LAWYER PROFILE
Katherine P. Padgett

Katherine P. Padgett

USA 2026

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Ranked in 1 practice area

About

Provided by Akin

Practice Areas

Katherine’s practice focuses on international trade matters, including CFIUS reviews, export controls, economic sanctions, national security and litigation strategy in international investment and arbitration. She has significant experience representing both foreign investors and U.S. companies across different sectors before CFIUS, as well as with respect deal related-considerations such as transaction structuring and deal term negotiations.

Career

Katherine served nine years in the office of the Legal Adviser at the U.S. Department of State. During her tenure, she served as the lead lawyer for the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Katherine represented the State Department in various interagency processes including CFIUS national security reviews, arms export control regulations, and economic sanctions. Additionally, Katherine advised on investment arbitrations and played a key role in crisis management and implementation of U.S. military assistance. Katherine also served as a law clerk to the Hon. Stefan R. Underhill of the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut and the Hon. Peter W. Hall of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit.

Publications

• “Foreign Investment In Real Estate Is Getting More Complicated,” Law360 06/23/2023.

• “CCMCs revisited: Biden revises Trump rules on trading China military company shares,” WorldECR, 11/9/2021.

• “Power Equipment Security Order Adds Compliance Burdens,” Law360, 05/12/2020.

Personal

J.D., Tulane University Law School, summa cum laude

A.B., Georgetown University, cum laude

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the USA

International Trade: CFIUS Experts - USA - Nationwide

Band 5
Band 5

Individual Editorial

Katherine Padgett is noted for her strong abilities advising on the CFIUS implications of transactions.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Katherine is active in this space and is a really talented lawyer.

    International Trade: CFIUS ExpertsChambers Guide to the USA
  • Katherine is an expert in knowing the rules and regulations in a way that makes the process not painful for us. She is very honest and prepared.

    International Trade: CFIUS ExpertsChambers Guide to the USA
  • Katherine is a very good partner, particularly with her diplomacy expertise.

    International Trade: CFIUS ExpertsChambers Guide to the USA
  • Katherine is very smart and insightful. As a former CFIUS officer, she knows how to manage CFIUS expectations very well and how to lead the negotiations.

    International Trade: CFIUS ExpertsChambers Guide to the USA

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