1100 Peachtree Street NE Suite 2800, Atlanta, GA USA 30309
Catherine Zhu focuses her practice on corporate mergers and acquisitions, capital markets transactions, and corporate governance. She regularly advises private equity sponsors, strategic acquirers, and sellers on complex M&A transactions, including cross-border deals and Chapter 11 bankruptcy acquisitions across a variety of industries, including water infrastructure, construction, healthcare, energy, manufacturing, and technology. Catherine prioritizes providing practical legal advice that enhances organizational outcomes.
Prior to joining Kilpatrick, Catherine practiced at a US southeast regional law firm where she advised clients on private equity transactions, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, commercial construction contracts, and real estate finance.
Catherine brings a distinctive international and in-house perspective to her transactional practice. She began her legal career at the New Zealand Defence Force, where she served as a legal officer advising on military personnel law, international treaty compliance, and legislative drafting. She then served as counsel to the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand where she drafted civil aviation regulations, appeared before the High Court and Court of Appeal prosecuting health and safety violations, and secured the victims of aircraft accidents rights under the Victims’ Rights Act of 2002. Catherine also practiced securities law at the New Zealand Stock Exchange, where she oversaw public listings and complex commercial transactions, led the listing process for an NZD $506 million green bond, and initiated the recognition of the NZX by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Catherine was recognized in 2027 as one of the “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” for Corporate Governance and Compliance Law by The Best Lawyers in America®, and is the recipient of Kilpatrick’s 2026 Pro Bono Star Award.
Outside of the office, Catherine can often be found enjoying the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Atlanta Opera, acting as a Cub Scout Den leader, or tramping in the Georgia mountains.
Experience
Acted as supporting US counsel to a leading global building materials company on a EUR $675 million cross-border carve-out sale of a global engineering construction solutions platform.
Represented the seller of a regional medical equipment company in a US $74 million equity sale.
Represented a strategic buyer in a US $43 million equity acquisition of a piping construction and restoration company.
Represented a national building materials company on a US $150 million equity purchase of a national fiberglass enclosures manufacturer.
Represented a private equity backed strategic buyer in a US $30 million equity purchase of a healthcare-focused AI startup company.
Represented the seller in a US $40 million carve-out sale from a pharmaceutical biodevelopment company.
*Represented the seller in a US $193 million equity sale of a majority interest in a multi-state agricultural company to a private equity buyer.
*Represented the buyer in a series of horizontal acquisitions totaling US $49 million in the granite manufacturing industry.
Represented a creditor in an asset purchase of a US $125 million plastics conversion facility through a Chapter 11 bankruptcy sale.
Represented the buyer in the purchase of certain internationally distributed wine brands, IP and inventory from a Chapter 11 bankruptcy sale for US $6 million.
Represented an emerging airline company in a US $140 million convertible note offering across multiple closings, including cash notes and preferred equity-for-debt exchanges.
*Represented national developer in four university construction projects involving the issuance or revenue bonds between US $100-$300 million.
*Represented start-up in a US $30 million 506(c) offering to develop an outdoor adventure lifestyle community in a Qualified Opportunity Zone.
*Represented national developer in a US $22 million series of 506(c) offerings.
*Experience gained by attorney prior to joining Kilpatrick
Emory University School of Law Master of Laws (LLM) (2020) Master of Laws Leadership Award
Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (2013)
Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand B.A., International Relations and Affairs (2011)
Georgia (2021)
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