Mergers & Acquisitions names the 2023 Most Influential Women in Mid-Market M&A, including Katten’s Kimberly Smith.
Tell us about yourself.
In leading more than 140 attorneys based in offices throughout the U.S., U.K. and China, I am laser-focused on long-term strategies to grow Katten’s client base, remain competitive, attract and retain top talent.
At the same time, I have my own busy M&A practice and continue to close significant deals for my longtime clients, including prominent family offices such as PSP Capital, founded by Penny Pritzker, and Sam Zell’s Equity Group Investments. I advise private equity funds and other clients on strategic and complex transactions including leveraged buyouts, acquisitions, joint ventures and other investments across multiple industries from healthcare and technology to business services and manufacturing.
How are you advancing the state of women?
I participate in Katten’s Women’s Leadership Forum, which supports the retention and advancement of women attorneys and gives them space to network and gain career development skills, and discuss any concerns or hurdles to advancement and how to navigate past those barriers. As a member of its national mentoring panel of about a dozen firm leaders, I often advise female attorneys throughout the firm on outlining their career goals, developing skills, and utilizing strategies to develop new business. I also support the Women’s Association of Venture and Equity (WAVE).
When I start seeing women coming up the ranks of private equity firms – which unfortunately have few women in investing roles deciding where to allocate capital – I am ready to extend my hand to help them ascend to those senior roles.
For the full list of 2023 Most Influential Women in Mid-Market M&A, see here.
