Carl Kennedy, whose career includes stints at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, JPMorgan Chase and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, has joined Katten Muchin Rosenman.

Kennedy is joining Katten's New York office as a partner in the firm's financial services practice, where he will focus mostly on laws and regulations pertaining to over-the-counter and exchange-traded derivatives. In his new role, Kennedy will work with clearinghouses, exchanges, clearing firms and trading firms. He will also work on issues concerning digital assets. He made the move from Gibson Dunn, where he has been of counsel since 2016.

“What I believe Katten offers is that it's an amazing firm and so well-regarded in the industry space,” Kennedy said.

Lance Zinman, global co-chair of Katten's financial services practice, said the firm's clients expect a high level of expertise when it comes to business decisions, so Kennedy's background made him a great fit.

“With his extensive experience and deep understanding of all aspects of regulatory compliance, Carl is an excellent addition to our team,” Zinman said in a statement.

Kennedy said he was excited to join Katten because it will give him the opportunity to work closely with leading lawyers in the industry, notably Gary DeWaal, Kevin Foley, Arthur Hahn and Guy Dempsey.

“I feel like I can learn from them and be able to improve and enhance my practice as a result,” Kennedy said.

The move comes as Katten sets its sights on expansion and growth over the next few years. The firm, which is headquartered in Chicago, grew revenue by more than 10% in 2018, a year of “foundation-setting,” according to chair Roger Furey. Katten earlier this year approved a three-year strategic plan aimed at bringing on more partners to new and growing offices across the country. The firm in 2018 added four lawyers to its New York office in a new bankruptcy and restructuring group.

Kennedy said that in addition to helping Katten expand, he also hopes to maintain existing relationships. While he said it's too early to tell if his clients will be moving with him, many are already also working with Katten. Kennedy wants that to strengthen those relationships.

“Hopefully, my move ensures my clients will continue to use Katten,” he said.

Prior to his time at Gibson Dunn, Kennedy was legal counsel at Managed Funds Association and executive director and assistant general counsel at JPMorgan. Much of his work has dealt with regulatory matters relating to the Dodd-Frank Act.

He was also special counsel and a policy adviser at the CFTC, where he helped guide the commission to implement the Dodd-Frank Act.

Kennedy's move to partner at Katten comes at a time when black lawyers are still underrepresented at law firms: according to ALM's 2019 Diversity Scorecard, they represented only 3.3% of lawyers in the Am Law 200.