Export Control and Sanctions
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Recognized Expertise in Export Controls and Economic Sanctions
Wilson Sonsini’s Export Controls and Economic Sanctions practice is consistently recognized by well-known industry authorities, such as Chambers USA and Chambers Global. The team’s attorneys are individually cited for excellence and other accomplishments in these publications and they are often invited to speak at industry-leading conference. Clients describe them as “[outstanding]…providing solid legal guidance in a very efficient and responsive manner” and “[t]hey know the technology space well and are familiar with the issues technology companies face.”
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Unmatched Skills, Experience, and Practical Legal Solutions for Global Businesses
Our comprehensive scope of practice includes providing business-forward practical legal advice regarding shipping products & technology outside of the U.S., hiring foreign nationals in the U.S. and abroad, software downloads and licensing to international users, providing SaaS to international users and SaaS hosting outside of the U.S., cloud computing issues, and encryption. We regularly counsel clients on these areas in connection with off-shore manufacturing, joint ventures, overseas research and development, and advising on the applicability of UK and U.S. laws to these foreign activities.
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Transatlantic Presence and Capabilities to Assist with Multijurisdictional Issues
Wilson Sonsini’s team of export controls and sanctions attorneys includes U.S.-based and dual-qualified UK-based attorneys that can assist multinational companies with various licensing, enforcement, and policy matters. The firm’s attorneys have administered numerous internal and government investigations involving potential violations of U.S., UK, and EU economic sanctions and export controls in the United States, Europe, and Central and South America. We also regularly counsel clients on global compliance reviews addressing U.S., UK, and EU export control and sanctions issues.
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Experienced Investigative Team Anchored by Chambers-ranked Attorneys
Wilson Sonsini's team of export controls and sanctions attorneys conducts internal audits and investigations, prepares voluntary disclosures, and represents clients in both administrative and criminal enforcement-related matters before various U.S. and UK enforcement agencies.
In today’s expanding global economy, companies increasingly need access to understandable and comprehensive advice on compliance and enforcement issues related to U.S., UK, and EU economic sanctions and export controls laws and regulations.
Wilson Sonsini's team of export controls and sanctions attorneys in the U.S. and UK, anchored by several Chambers-ranked individuals is uniquely qualified to assist companies with a broad array of regulatory and compliance issues, including developing customized advice on how these regulations apply to their products, software, technology, and services; preparing for and conducting civil and criminal government investigations and enforcement actions; and developing easy to implement compliance policies and procedures to prevent such investigations and actions.
The firm's clients, which range from large multinational companies to small start-ups, are leaders in a wide variety of sophisticated technologies and industries, including chemical and biotechnology, cloud service and SaaS providers, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, drones, marine and aerospace, electronic equipment, sensors, telecommunications and satellites, semiconductor design and manufacture, quantum computing, computer software and hardware, encryption, digital media and broadcasting, financial and investment services, and defense. Wilson Sonsini's team has developed a nuanced understanding of how export control and economic sanctions issues affect these and other industry sectors. We position our clients to address diligence questions in these areas that help facilitate a variety of financings, mergers, and other investment transactions.
Our team provides practical guidance regarding compliance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), EU Dual Use Regulation, trade and economic sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the UK’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), anti-boycott laws, the Foreign Trade Regulations, and Customs and international trade regulations. The firm's attorneys regularly work with companies to resolve complex jurisdiction and classification issues, devise licensing strategies, design compliance programs tailored to specific client needs, provide employee compliance training, prepare voluntary disclosures, assist with transactional due diligence, obtain Customs rulings and country of origin determinations, and conduct internal audits and investigations. Further, we regularly advise and represent companies and individuals in enforcement-related matters, both administrative and criminal, before OFAC, OFSI, the Justice Department, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, and the State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.
In today’s expanding global economy, companies increasingly need access to understandable and comprehensive advice on compliance and enforcement issues related to U.S., UK, and EU economic sanctions and export controls laws and regulations.
Wilson Sonsini's team of export controls and sanctions attorneys in the U.S. and UK, anchored by several Chambers-ranked individuals is uniquely qualified to assist companies with a broad array of regulatory and compliance issues, including developing customized advice on how these regulations apply to their products, software, technology, and services; preparing for and conducting civil and criminal government investigations and enforcement actions; and developing easy to implement compliance policies and procedures to prevent such investigations and actions.
The firm's clients, which range from large multinational companies to small start-ups, are leaders in a wide variety of sophisticated technologies and industries, including chemical and biotechnology, cloud service and SaaS providers, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, drones, marine and aerospace, electronic equipment, sensors, telecommunications and satellites, semiconductor design and manufacture, quantum computing, computer software and hardware, encryption, digital media and broadcasting, financial and investment services, and defense. Wilson Sonsini's team has developed a nuanced understanding of how export control and economic sanctions issues affect these and other industry sectors. We position our clients to address diligence questions in these areas that help facilitate a variety of financings, mergers, and other investment transactions.
Our team provides practical guidance regarding compliance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), EU Dual Use Regulation, trade and economic sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the UK’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), anti-boycott laws, the Foreign Trade Regulations, and Customs and international trade regulations. The firm's attorneys regularly work with companies to resolve complex jurisdiction and classification issues, devise licensing strategies, design compliance programs tailored to specific client needs, provide employee compliance training, prepare voluntary disclosures, assist with transactional due diligence, obtain Customs rulings and country of origin determinations, and conduct internal audits and investigations. Further, we regularly advise and represent companies and individuals in enforcement-related matters, both administrative and criminal, before OFAC, OFSI, the Justice Department, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, and the State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.
Chambers UK noted that Mike is “a one-stop shop for global sanctions advice” who is “very responsive with his provision of highly commercial advice.” The publication also described Mike as “one of the most experienced practitioners in the market” who “understands and takes into consideration any necessary complexities and understands the importance of commerciality when giving recommendations.”
Mike has led numerous internal and government-initiated investigations involving potential violations of sanctions, export controls, anti-money laundering laws, anti-bribery laws, and fraud laws throughout the world. He has also represented individuals in pending and threatened litigation.
Mike regularly advises clients on a wide range of compliance issues. He works with clients to develop and implement state-of-the-art compliance programs, including corporate policies, training programs, and third-party procedures. Further, Mike assists clients with carrying out due diligence for many types of corporate transactions. He has successfully guided dozens of investors and companies through the NSI Act review process.
Prior to joining Wilson Sonsini, Mike was a partner in the London office of Kirkland & Ellis.
Mike is the author of Sanctions Enforcement and Compliance: A Practitioner’s Guide to OFAC, a treatise published by Bloomberg BNA. Additionally, leading legal publications have published more than 45 of his articles. He has been quoted in numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Global Investigations Review.
Stephen advises clients on laws and policies at the intersection of international business and national security. He previously served in the U.S. government on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S.
While in law school, Grace served as the legal intern at the U.S. Department of Commerce for the Office of Information and Communications Technology and Services (OICTS) and the Office of Chief Counsel for BIS (OCC/IS), and for the Office of General Counsel at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). Prior to law school, Grace worked as an administrator at a think tank specializing in international affairs and was a restaurateur.
Chambers UK noted that Mike is “a one-stop shop for global sanctions advice” who is “very responsive with his provision of highly commercial advice.” The publication also described Mike as “one of the most experienced practitioners in the market” who “understands and takes into consideration any necessary complexities and understands the importance of commerciality when giving recommendations.”
Mike has led numerous internal and government-initiated investigations involving potential violations of sanctions, export controls, anti-money laundering laws, anti-bribery laws, and fraud laws throughout the world. He has also represented individuals in pending and threatened litigation.
Mike regularly advises clients on a wide range of compliance issues. He works with clients to develop and implement state-of-the-art compliance programs, including corporate policies, training programs, and third-party procedures. Further, Mike assists clients with carrying out due diligence for many types of corporate transactions. He has successfully guided dozens of investors and companies through the NSI Act review process.
Prior to joining Wilson Sonsini, Mike was a partner in the London office of Kirkland & Ellis.
Mike is the author of Sanctions Enforcement and Compliance: A Practitioner’s Guide to OFAC, a treatise published by Bloomberg BNA. Additionally, leading legal publications have published more than 45 of his articles. He has been quoted in numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Global Investigations Review.
Stephen advises clients on laws and policies at the intersection of international business and national security. He previously served in the U.S. government on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S.
While in law school, Grace served as the legal intern at the U.S. Department of Commerce for the Office of Information and Communications Technology and Services (OICTS) and the Office of Chief Counsel for BIS (OCC/IS), and for the Office of General Counsel at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). Prior to law school, Grace worked as an administrator at a think tank specializing in international affairs and was a restaurateur.
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