National Security and Trade
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Advising Clients Engaged in Global Commerce and Trade
Wilson Sonsini advises clients on sensitive global commerce areas that are commonly regulated by U.S. government enforcement agencies.
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Comprehensive Regulatory Counsel and Representation
Wilson Sonsini's national security and trade attorneys advise clients on the applicability of government restrictions and licensing requirements; help companies obtain government approvals; represent clients facing government inquiries and investigations; advise companies on internal and board investigations; and undertake diligence and negotiations in conjunction with investments and mergers and acquisitions.
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A Team Anchored by Former U.S. Enforcement Agency Officials
Wilson Sonsini's national security and trade attorneys have served as officials in the U.S. Departments of Defense (both civilian and military officers), Commerce, Justice, Homeland Security, the CIA, and the Federal Aviation Authority.
Wilson Sonsini has a highly regarded national security and trade practice group. Our team includes many attorneys ranked nationally and internationally by various ranking services. We advise clients—ranging from U.S. and foreign investors, to large multinational companies, to small start-ups, to industry associations—regarding an array of U.S. national security, foreign policy, and related legal issues, including the following:
- The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)
- Export Controls and Sanctions
- Tariffs, Customs, and Import Compliance
- Corruption, Bribery, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)
- Anti-Money Laundering
- Government Contracts, including Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI)
- Team Telecom & the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Clients seek our advice regarding the applicability of various government prohibitions and licensing requirements and other approvals; assistance with obtaining such approvals; government inquiries and investigations, internal company and board investigations, and diligence and negotiations regarding investments and mergers and acquisitions.
National security issues arise frequently for technology and life science companies and investors, particularly in the context of cross-border transactions and the movements of goods, technology, people, services, and money. We are well-positioned to navigate these issues, drawing not only on our industry experience but also on our experience in the U.S. government. Our national security and trade attorneys have served as officials in the U.S. Departments of Defense (both civilian and military officers), Commerce, Justice, Homeland Security, the CIA, and the Federal Aviation Authority. We can serve as a bridge between clients and Washington, D.C.
Click on the links above to find out more about our specific areas of practice.
Overview
Wilson Sonsini has a highly regarded national security and trade practice group. Our team includes many attorneys ranked nationally and internationally by various ranking services. We advise clients—ranging from U.S. and foreign investors, to large multinational companies, to small start-ups, to industry associations—regarding an array of U.S. national security, foreign policy, and related legal issues, including the following:
- The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)
- Export Controls and Sanctions
- Tariffs, Customs, and Import Compliance
- Corruption, Bribery, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)
- Anti-Money Laundering
- Government Contracts, including Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI)
- Team Telecom & the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Clients seek our advice regarding the applicability of various government prohibitions and licensing requirements and other approvals; assistance with obtaining such approvals; government inquiries and investigations, internal company and board investigations, and diligence and negotiations regarding investments and mergers and acquisitions.
National security issues arise frequently for technology and life science companies and investors, particularly in the context of cross-border transactions and the movements of goods, technology, people, services, and money. We are well-positioned to navigate these issues, drawing not only on our industry experience but also on our experience in the U.S. government. Our national security and trade attorneys have served as officials in the U.S. Departments of Defense (both civilian and military officers), Commerce, Justice, Homeland Security, the CIA, and the Federal Aviation Authority. We can serve as a bridge between clients and Washington, D.C.
Click on the links above to find out more about our specific areas of practice.
Alerts
China’s Enhanced National Security “Great Wall”– Supply Chain Security, Red Lines, and Blocking Rules
Recently, the People’s Republic of China (PRC or China) introduced further unprecedented national security measures spanning sanctions, supply chain security, and data security, in addition to blocking rules to protect the internal market from the extraterritorial effects of certain foreign regulatory measures. These developments build on the PRC’s already well-established national security framework, and underscore China’s determination to construct a fortified system designed to shield its supply chains and legal order from foreign influences it deems unjustified. These measures increasingly create potential conflicts of law and pose complex compliance, governance, and commercial challenges for businesses striving to navigate multiple major regulatory regimes worldwide.
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises Credo on Regulatory Matters Related to Acquisition of DustPhotonics
On May 28, 2026, Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd (Credo), an innovator in providing connectivity at scale through fast, reliable, and energy-efficient system solutions, announced that it has completed its acquisition of DustPhotonics in a transaction valued up to $1.3 billion. DustPhotonics brings industry-leading silicon photonics photonic integrated circuit (SiPho PIC) technology for optical connectivity, deepening Credo’s optical interconnect portfolio across 800G, 1.6T, and 3.2T near-packaged optics (NPO) and co-packaged optics (CPO). Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised Credo on regulatory matters related to the transaction.
Alerts
Proposed Department of Defense Rule Requires FOCI Mitigation for Unclassified Contracts Valued at More than $5 Million
On May 7, 2026, the Department of Defense (DoD) proposed changes to the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) that, when finalized, will impact nearly 38,000 defense contractors and subcontractors. The proposed changes will require companies to disclose foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI), which they must mitigate before the contracting officer can award, modify, or extend a contract.
Alerts
The “Friendly Buyer” Fallacy: Why U.S. Ownership Is No Longer a Regulatory Safe Bet
Over the past decade, the number of countries with foreign direct investment (FDI) screening regimes has more than doubled. What was once a niche, rarely-used regulatory tool has become a standard feature of global deal-making and a routine consideration in cross-border M&A, including U.S. to U.S. transactions that involve the indirect acquisition of foreign subsidiaries. As jurisdictions continue to strengthen their FDI screening regimes, parties are seeing more U.S.-led deals encounter longer and more intrusive reviews and increasingly complex conditions as a condition of approval.
Alerts
FCC Sets New Satellite Spectrum Sharing Framework
On April 30, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted an Order fundamentally revising how satellite systems share spectrum in the Ku and Ka bands, replacing the decades-old Equivalent Power Flux Density (EPFD) limits with a performance-based coordination framework for managing interference between geostationary (GSO) and non-geostationary (NGSO) satellite systems. By reforming the EPFD regime, the FCC has removed a longstanding regulatory constraint that was developed to protect GSO systems but has arguably limited NGSO operators’ ability to deliver high-speed, low-latency broadband services.
Client Advisories
North Korea-Linked Schemes to Obtain Employment in U.S. Tech Companies: What You Need to Know and How to Respond
During the past few years, operatives associated with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea or the DPRK) have reportedly infiltrated hundreds of U.S. companies by fraudulently posing as legitimate remote IT workers. The perpetrators, together with accomplices across multiple jurisdictions (including inside the U.S.), funnel wages back to North Korea in violation of economic sanctions, and in many cases steal company data, source code, and trade secrets. In a smaller subset of cases, after being discovered and terminated, perpetrators have released, or threatened to release, sensitive company data and attempted to extort ransom payments.
Insights
Alerts
China’s Enhanced National Security “Great Wall”– Supply Chain Security, Red Lines, and Blocking Rules
Recently, the People’s Republic of China (PRC or China) introduced further unprecedented national security measures spanning sanctions, supply chain security, and data security, in addition to blocking rules to protect the internal market from the extraterritorial effects of certain foreign regulatory measures. These developments build on the PRC’s already well-established national security framework, and underscore China’s determination to construct a fortified system designed to shield its supply chains and legal order from foreign influences it deems unjustified. These measures increasingly create potential conflicts of law and pose complex compliance, governance, and commercial challenges for businesses striving to navigate multiple major regulatory regimes worldwide.
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises Credo on Regulatory Matters Related to Acquisition of DustPhotonics
On May 28, 2026, Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd (Credo), an innovator in providing connectivity at scale through fast, reliable, and energy-efficient system solutions, announced that it has completed its acquisition of DustPhotonics in a transaction valued up to $1.3 billion. DustPhotonics brings industry-leading silicon photonics photonic integrated circuit (SiPho PIC) technology for optical connectivity, deepening Credo’s optical interconnect portfolio across 800G, 1.6T, and 3.2T near-packaged optics (NPO) and co-packaged optics (CPO). Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised Credo on regulatory matters related to the transaction.
Alerts
Proposed Department of Defense Rule Requires FOCI Mitigation for Unclassified Contracts Valued at More than $5 Million
On May 7, 2026, the Department of Defense (DoD) proposed changes to the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) that, when finalized, will impact nearly 38,000 defense contractors and subcontractors. The proposed changes will require companies to disclose foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI), which they must mitigate before the contracting officer can award, modify, or extend a contract.
Alerts
The “Friendly Buyer” Fallacy: Why U.S. Ownership Is No Longer a Regulatory Safe Bet
Over the past decade, the number of countries with foreign direct investment (FDI) screening regimes has more than doubled. What was once a niche, rarely-used regulatory tool has become a standard feature of global deal-making and a routine consideration in cross-border M&A, including U.S. to U.S. transactions that involve the indirect acquisition of foreign subsidiaries. As jurisdictions continue to strengthen their FDI screening regimes, parties are seeing more U.S.-led deals encounter longer and more intrusive reviews and increasingly complex conditions as a condition of approval.
Alerts
FCC Sets New Satellite Spectrum Sharing Framework
On April 30, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted an Order fundamentally revising how satellite systems share spectrum in the Ku and Ka bands, replacing the decades-old Equivalent Power Flux Density (EPFD) limits with a performance-based coordination framework for managing interference between geostationary (GSO) and non-geostationary (NGSO) satellite systems. By reforming the EPFD regime, the FCC has removed a longstanding regulatory constraint that was developed to protect GSO systems but has arguably limited NGSO operators’ ability to deliver high-speed, low-latency broadband services.
Client Advisories
North Korea-Linked Schemes to Obtain Employment in U.S. Tech Companies: What You Need to Know and How to Respond
During the past few years, operatives associated with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea or the DPRK) have reportedly infiltrated hundreds of U.S. companies by fraudulently posing as legitimate remote IT workers. The perpetrators, together with accomplices across multiple jurisdictions (including inside the U.S.), funnel wages back to North Korea in violation of economic sanctions, and in many cases steal company data, source code, and trade secrets. In a smaller subset of cases, after being discovered and terminated, perpetrators have released, or threatened to release, sensitive company data and attempted to extort ransom payments.
Affiliated Programs
European Forum on Global Economic Sanctions
As sanctions regimes continue to evolve in scope, speed, and enforcement, compliance and legal leaders face increasing pressure to anticipate risk and respond with precision. This year’s European Forum on Global Economic Sanctions delivers timely regulatory insights, real-world enforcement perspectives, and forward-looking strategies from senior government officials, regulators, and industry leaders. Through industry-led discussions and high-value peer exchange, attendees will gain practical tools to strengthen compliance frameworks, manage exposure, and stay ahead of emerging global risks.
WSGR Events
Navigating National Security Risks in Life Sciences
As geopolitical concerns create hurdles for cross-border collaboration in biotechnology and life sciences, maintaining visibility into evolving national security and trade requirements is critical for effective global partnering. Wilson Sonsini’s National Security and Trade team invites you to join a webinar exploring recent national security and trade law developments affecting life sciences companies, including how companies are navigating the resulting challenges.
Speaking Engagements
ACI’s Virtual Passport to Proficiency on U.S. Customs Compliance
On January 27, 2026, Wilson Sonsini partner-elect Jahna Hartwig will be speaking at American Conference Institute’s Virtual Passport to Proficiency on U.S. Customs Compliance. Alongside Kelly Herman, Corporate Counsel at nVent, Jahna will lead the session, Strengthening Your Customs Compliance Program and Audit Readiness—and What to Do When Things Go Wrong. They will discuss how to evaluate customs compliance programs, considerations for tailoring a compliance program to a company, and how to manage U.S. Customs and Border Protection inquiries. An immersive, intermediate-level masterclass on compliance, tariff mitigation, and audit readiness, ACI’s Passport to Proficiency on U.S. Customs Compliance brings together customs compliance professionals, brokers, in-house counsel, and outside counsel to discuss best practices for navigating key issues in the industry. To learn more, visit their website.
Affiliated Programs
15th London Forum on Global Economic Sanctions
The firm is proud to sponsor the 15th London Forum on Global Economic Sanctions, a conference that unites top government, legal, and industry experts to deliver practical insights on today’s most urgent global sanctions challenges. Join us to engage in strategic dialogue, professional development, and valuable business connections.
Speaking Engagements
2025 Society for International Affairs Fall Advanced Conference
Wilson Sonsini senior counsel Waqas Shahid will join panelists for the discussion, "Implement AI in Your Trade Compliance Program," where they will explore how companies are integrating AI in trade compliance processes and tools. Panelists will delve into experiences and best practices for working with internal and external partners in the rapidly changing field of trade compliance powered by AI during the 2025 Society for International Affairs Fall Advanced Conference. For more information and to register, please visit the event website.
Speaking Engagements
Helsinki Geoeconomics Week 2025
From August 11–14, 2025, Wilson Sonsini partner Stephen Heifetz will participate in the Helsinki Geoeconomics Week, hosted by the Helsinki Geoeconomics Society. On August 11, Stephen will speak on the panel “Capital Under Siege: Geopolitical Filters and Retaliatory Investment Risk.” On August 12, he will join the session “Economic Lawfare: How States Use Law as a Weapon of Advantage.” The annual Helsinki Geoeconomics Week is attended by global policymakers, corporate strategists, financial experts, and academics, who focus on bridging the gap between theory and practice in geoeconomics. For more information about the event, you can visit the event website.
Events
Affiliated Programs
European Forum on Global Economic Sanctions
As sanctions regimes continue to evolve in scope, speed, and enforcement, compliance and legal leaders face increasing pressure to anticipate risk and respond with precision. This year’s European Forum on Global Economic Sanctions delivers timely regulatory insights, real-world enforcement perspectives, and forward-looking strategies from senior government officials, regulators, and industry leaders. Through industry-led discussions and high-value peer exchange, attendees will gain practical tools to strengthen compliance frameworks, manage exposure, and stay ahead of emerging global risks.
WSGR Events
Navigating National Security Risks in Life Sciences
As geopolitical concerns create hurdles for cross-border collaboration in biotechnology and life sciences, maintaining visibility into evolving national security and trade requirements is critical for effective global partnering. Wilson Sonsini’s National Security and Trade team invites you to join a webinar exploring recent national security and trade law developments affecting life sciences companies, including how companies are navigating the resulting challenges.
Speaking Engagements
ACI’s Virtual Passport to Proficiency on U.S. Customs Compliance
On January 27, 2026, Wilson Sonsini partner-elect Jahna Hartwig will be speaking at American Conference Institute’s Virtual Passport to Proficiency on U.S. Customs Compliance. Alongside Kelly Herman, Corporate Counsel at nVent, Jahna will lead the session, Strengthening Your Customs Compliance Program and Audit Readiness—and What to Do When Things Go Wrong. They will discuss how to evaluate customs compliance programs, considerations for tailoring a compliance program to a company, and how to manage U.S. Customs and Border Protection inquiries. An immersive, intermediate-level masterclass on compliance, tariff mitigation, and audit readiness, ACI’s Passport to Proficiency on U.S. Customs Compliance brings together customs compliance professionals, brokers, in-house counsel, and outside counsel to discuss best practices for navigating key issues in the industry. To learn more, visit their website.
Affiliated Programs
15th London Forum on Global Economic Sanctions
The firm is proud to sponsor the 15th London Forum on Global Economic Sanctions, a conference that unites top government, legal, and industry experts to deliver practical insights on today’s most urgent global sanctions challenges. Join us to engage in strategic dialogue, professional development, and valuable business connections.
Speaking Engagements
2025 Society for International Affairs Fall Advanced Conference
Wilson Sonsini senior counsel Waqas Shahid will join panelists for the discussion, "Implement AI in Your Trade Compliance Program," where they will explore how companies are integrating AI in trade compliance processes and tools. Panelists will delve into experiences and best practices for working with internal and external partners in the rapidly changing field of trade compliance powered by AI during the 2025 Society for International Affairs Fall Advanced Conference. For more information and to register, please visit the event website.
Speaking Engagements
Helsinki Geoeconomics Week 2025
From August 11–14, 2025, Wilson Sonsini partner Stephen Heifetz will participate in the Helsinki Geoeconomics Week, hosted by the Helsinki Geoeconomics Society. On August 11, Stephen will speak on the panel “Capital Under Siege: Geopolitical Filters and Retaliatory Investment Risk.” On August 12, he will join the session “Economic Lawfare: How States Use Law as a Weapon of Advantage.” The annual Helsinki Geoeconomics Week is attended by global policymakers, corporate strategists, financial experts, and academics, who focus on bridging the gap between theory and practice in geoeconomics. For more information about the event, you can visit the event website.
Demian Ahn
Partner
Demian Ahn is a member of the firm’s data, privacy, and cybersecurity practice based in Washington, D.C. He leads the firm’s incident response practice and advises companies on compliance, regulatory, and crisis management matters relating to emerging technologies of all kinds.
Josephine Aiello LeBeau
Partner
Josephine focuses on matters related to compliance and enforcement of U.S. export control and sanctions.
Mark Bass
Partner
Mark Bass is a partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where he works with public and private technology companies at all stages of growth. He also represents venture capital funds, private equity firms, and investment banks in financings and public offerings.
Michael S. Casey
Partner
Mike Casey is a dual-qualified, Chambers-ranked (Band 1) partner in Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati’s London office. His practice focuses on advising clients on sanctions, export controls, anti-corruption, and anti-money laundering issues in investigations, counseling, and compliance matters. In addition, he regularly acts as a specialist in mergers, acquisitions, venture financings, lending arrangements, and other types of corporate transactions. He also frequently advises clients on the UK’s National Security and Investment Act and other foreign direct investment review regimes.
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.
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.
Weiheng Chen
Partner
Weiheng leads Wilson Sonsini's Greater China practice and he focuses on capital markets, M&A, and private equity transactions.
Jocelyn Chow
Partner
Jocelyn Chow is a regulatory and compliance partner in the Hong Kong office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. With a focus on antitrust, national security, and international trade matters, Jocelyn advises multinational corporations on all aspects of antitrust law, global economic and trade sanctions, export controls, import controls, rules of origin, and foreign investment controls. She works with companies operating across numerous industrial sectors, including defense, bioscience, advanced engineering and technology, aviation, telecommunications and broadcasting, and financial services.
Mark R. Fitzgerald
Partner
Mark is a veteran attorney who advises technology and life sciences companies on corporate law and transactional matters.
Joshua F. Gruenspecht
Partner
Joshua advises domestic and foreign investors, funds, established companies and startups in regulatory, investigative, and enforcement matters.
Jahna Hartwig
Partner
Jahna Hartwig is a partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where she advises domestic and foreign companies on compliance with international trade laws.
Stephen R. Heifetz
Partner
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.
People
Demian Ahn
Partner
Demian Ahn is a member of the firm’s data, privacy, and cybersecurity practice based in Washington, D.C. He leads the firm’s incident response practice and advises companies on compliance, regulatory, and crisis management matters relating to emerging technologies of all kinds.
Josephine Aiello LeBeau
Partner
Josephine focuses on matters related to compliance and enforcement of U.S. export control and sanctions.
Mark Bass
Partner
Mark Bass is a partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where he works with public and private technology companies at all stages of growth. He also represents venture capital funds, private equity firms, and investment banks in financings and public offerings.
Michael S. Casey
Partner
Mike Casey is a dual-qualified, Chambers-ranked (Band 1) partner in Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati’s London office. His practice focuses on advising clients on sanctions, export controls, anti-corruption, and anti-money laundering issues in investigations, counseling, and compliance matters. In addition, he regularly acts as a specialist in mergers, acquisitions, venture financings, lending arrangements, and other types of corporate transactions. He also frequently advises clients on the UK’s National Security and Investment Act and other foreign direct investment review regimes.
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.
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.
Weiheng Chen
Partner
Weiheng leads Wilson Sonsini's Greater China practice and he focuses on capital markets, M&A, and private equity transactions.
Jocelyn Chow
Partner
Jocelyn Chow is a regulatory and compliance partner in the Hong Kong office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. With a focus on antitrust, national security, and international trade matters, Jocelyn advises multinational corporations on all aspects of antitrust law, global economic and trade sanctions, export controls, import controls, rules of origin, and foreign investment controls. She works with companies operating across numerous industrial sectors, including defense, bioscience, advanced engineering and technology, aviation, telecommunications and broadcasting, and financial services.
Mark R. Fitzgerald
Partner
Mark is a veteran attorney who advises technology and life sciences companies on corporate law and transactional matters.
Joshua F. Gruenspecht
Partner
Joshua advises domestic and foreign investors, funds, established companies and startups in regulatory, investigative, and enforcement matters.
Jahna Hartwig
Partner
Jahna Hartwig is a partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where she advises domestic and foreign companies on compliance with international trade laws.
Stephen R. Heifetz
Partner
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.
Related Practices
- Anti-Money Laundering
- Board and Internal Investigations
- Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)
- Export Control and Sanctions
- FCPA and Anti-Corruption
- Antitrust Criminal Enforcement
- Government Investigations
- Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI)
- Tariffs, Customs, and Import Compliance
- Team Telecom
- White Collar Crime
Recent Insights
Alerts
China’s Enhanced National Security “Great Wall”– Supply Chain Security, Red Lines, and Blocking Rules
Recently, the People’s Republic of China (PRC or China) introduced further unprecedented national security measures spanning sanctions, supply chain security, and data security, in addition to blocking rules to protect the internal market from the extraterritorial effects of certain foreign regulatory measures. These developments build on the PRC’s already well-established national security framework, and underscore China’s determination to construct a fortified system designed to shield its supply chains and legal order from foreign influences it deems unjustified. These measures increasingly create potential conflicts of law and pose complex compliance, governance, and commercial challenges for businesses striving to navigate multiple major regulatory regimes worldwide.
Learn More
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises Credo on Regulatory Matters Related to Acquisition of DustPhotonics
On May 28, 2026, Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd (Credo), an innovator in providing connectivity at scale through fast, reliable, and energy-efficient system solutions, announced that it has completed its acquisition of DustPhotonics in a transaction valued up to $1.3 billion. DustPhotonics brings industry-leading silicon photonics photonic integrated circuit (SiPho PIC) technology for optical connectivity, deepening Credo’s optical interconnect portfolio across 800G, 1.6T, and 3.2T near-packaged optics (NPO) and co-packaged optics (CPO). Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised Credo on regulatory matters related to the transaction.
Learn More
Recent Events
Affiliated Programs
European Forum on Global Economic Sanctions
As sanctions regimes continue to evolve in scope, speed, and enforcement, compliance and legal leaders face increasing pressure to anticipate risk and respond with precision. This year’s European Forum on Global Economic Sanctions delivers timely regulatory insights, real-world enforcement perspectives, and forward-looking strategies from senior government officials, regulators, and industry leaders. Through industry-led discussions and high-value peer exchange, attendees will gain practical tools to strengthen compliance frameworks, manage exposure, and stay ahead of emerging global risks.
Learn More
WSGR Events
Navigating National Security Risks in Life Sciences
As geopolitical concerns create hurdles for cross-border collaboration in biotechnology and life sciences, maintaining visibility into evolving national security and trade requirements is critical for effective global partnering. Wilson Sonsini’s National Security and Trade team invites you to join a webinar exploring recent national security and trade law developments affecting life sciences companies, including how companies are navigating the resulting challenges.
Learn More
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