Katie Barnes

Ms. Barnes advises on the incentives-related matters arising in corporate transactions such as public takeovers, IPOs, private M&A deals, demergers and private equity investments. Her representations also include providing advisory support with respect to the design and operation of a company’s share plans, and the establishment and operation of employee benefits trusts, as well as supporting clients in remuneration-related corporate governance compliance and on the equity aspects of senior management appointments and departures.

Ms. Barnes’ recent experience includes advising on the incentive aspects of the following transactions:

• Janus Henderson in its US$7.8 billion take-private transaction
• Kraken Technologies on its US$8.65 billion demerger from Octopus Energy
• Danaher Corporation on its US$5.7 billion acquisition of Abcam plc
• BVNK on its up to US$1.8 billion acquisition by Mastercard
• Global Auto Holdings Limited on its US$654 million acquisition of Lookers plc
• DWF Group plc on its US$440 million (£342 million) takeover by Inflexion Private Equity Partners LLP
• Corebridge Financial Inc. on the US$561 million (£460 million) sale of AIG Life Limited, its U.K. life insurance business, to Aviva plc
• H.I.G. Capital on its £314.8 million acquisition of DX (Group)

Prior to joining Skadden in 2023, Ms. Barnes trained and qualified at a Magic Circle law firm where she advised on the incentives aspects of the following transactions:

• Doordash on its US$8.1 billion acquisition of Wolt
• OpenText on its US$5.8 billion acquisition of Micro Focus
• Etsy on its US$1.6 billion acquisition of Depop