Katten Strengthens Health Care Practice with New Partner Additions
Katten enhances its national Health Care team by welcoming Anthony Del Rio and Kate Hardey as partners, signaling a strategic move to address the evolving health care and life sciences sectors amid increasing private equity investments and regulatory changes.
Katten has announced the expansion of its Health Care practice with the addition of Anthony Del Rio and Kate Hardey as partners in Chicago and Charlotte, respectively. This strategic enhancement comes at a time when the health care industry is experiencing significant transformation, driven by private equity investment and heightened regulatory scrutiny. Kenya S. Woodruff, national chair of Katten’s Health Care practice, highlighted the importance of Del Rio and Hardey's expertise in providing sophisticated, strategic counsel to clients navigating these changes.
Del Rio brings a wealth of experience in the health care sector, offering insights into transactional matters, regulatory compliance, and enforcement actions. His unique background, including roles as president of a clinically integrated network and senior counsel to a large health system, equips him with a business-oriented perspective that is invaluable to clients. Hardey, on the other hand, is renowned for her ability to guide clients through the complex regulatory and transactional landscapes of the health care, life sciences, and food industry sectors. Her expertise is particularly sought after by private equity firms and strategic acquirers.
The addition of Del Rio and Hardey, along with associates Vinal Patel and Caitlin A. Kierum, underscores Katten's commitment to bolstering its health care and private equity capabilities. This move is timely, as highlighted by Katten’s 2025 Middle-Market Private Equity Report, which identifies health care as a promising area for middle-market private equity investors. Kimberly T. Smith, partner and global chair of Katten’s Corporate department, expressed enthusiasm about the new additions, noting their potential to help clients adapt to the rapidly changing industry landscape.
This expansion of Katten’s Health Care practice not only enhances the firm's ability to serve its clients but also reflects the broader trends and challenges facing the health care industry today. With the sector undergoing significant changes, the expertise and strategic insight offered by Del Rio, Hardey, and their team will be crucial for clients looking to navigate the complexities of health care transactions and regulations.