Katten Muchin Rosenman UK LLP announced today that corporate and commercial law attorney Philip Watkins will join Katten’s Corporate practice together with a team of associates. The group follows the recent hires of hospitality and leisure specialist Robert Asher, and leading hedge fund and private equity attorney Barry Breen, who both joined Katten late last year.
“We continue to expand our footprint in London and these new attorneys reflect the commitment to our strategic growth in this key financial center,” said Vincent A.F. Sergi, Katten Chairman.
Mr. Watkins and his team have broad experience advising corporations and private equity investors both in the United Kingdom and internationally. They specialise in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, takeover offers, strategic investments and divestments, joint ventures, and public and private securities offerings. Mr. Watkins has an active pro bono practice and has considerable experience advising English charities and nonprofit organizations. He is also a founder member of the Practitioners’ Advisory Board of the Masters of Corporate Law at the University of Cambridge. Prior to his legal career, Mr. Watkins worked in Japan as a cultural adviser to the Japanese government.
Mr. Asher, working with Katten’s Real Estate group, concentrates his practice on matters related to the hospitality industry in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He has extensive experience and expertise dealing with hotel management agreements. His clients include hotel operating companies, sovereign wealth funds, banks and hotel owners.
As part of Katten’s Financial Services practice, Mr. Breen advises clients on all aspects of asset management across a broad spectrum of asset classes and, having practiced in both the United States and United Kingdom, he has broad experience addressing the cross-border issues faced by international clients.
“Bob, Barry and Philip and his team all have a wealth of knowledge and experience in our core areas of corporate, financial services and real estate, which make them an excellent fit with our team in London and the firm as a whole,” said Peter Sugden, managing partner of Katten UK. “Their decision to join Katten is a great indication of the positive momentum our firm has going into this new year. We anticipate bringing on additional attorneys in the coming months as we continue to develop the office.”
