Katten has opened a new office in Miami and appointed Josh Kaufman as its Managing Partner, marking a significant move into one of the fastest-growing financial and commercial hubs in the United States. Kaufman will also join the firm’s Capital Markets practice and serve as Lead Partner of the Public Company Advisory Practice, giving him a central role in shaping Katten’s securities and public company work from South Florida.
Kaufman arrives from DLA Piper, where he developed a broad capital markets and corporate advisory practice focused on high-growth businesses navigating financing options, strategic development, and transformational transactions. His work spans initial public offerings and a range of alternative routes to the public markets, including de-SPAC transactions, reverse mergers, and direct listings, as well as follow-on and secondary offerings, registered direct offerings, at-the-market programs, private investment in public equity (PIPE) deals, equity lines of credit, crossover financings, preferred equity, and convertible debt. He also has experience in both investment-grade and high-yield debt offerings, positioning him to advise companies at different stages of maturity and credit profiles.
Beyond deal execution, Kaufman has represented public companies before key U.S. market regulators and exchanges, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, Nasdaq, and the New York Stock Exchange. He has handled corporate law matters under Delaware, New York, and Florida law, giving him a multi-jurisdictional perspective that is particularly relevant for companies with complex capital structures or multi-state operations. His client base has included businesses in life sciences, technology and data centers, digital assets, real estate investment trusts, financial services, and a range of emerging growth sectors. Geographically, his practice has extended across Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, which aligns with Miami’s role as a gateway market for cross-border capital flows.
Katten’s decision to anchor its Miami launch with a senior capital markets partner reflects the region’s evolving economic profile. Miami has seen increasing inflows of private capital, including family offices, investment funds, and multinational companies seeking sophisticated legal and financial advisory support. By establishing a local presence led by a lawyer with deep ties to the South Florida business community, Katten is positioning itself to serve clients that are deploying capital across private wealth, hedge funds, private equity, private credit, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, financial services, family offices, and public company and emerging growth company work. The firm’s new office is intended to integrate these capabilities and respond to the sustained investment activity in the region.
The move also fits within Katten’s broader strategic framework. The firm’s long-term plan, referred to as Katten 2030, emphasizes investment in key geographic markets and high-impact talent to strengthen its national and international platform. Opening in Miami with a managing partner who combines capital markets depth, regulatory experience, and regional relationships supports that strategy by expanding the firm’s reach in a market that is attracting both domestic and global investors.
Katten’s Capital Markets practice already advises public and private issuers, underwriters, placement agents, and investors across a variety of securities offerings and strategic transactions. The group works with companies throughout their life cycle, from venture and growth capital financings through IPOs and other public exits, and continues to advise on ongoing capital markets and corporate governance matters. It has substantial experience with cross-border deals and complex regulatory questions, and its attorneys have closed hundreds of transactions ranging from approximately 55 million to 3.53.5 billion in value. Bringing that platform into Miami with local leadership is likely to enhance the firm’s ability to support both U.S. and international clients as they access capital markets and pursue growth strategies in and through South Florida.
KEY QUOTES:
“Josh’s arrival is a defining moment for our Capital Markets practice. Miami continues to attract private capital, family offices, investment funds and multinational companies seeking sophisticated legal counsel, and Josh is uniquely positioned to serve that client base.”
Mark Wood, Partner and Co-Chair of Katten’s Capital Markets practice
“Josh is a proven leader with strong relationships and a market-leading practice in one of the country’s most compelling business centers. The opening of our Miami office allows us to deliver Katten’s full capabilities to clients in South Florida and it reflects our commitment to investing in talent and key markets as part of Katten 2030, our firm’s strategic plan.”
Gil Soffer, Chairman of Katten
