Michael A. Katz

Competent on corporate governance, but communication could improve

I engaged Michael Katz at WilmerHale for guidance on a complex shareholder rights agreement for my mid-sized company. His credentials from Columbia Law and his recognition in Corporate Governance and Corporate Law were certainly factors in our selection. In terms of the legal substance, his work was solid. He demonstrated a clear understanding of compliance frameworks and the drafting was precise, reflecting his expertise in the field. However, the experience felt somewhat transactional. While I never doubted his legal capability, there were periods where communication lapsed. Responses to non-urgent emails sometimes took several days, and it was occasionally challenging to get a clear timeline for deliverables. For a firm of this caliber, I expected a slightly more proactive and responsive partnership, especially given the strategic nature of corporate governance work. He is undoubtedly a knowledgeable attorney who produced a technically sound result, but the client service aspect felt just adequate. For straightforward corporate matters, he is a capable choice, but for matters requiring frequent strategic dialogue, you may need to set very clear expectations upfront regarding communication protocols.