(LONDON) Katten Muchin Rosenman UK LLP announced today that The Legal 500 United Kingdom 2014 recognized the firm in the areas of Financial Services, Investment Funds (Private Funds and Hedge Funds), Commercial Property, Property Litigation, and Hotels and Leisure.

In addition, the following Katten UK attorneys were recognized for professional excellence:

Corporate and Commercial - Investment Funds

  • Barry Breen
  • David Brennand
  • Nathaniel Lalone
  • Neil Robson
  • Philip Watkins

Real Estate - Commercial Property

  • Stephen John
  • Peter Sugden
  • Gavin Vollans

Real Estate - Property Litigation

  • Joe Payne

The Legal 500 Series, now in its 27th year, is widely acknowledged as the world's largest legal referral guide. More than 250,000 corporate counsel are surveyed and interviewed globally each year. The Legal 500 is an independent guide, and firms and individuals are recommended purely on merit.

'This type of recognition by corporate counsel is an indication of the strong client service our Katten UK attorneys deliver as well as our breadth of capabilities in the areas of real estate, corporate and financial services, which we've continued to grow and expand', said Katten Chairman Vincent A.F. Sergi.

The Legal 500 United Kingdom 2014 noted the Katten UK Financial Services practice's 'significant investment with the recruitment of Barry Breen to head its nascent London-based funds practice'. The publication also cites the recruitment of David Brennand, regulatory expert Neil Robson and private equity specialist Philip Watkins, as well as the promotion of US regulatory expert Nathaniel Lalone.

Acknowledging the strength of the firm's real estate practice, The Legal 500 United Kingdom 2014 described Katten as

'excellent in every way'. It undertakes investment work for clients such as Associated British Foods Pension Trustees and the Williams Pear Group, and has expertise in hospitality and leisure. Peter Sugden is 'very experienced and commercially minded'; special counsel Stephen John is 'a lawyer of choice'; and senior associate Gavin Vollans is a 'good all round'.

Additionally, The Legal 500 United Kingdom 2014 described partner Joe Payne as 'very responsive'.

Katten Muchin Rosenman UK LLP is the London affiliate of Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP,a full-service law firm with 650 attorneys in locations across the United States and in Asia. The London team acts for clients operating in the real estate, corporate and financial services sectors. With a broad range of expertise in these areas, Katten's core practices are real estate investment and development, real estate finance, hospitality and leisure, US and UK regulatory and corporate occupier work.

The firm's London lawyers coordinate regularly with colleagues in other offices located in centres of finance including Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Shanghai and Washington, DC. They offer skilled, integrated legal advice particularly well placed to service the needs of clients undertaking transatlantic business.