Cathy Birkeland, Chicago Office Managing Partner and former Global Co-Chair of the Capital Markets Practice, helps issuers, underwriters, and investors execute successful capital markets transactions, and advises public companies and boards of directors on corporate governance and securities law matters.
For more than two decades, Ms. Birkeland has advised clients on a broad array of capital markets transactions, including:
- Initial public offerings (IPO)
- Dual track IPO/M&A processes
- Spin-off transactions
- Follow-on offerings
- Block trades
- ATM programs
Ms. Birkeland advises public and private companies of all sizes across the globe, including Fortune 500 companies, emerging growth companies, investment banking firms, investors, and private equity firms. She has experience with numerous industries, including technology, hospitality, REITs, consumer retail, financial services, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.
When counseling public companies and their boards of directors, she draws on her insights into the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and regulatory processes to advise on:
- ’34 Act reporting
- Complex disclosure requirements
- Corporate governance best practices
- NYSE/Nasdaq listing
- Securities regulation
- Tender offers
- Consent solicitations
- Private placements
- Rule 144
- Section 16
- Share repurchase programs
- 10b5-1 trading plans
- Financial reporting
Highly regarded by clients and peers, Ms. Birkeland has been named as one of the Most Influential Women Lawyers in Chicago by Crain’s Chicago Business, which recognized her as a “first-rate capital markets lawyer.” The Chicago Business Journal also named Ms. Birkeland to its 2018 Women of Influence list.
She regularly speaks on capital markets and corporate governance matters at industry conferences. She serves on the Executive Committee of the annual Ray Garrett Jr. Corporate & Securities Law Institute, sponsored by Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
Leadership
Complementing her active practice, Ms. Birkeland mentors junior lawyers and passionately supports Latham’s commitment to diversity. She has served on the firm’s Global Diversity Leadership Committee, helped found the firm’s annual Women’s Leadership Academy, and is a spokesperson for diversity issues.
Ms. Birkeland also contributes to the Chicago community, serving on the Heart Leadership Council of the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and the Chicago Board of Camp Kesem, a national organization that supports children through and beyond their parent’s cancer, and is a member of The Chicago Network.