Akin Gump Acquires Parven Pomper Strategies, Expands Policy Practice

(Washington, D.C.) – Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP announced today that it is acquiring Parven Pomper Strategies (PPS), a Democratic boutique lobbying firm founded in 2006.  PPS founders Scott Parven and Brian Pomper will join the firm as partners and bring the entire PPS team to Akin Gump.  In addition, Al From, the founder and longtime leader of the Democratic Leadership Council, will become a senior advisor to the firm.

Smith W. Davis, co-leader of Akin Gump’s policy practice, said, “Scott and Brian and their team have an excellent track record of providing business clients with first-rate strategic advice and advocacy in the policy arena.  We are very pleased to bring their energy and talent to the firm.”

Joel Jankowsky, senior executive partner at Akin Gump, noted, “Al From is a legend in this town.  We are proud that he will now be working with the Akin Gump policy team.” 

Before founding PPS, Mr. Parven was vice president and counsel at Aetna, where he oversaw international public policy.  Previously, he was vice president, public policy at AOL Time Warner.  Earlier, he was chair of international public policy at Mayer Brown.  He is a graduate of Vassar College and the University of Virginia School of Law. 

Before founding PPS, Mr. Pomper served as chief international trade counsel for Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) on the Senate Finance Committee, advising the committee on all aspects of its international trade and economic agenda.  Prior to entering government service, Mr. Pomper was an attorney at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.  He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Cornell University Law School. 

Mr. From is now principal of The From Company, LLC, which provides strategic advice to private clients and non-profits. 

Also joining Akin Gump from PPS are Alixandria Lapp, former chief of staff to Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee campaign director under former Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), as senior policy advisor; Francine Friedman as senior policy counsel; Roger Murry, former legislative assistant to former Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA), as policy analyst; and Sarah Crnkovich as policy analyst.  

“We’re very excited about this acquisition,” Mr. Parven said. “Akin Gump’s reputation in the policy world has always been first-rate.  We believe that the firm’s market-leading bipartisan policy practice, combined with its wide-ranging regulatory practice groups, will be a great platform for us and for our clients.” 

Mr. From stated, “Over the years, I have worked closely with many policy professionals at Akin Gump, including the firm’s founder, Bob Strauss. I am excited that my firm, The From Company, LLC, will now be affiliated with Akin Gump.”

Founded in 1977, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP’s bipartisan policy practice numbers more than 50 lawyers and professionals with broad and deep experience in government policy and practice.  The group’s clients include corporations, government entities, Native American tribes, nonprofit organizations, coalitions and trade associations, and individuals.

Founded in 1945, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, a leading international law firm, numbers more than 800 lawyers in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. 

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