(CHARLOTTE) Katten announced today that R. Kader Crawford has joined its Private Credit practice, expanding the group's market-leading capabilities that have successfully solved for virtually every deal variation in the space. Crawford is a partner in the firm's Charlotte office.
"Kader's strong background in accounting and tax paired with his wealth of experience, deep relationships and driven nature equip him to craft strategic solutions that meet both commercial and legal needs,"said Michael Jacobson, chair of Katten's Private Credit department, a full-service team that handles all aspects of financing and regulatory matters across a wide spectrum of transactions in this evolving industry.
"Kader's overall skillset aligns with our distinguished industry reputation, making him well-suited for the team,"Jacobson added.
Crawford focuses on the middle market, addressing matters related to commercial lending, corporate finance and private equity transactions. He works closely with money center bank and non-bank lenders, private equity sponsors, and other public and private companies regarding complex financing transactions, including senior secured cash flow and asset-based credit facilities, unitranche financings, stretched senior financings, and mezzanine and second-lien facilities, among others.
Crawford works with a variety of lending market players, advising on matters from bilateral sponsor acquisition financings to broadly syndicated credit facilities for large companies. His experience in asset-based lending (ABL) expands Katten's ever-growing capabilities in the space as it represents both lenders and borrowers in a range of transactions, including working capital and cash flow financing.
Before joining Katten, Crawford was a partner at another Am Law 100 firm, where he focused on commercial lending, corporate finance and private equity transactions. He previously was a certified public accountant with a Big Four accounting firm.
His active pro bono practice includes assisting nonprofit lenders in establishing business structures and addressing matters related to lending regulations compliance. Crawford also counsels a number of Charlotte-area organizations in business formation, corporate governance and other general corporate matters.
"Kader knows the importance of delivering innovative, effective legal solutions that address business needs,"said Katten Charlotte Managing Partner Karen Nelson. "His fresh energy and standout skills are a match for the Katten culture and profile not only in Charlotte but throughout the firm."