BakerHostetler announced today that Raam S. Jani has joined the firm as a partner in its Chicago office. Jani will serve as a member of the firm’s Business Practice Group and Private Equity Practice team. Jani joins the firm from Vedder Price.

Jani’s practice focuses on middle-market private equity, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital and search fund/Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition transactional matters. He also has an entrepreneur-focused general corporate practice providing outside general counsel services to closely held private business clients and emerging companies across a wide spectrum of industries. Along with a breadth of experience in the middle market, Jani brings with him significant cross-border transactional knowledge, having advised clients in connection with numerous non-U.S. search funds and a variety of private-company transactions with international elements.

“Raam has a deep understanding of middle-market M&A and how to get deals done in a timely and cost-effective fashion,” said John Allotta, firmwide chair of BakerHostetler’s Business Practice Group. “His experience with search funds, independent sponsors and traditional middle-market private equity funds is a perfect fit with our existing PE practice, and I look forward to seeing him succeed at the firm.”

“I’m thrilled to be joining a firm that will provide an enhanced platform for both my practice and my clients,” said Jani. “BakerHostetler has an outstanding value proposition in middle-market private equity work, and I look forward to working with the firm’s incredibly talented attorneys across the U.S.”

Prior to law school, Jani was an investment banking analyst, and he frequently guest lectures at leading business schools on topics related to Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition. He received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and his B.B.A. in Finance and Business Economics from the University of Notre Dame.

“Raam is an outstanding lawyer with a collegial and practical approach to client service. He will be a great addition to our growing private equity practice,” said Adam Skilken, leader of BakerHostetler’s Private Equity Practice team.

BakerHostetler’s Private Equity Practice team draws on the experience of nearly 220 business attorneys in 17 offices. The team represents private equity funds and portfolio companies in M&A transactions and the execution of their growth strategies.