(NEW YORK) Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP today announced that Stephen B. Esko has joined the firm as a partner in its Structured Finance and Securitization Practice out of New York. Esko focuses his practice on residential mortgage-backed securitizations.

“Steve is well known in the mortgage capital markets arena and he is a great addition to our Structured Finance and Securitization Practice,” said Vincent A. F. Sergi, Katten’s national managing partner. “His many years of experience representing the GSEs and other key players in the securitization industry will help cement Katten’s position as a leading firm in this market.”

Esko’s experience encompasses a wide range of structured finance transactions, including issuer and underwriter representation in public and private securitizations, asset sales and financings, structured note issuances and credit derivatives work. Clients have included government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs), banks, lenders, broker-dealers and mortgage loan servicers.

“We are looking forward to working with Steve with respect to the important and difficult task of implementing GSE reform,” added Chris DiAngelo, head of Katten’s Structured Finance and Securitization Practice.

Esko is joining Katten’s diverse, international Structured Finance and Securitization Practice which encompasses a wide range of clients and asset classes and involves some of the most innovative structures in the marketplace. Katten’s Structured Finance and Securitization Practice consists of over 35 attorneys whose numerous years of practice in this area allow Katten to operate in the forefront of the market. The practice is recognized for developing novel, creative and constructive solutions for its clients’ needs. Katten lawyers take active roles in the securitization industry’s ongoing response to recent legislative and regulatory initiatives and consequently have successfully advised clients in both the public and private sectors on issues relating to the recovery of the financial markets.

Esko received his JD from Yale Law School. He also holds a BMus from Manhattan School of Music and an MMus from The Juilliard School.