Venable LLP is pleased to announce that Saminaz Akhter has joined the firm as a partner in the Corporate Practice in the Washington, D.C., office. Ms. Akhter focuses her practice on corporate and securities law, with an emphasis on acquisition and divestiture transactions in a variety of industries. Akhter arrives from Blank Rome LLP.

Frank Ciatto, co-chair of Venable’s Corporate Practice, said, “We are pleased to welcome Saminaz to our growing corporate team. She has built a strong practice advising clients on complex transactions across various industries. Her talent and approach to representing clients is an ideal fit for our team.”

Bob Bolger, co-chair of Venable’s Corporate Practice, said, “Saminaz is a well-respected corporate and securities law attorney. Her deal-making experience and skills will provide added value to our clients.”

Ms. Akhter represents corporations and other business entities in a variety of transactional matters including commercial contracts, stockholder agreements, employment agreements, and other contracts. In addition to representing clients in mergers and acquisitions, she also advises clients on compliance with the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Commenting on her move to Venable, Ms. Akhter said, “I’m excited to be joining Venable, a firm that is well known nationally and has a strong corporate presence in Washington, D.C.”

Ms. Akhter received her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 2004, her S.M. from Harvard University in 1999, and her B.A. from The Johns Hopkins University in 1996.