Katten announced today that Emily K. Watson has joined as a partner in the Mergers and Acquisitions/Private Equity practice in Chicago, building on the deep bench of experienced and skilled attorneys structuring and closing middle-market deals. Prior to joining Katten, Watson was a partner in the corporate group at Levenfeld Pearlstein and a corporate transactions and private equity partner at McDermott Will & Emery where she spent the majority of her legal career.

“Emily has the exemplary skills required to thrive in high-pressure, sophisticated transactions,” said Kimberly T. Smith, global chair of Katten’s Corporate department. “She brings considerable experience that enables her to jump right in at Katten to meet the needs of our clients and get deals closed.”

Watson represents private equity sponsors, closely held businesses, entrepreneurs, investors and management teams across a range of industries, including health care, business services, insurance, and manufacturing and distribution. Her practice focuses on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, private equity and general corporate matters, including leveraged buyouts, divestitures, joint ventures, control and growth equity financings, non-control and co-investments, and other complex commercial transactions.

For private equity clients and their portfolio companies, Watson serves as an outside general counsel, assisting in executing strategic, financial and commercial objectives and advising on executive employment and employee equity incentive plan arrangements.