Katten Executive and Leadership Team

Noah Heller, the Chief Executive Officer at Katten, directs the firm's overall strategic vision and operational execution. Heller guides the firm's expansion across its international offices in the United States, London, and Shanghai, ensuring alignment with the core mission of delivering sophisticated, high-value legal services. This leadership role involves fostering a culture of excellence and innovation among the firm's approximately 700 attorneys. Heller oversees the integration of legal practices, including corporate, financial markets, litigation, and intellectual property, to meet the complex needs of public and private companies, government entities, and individuals. By championing the firm's commitment to diversity and inclusion, as evidenced by its Mansfield Rule certification, Noah Heller actively shapes Katten's market position and reputation as a leader in legal services.

Wayne Richman, the Chief Financial Officer at Katten, oversees the firm's comprehensive financial strategy and management. Richman directs all fiscal operations, including budgeting, financial planning, and revenue management, ensuring the economic health and sustainability of Katten's global operations. This leadership position involves managing financial relationships with clients and stakeholders, particularly for complex transactions in areas like private credit and securitization. Wayne Richman's expertise is critical in supporting the firm's representation of a third of the Fortune 100, as well as government and nonprofit organizations. By maintaining rigorous financial controls and driving profitability, Richman enables Katten to invest in its attorneys and resources, reinforcing its capacity to deliver high-value legal services across diverse industries.

Allan Wood, the Chief Operating Officer at Katten, manages the firm's extensive operational infrastructure and resource allocation. Wood oversees the day-to-day business functions that support Katten's global legal practice, ensuring seamless delivery of services across its U.S., London, and Shanghai locations. This involves optimizing internal processes and enhancing efficiency for the firm's nearly 700 attorneys and support staff. Allan Wood's responsibilities extend to managing the firm's physical presence and technological resources, facilitating collaboration among diverse practice groups such as real estate, structured finance, and private wealth. By driving operational excellence, Wood directly supports Katten's ability to handle complex mergers and acquisitions, hedge fund regulation, and intricate business finance matters for a broad spectrum of clients.

Jason Najacht, the Chief Information Officer at Katten, architects and directs the firm's technology strategy and infrastructure. Najacht oversees the implementation and management of advanced technological solutions that support Katten's sophisticated legal services, from litigation and intellectual property to health care compliance. This role is crucial for enabling secure and efficient operations across the firm's U.S., London, and Shanghai offices. Jason Najacht ensures that the firm's IT systems are robust, scalable, and aligned with the evolving needs of clients in industries such as technology, entertainment, and financial services. By driving technological innovation, Najacht enhances the firm's capacity to handle complex data-intensive matters and maintain a competitive edge in the legal market.

Daphne Pendleton, the Chief Administrative Officer at Katten, manages the broad spectrum of administrative functions that underpin the firm's global operations. Pendleton oversees human resources, facilities management, and professional development initiatives, ensuring a supportive and efficient environment for Katten's approximately 700 attorneys and staff. This role is vital for fostering the firm's commitment to diversity and inclusion, aligning administrative practices with the standards of the Mansfield Rule. Daphne Pendleton's leadership ensures that administrative support is seamlessly integrated with legal service delivery across all practice areas, including corporate, real estate, and private wealth. By optimizing administrative processes, Pendleton directly contributes to the firm's ability to provide high-value legal services to a diverse international clientele.