Katherine (Kady) Ashley, head of Skadden’s M&A Group in Washington, D.C., was recently profiled in Financier Worldwide as part of the Power Players: Mergers & Acquisitions 2026 Distinguished Advisers report. The article highlighted Ms. Ashley’s career journey at Skadden from summer associate to practice leader, her approach to building client trust and her experience guiding clients through significant transactions in the utility, media and information services industries.
“One of the most rewarding engagements I worked on was my work with Gannett,” she said. “I learned a great deal working with this smart, demanding and driven team while navigating some of the most interesting M&A issues.”
In the Q&A, Ms. Ashley also reflected on the importance of connecting with clients on a personal level and supporting them in reaching their goals, even in high-pressure situations.
“I think the foundation for a strong, trusting relationship with clients is to provide them with outstanding legal service, which means doing great work, being available and responsive, and knowing when to bring in other expertise to address their needs.”
Read the article: “Power Players: Mergers & Acquisitions 2026 Distinguished Advisers,” March 2026.