NEW YORK – Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP is pleased to announce that its national Private Wealth Practice has been named one of three finalists by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) for the 2008 STEP Private Client Awards. The firm was nominated in the North American Private Client Team category. The winners will be announced at a black-tie awards ceremony on September 18, 2008 in London.

The STEP Private Client Awards highlight excellence among private client solicitors and attorneys, accountants, barristers, bankers and trust managers. With 14,000 members, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners is a professional organization of trust and estate practitioners that provides its members with a local, national and international learning and business network. It offers education, training, representation and networking for its members, who are professionals specializing in trusts and estates, executorship, administration and related taxes. Members advise clients on the broad business of the management of personal finance. Full members of the organization are the most experienced and senior practitioners in the field of trusts and estates.

“STEP is all about excellence, and those shortlisted have undoubtedly demonstrated their excellence and innovation over the last year,” said Shan Warnock-Smith QC, Chair of the STEP Private Client Awards Judging Panel. “This is an incredibly competitive process and the shortlist is strong.”

“We are honored to have made the shortlist for these prestigious awards,” said Joshua S. Rubenstein, chair of Katten’s National Trusts and Estates Practice. “Our practice continues to be deeply committed to providing first-class counsel and unmatched client service, and to be named a finalist for the STEP Awards serves to reinforce that commitment.”

Katten’s National Trusts and Estates Practice provides a full range of trusts and estates related services, including sophisticated estate, tax, business and personal planning for high net worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and others with complex assets or affairs. The firm represents both fiduciaries and beneficiaries in connection with ongoing estate and trust administration on a multigenerational basis, and is also experienced in handling contested proceedings involving estates and trusts in the courts, before taxing authorities and before governmental and regulatory authorities.