed brand names and works to secure necessary rights around the world.Nathan also has a wealth of experience advising on the acquisition, sale and licensing of intellectual property and technology assets, including the structuring, drafting and negotiating of international and domestic strategic licenses, joint ventures, franchise agreements, supply and distribution and sponsorship agreements. Additionally, Nathan advises clients on the IP and technology aspects of corporate transactions. He also represents clients in the life sciences industry in complex collaborations and licensing transactions.In his contentious practice, Nathan is a tenacious advocate for his client's global IP rights. He has extensive experience in domestic and international IP and commercial litigation and arbitration, including numerous high-profile cases before the UK Supreme Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union. He also has a long history of success in contentious actions before the UK Intellectual Property Office, the European Union Intellectual Property Office and in many domain name disputes before Nominet, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and other domain name bodies.Commercially sophisticated counsel with a personable touchPrior to joining Katten, Nathan worked at another global law firm. His proven track record, combined with his highly responsive and personable approach to client service, has earned him recognition as a leading practitioner in World IP Review's UK Trade Mark Rankings and Managing Intellectual Property's list of IP Stars. He provides innovative solutions to help his clients achieve their objectives through a combination of legal knowledge and commercial insight. With his comprehensive skill set, Nathan is a long-term trusted advisor to his clients.Representative ExperienceRepresentative Contentious Experience- Represented the corporate owner of one of the world's leading fashion brands in a trademark ownership and infringement dispute between its shareholders. *- Represented a well-known British retailer in successful trademark infringement and passing off proceedings in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court. *- Represented a leading regulatory software platform in connection with a trademark infringement and passing off dispute. *- Represented an international telecommunications company in its trademark infringement and passing off the case against another major media company, in the first passing-off case to be heard by the UK Supreme Court in 30 years. *- Represented an international business in respect of a dispute with the heirs to the estate of a late-world chef and restauranteur regarding trademark ownership and use. *- Represented one of the world's leading online fashion retailers, in its successful defense, before both the High Court and the Court of Appeal, of trademark infringement cases brought against it by a Swiss cycling company. The dispute lasted five years and involved satellite litigation and trademark oppositions globally, including in France, Hong Kong, the US and Germany. *- Represented a well-known kitchen appliance brand in successfully defending against a rival’s allegations of passing off and trademark infringement relating to a new food mixer. *- Represented a fashion brand in a successful claim against a multinational retail chain in the ground-breaking trial in the Irish Commercial Court concerning design infringement of fashion designs. This was the first time the EU Community Design Regulation has been litigated in Ireland. *- Represented a foreign exchange company in their successful trademark infringement and passing off claim against a competitor. *- Represented a Singapore-based beauty and lifestyle company in defense of a trademark and passing off case brought against it by a leading UK waxing salon. *Representative Noncontentious Experience- Represented a leading technology firm in its acquisition of an AI-powered supply chain intelligence platform. *- Represented a global packaging company in a €2.25 billion transaction involving the sale of its European tinplate manufacturing business to an affiliate of a leading private equity firm. *- Represented a premier brand management company on the sale of a well-known apparel brand. *- Represented a sports company in a strategic merger with an AI sports technology company in an all-share merger valued at approximately US$100 million. *- Represented a prominent telecommunications organization in the sale of its stake in a European fixed telecommunications operator to another major telecommunications company. The transaction valued the target company at approximately €497 million. *- Represented a leading international vodka brand in connection with its distribution arrangements in the UK. *- Represented a global biopharmaceutical company in respect of its exclusive in-license, distribution and supply agreements with another pharmaceutical company for a suite of oncology-related products. *- Represented a digital intelligence company on its cross-border acquisition of a software company that provides a process intelligence platform empowering users to understand, optimize and monitor business processes. *- Represented a software development firm in connection with a definitive agreement for its acquisition by a private equity firm. The transaction had an enterprise value of approximately $2 billion. *- Represented a financial institution on the spin-out and sale of its electronic payments and card services business for US$185 million. ** Experience prior to Katten

Edward Tran

Edward advises clients worldwide on corporate and transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private equity, joint ventures, fund investments, co-investments and other direct investment transactions, equity and debt financings, and corporate governance matters. He is based in the London office and has practiced law in New York and Silicon Valley. Edward regularly counsels clients on cross-border matters involving the UK, the broader EMEA region, the United States and Asia.International advisor to clients across industriesEdward represents a range of clients including institutional investors, private equity firms, real estate private equity funds, venture capital funds, hedge funds, sponsors, investment managers, family offices, financial institutions and corporations across a wide range of sectors, including real estate, financial services, technology, manufacturing, oil and gas, and logistics.Edward regularly advises investors on fund investments, co-investments and indirect investments in real estate assets. He frequently assists clients on joint venture arrangements, club deals, closed-end funds, separate managed accounts and other investments where real estate is the underlying asset.Edward also counsels charities on cross-border structuring and governance matters.Practice Focus- M&A- Private equity- Joint ventures- Real estate private equity- Corporate governanceRepresentative Experience- Represented pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and other institutional investors on a range of investment transactions.- Represented Areim AB on SAGA Joint Venture which plans to have a gross asset value of €1.5 billion and will focus exclusively on key European markets, including France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, and the related acquisition of assets.- Represented a US asset manager in connection with the restructuring of certain aspects of its European private equity business and other corporate matters.- Represented a US pension fund in connection with debt and equity investments in US real estate assets and other asset management matters.- Represented joint venture partners in connection with acquisition of the JV interests held by a third partner, the restructuring of the JV and the sale and leaseback of the JV’s real estate assets.- Represented a family office in connection with the sale of a global shipping and harbor terminals business.- Represented a UK-based manager in connection with the structuring of an investment vehicle, formation of a joint venture entity and related acquisition of a £300 million hospitality business.- Represented a UK-based investment firm in connection with the acquisition of various hotel and leisure businesses in the UK, including structuring the arrangements for the consortium funding the transaction.- Representing an Asian private equity fund in connection with its joint venture with a UK partner.- Representing a joint venture vehicle backed by a consortium of Asia-based investors in connection with the purchase of a data centre by the JV and the negotiation of the related joint venture arrangements.- Represented Niya Partners as the lead investor in a $20 million Series A financing of Kapital, a Mexican fintech company providing a platform for small- and medium-sized businesses to support their financial needs in terms of capital solutions, cash flow considerations, investments and credit facilities.- Representing a US fund investor in connection with an investment in a UK-based emerging growth business in the retail sector.- Represented global real estate fund sponsor, asset manager and developer in various real estate investments, disposals, joint ventures, syndications and recapitalisations in Europe. *- Represented investor in the sale and leaseback of hospital properties in the United Kingdom. *- Represented sovereign wealth funds and pension funds in investments in private equity funds, real estate funds, co-investment vehicles and joint ventures. *- Represented a cross-border credit fund in the acquisition of a portfolio comprised of non-performing loans. *- Represented a REIT in its capacity as a financing provider and development partner in the management buy-out of a developer/operator of senior care homes in the United Kingdom. *- Represented a Middle East-based family office in acquisitions, dispositions, investments and corporate structuring matters. *- Represented marine terminal service provider in the acquisition of global ports and terminals business, as well as various other acquisitions and joint ventures. *- Represented a Fortune 500 company in the acquisition of a business based in the Middle East and the buyout of its joint venture partner's stake in a joint venture. *- Represented satellite company on various matters including its debt and equity investments in, and acquisition of, a satellite-based communications system. *- Represented US asset manager in its European private equity funds, including structuring and joint venture matters. *- Represented an international fund in its acquisition of a school assessment business. *- Represented a Middle East-based business group and its shareholders in a strategic transaction involving a private equity fund. ** Experience prior to Katten

Alvino Van Schalkwyk

Alvino van Schalkwyk is a results-oriented lawyer with a broad and sophisticated practice at the intersection of derivatives, structured products and complex financial transactions. He regularly represents major investment banks, private equity funds and corporate clients across UK, European and US markets, advising on the structuring of derivatives products and related transactions involving derivatives and other financial instruments. As a member of our Structured Products and Derivatives team, which is ranked by Chambers and The Legal 500 United Kingdom, Alvino has the know-how to execute high-quality derivatives transactions across a spectrum of product types and asset classes.A trusted derivatives advisorClients turn to Alvino not only for his technical command of derivatives law, but also for the practical and commercial perspective he brings to every engagement. Having been on secondment with two major financial institutions, coupled with the independent relationships he’s developed with legal and business teams at some of the largest financial institutions, Alvino understands how clients think, how their internal teams operate and what they need from outside counsel. His practice is grounded in delivering strategic, commercially driven counsel, allowing him to function as a true extension of his clients' legal and business teams.Alvino is recognized for his work advising on derivatives that are integral to leveraged finance transactions, high‑yield bond issuances, and major project and infrastructure deals. He also advises major financial institutions on the fund-level hedging transactions with major fund sponsors. He has particular experience in fixed income and foreign exchange, fund hedging, and holding company (Holdco) and private equity-level derivatives transactions.In addition, Alvino actively participates in the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) and stays current with its latest documentation and developments.Focus AreasDerivatives and structured productsFixed income, foreign exchange and commoditiesRepurchase transactionsSecurities lendingStandalone ISDA negotiationsPrime broker documentationFund sponsor hedgingRepresentative ExperienceAssisted a major investment bank in providing hedging for a $5 billion multi-credit fund relating to the issuance of $3 billion senior secured notes and $1 billion junior secured notes. *Assisted major financial institutions in providing a fund-level hedging solution to sponsors. *Assisted a major financial institution in the review of hedge counterparty’s terms in Intercreditor Agreements and Facilities Agreements and prepared and negotiated loan-linked ISDA master agreements. *Advised a major investment bank in its capacity as hedge coordinator on two finance packages worth approximately EUR 1 billion relating to the construction and maintenance of 15 stations on the Barcelona Metro. *Advised a major investment bank in connection with a complex deal contingent transaction in relation to a take-private transaction of a consortium of private equity funds’ £1.4 billion recommended cash offer for a major PLC. *Advised a major investment bank in its capacity as mandated hedge provider in relation to the financing aspects of a £4.2 billion acquisition. The deal was one of the largest European private equity buyouts since the coronavirus pandemic. *Advised a major financial institution in respect of Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (CMBS) transactions. *Advised a major financial institution with respect to its LIBOR remediation process as a result of the discountenance of LIBOR. *Assisted various financial institutions and corporate clients in negotiating ISDA Master Agreements and swap transactions. *Advised clients with respect to the application of UK EMIR and associated derivative regulations to their derivative transactions. *Advised a US investment firm in the launch of its ca. $1.2 billion fund with respect to derivatives documentation. *Assisted an Islamic central bank in creating securities lending agreement templates for local bank counterparties. ** Experience prior to Katten

Gavin Vollans

Gavin Vollans helps and supports clients with a wide range of real estate investment matters. Working with multi-family offices, pension funds, hotel groups, apart-hotel operators, national property investment companies, high net worth individuals, collective investors and asset/fund managers, Gavin advises on investment acquisitions and sales, development, joint ventures, forward funding, borrower-side finance as well as corporate occupier landlord and tenant matters. Furthermore, Gavin has represented building societies and banks with regards to disposal of distressed assets, as well as represented investors purchasing distressed assets from receivers or administrators.A collaborative, efficient approach to real estate investmentsBy offering excellent deal management, working with the whole team — including third parties — assessing issues early and closing them off quickly, Gavin moves his clients' transactions through to close more quickly and with an approach that clients trust. Gavin's recent work has included a number of pension fund forward fundings and investment acquisitions (some of which are from receivers or administrators), central London office acquisitions, hotel financings and portfolio acquisitions.Practice Focus- Real estate investment- Real estate development- Asset management- Finance- Landlord and tenant- Hotel and leisure industries

Charles Wakiwaka

Leveraging strong technical skills and sharp business insight, Charles Wakiwaka guides clients across the London and broader European markets through sophisticated derivatives and complex financing structures, including bespoke collateral and insurance arrangements.A sophisticated approach to derivatives and structured financeWith deep experience across the derivatives and structured finance landscape, Charles advises buy-side and sell-side market participants on cash and synthetic transactions spanning numerous asset classes, including fixed income, equities, credit and commodities. His work includes finance-linked hedging, deal‑contingent instruments, fund syndication and structured notes, and his practice also extends across repackaging transactions, credit-linked deposits, bespoke fund investments and related collateral or insurance arrangements.Charles's perspective is further enriched by his prior secondment with Goldman Sachs, where he provided senior‑level support to multiple trading desks, an experience that continues to add meaningful value to client relationships. His client base includes investment banks, insurance and reinsurance companies, issuers and investors in funds and other structured products, all of whom rely on his ability to navigate intricate matters ranging from securitization structures and structured note programs to margin loans, equity derivatives, collateral arrangements and regulatory compliance initiatives.Practice Focus- Derivatives and structured finance, including finance-linked hedging and deal-contingent transactions- Cash and synthetic transactions across major asset classes, including fixed income, equities, credit and commodities- Complex structured products, including structured notes, credit-linked deposits, repackaging transactions and bespoke fund investments- Equity derivatives, margin loans and collateralised financing structures- Securitisation structures, structured note programmes and fund syndication arrangements- Collateral, insurance and reinsurance arrangements for structured finance and intermediation transactionsRepresentative Experience- Represented a consortium of investment banks in structuring a deal contingent hedging in relation to $12 billion debt financing for the 49% acquisition of a national oil and energy corporation's pipelines. *- Represented several leading investment banks in structuring deal contingent hedging in both M&A and project finance, and related syndication to hedge funds and inter-dealer trades. *- Represented originators and hedge providers on various securitization structures including RMBS, CMBS, master trust and whole business securitizations. *- Represented issuers on the establishment and update of structured note programmes and advised both issuers and investors in relation to numerous issuances and listings of structured notes, including equity-linked notes, credit-linked notes and bespoke rates issuances. *- Represented the arranger on the structuring and repackaging of a partial guarantee of Ecuador's social bond, the first-ever sovereign social bond, which provides affordable housing for medium to low-income families. *- Represented a consortium of investment banks on a margin loan structured as funded equity derivatives over a basket of listed shares in Spain. *- Represented a major investment bank on funded collar transactions over listed shares in South Africa. *- Represented a major insurance company on collateral arrangements for intermediation and pass-through structures in relation to a large longevity insurance project. *- Represented a major investment bank on structured repo transactions referencing Japanese government bonds, and GMSLA netting opinion for Korean and Taiwan product annexes. *- Represented a major insurance broker on structured fund investments by reinsurers and related collateral and retrocession arrangements. *- Represented a global trade finance technology firm on the establishment of a funding programme for the origination and distribution of trade receivables. *- Advising on various equity and index-linked products, including a synthetic ETF fully funded swap arrangement, sub-participation and security arrangements, and CPPI trades referencing a proprietary index as the premium asset. *- Advising on various credit-linked deposit arrangements, including self-referencing reciprocal or cross-deposit extinguisher arrangements. *- Advising on various commodities-linked arrangements, including asset-backed metals programmes for both issuer and FX/repo counterparties, and off-taker oil price hedging. *- Advising major financial institutions on various regulatory projects and industry-wide initiatives, including EMIR compliance, Brexit and IBOR transition. ** Experience prior to Katten

Brigitte Wood

Brigitte Wood (née Weaver) focuses on employment and partnership matters predominately in the financial services sector. Brigitte's contentious experience covers commercial disputes, Employment Tribunal claims and High Court litigation with extensive experience in restrictive covenant disputes. Her noncontentious experience comprises international employment and partnership structuring and governance advice, data protection, employee relations advisory matters, including statutory employment rights, incentivization and benefits, complex Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulatory conduct issues as well as corporate support on private equity and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions.Employment counsel that complements a company's culture and brandBrigitte handles the full range of partnership and employment law issues from day-to-day human resources (HR) queries to tribunal and high court litigation, corporate transactions (both M&A and private equity), incentivization, limited liability partnership (LLP) agreements and data privacy. While predominantly working with financial services clients (investment banking, trading and funds) who operate in the UK and internationally, her clients come from a wide range of industries, including property, hospitality and leisure.Brigitte encourages clients to consider what motivates someone to pursue a claim and how it impacts the wider workforce. Other considerations are the effect on a company's reputation as an employer in their market as well as overall employee productivity and incentivization.Practice Focus- Employment law and litigation- Privacy, data and cybersecurity