Trade & National Security
Powering Global Trade
The geopolitical landscape never stops shifting, creating new and sometimes unprecedented challenges in time-tested industries—let alone technology and life sciences companies that are pushing the boundaries of innovation.
From Russia sanctions and trade restrictions on China to new export controls on emerging technologies and restrictions on cross-border investment, our team stays up to date on trade developments in the United States and globally to help you strategically navigate the complexities of evolving regulations, export controls, sanctions, foreign direct investment, and trade policy.
Our multidisciplinary team draws on the experience of our tech transactions and IP practice to provide technical and industry knowledge when performing product classifications, regulatory interpretations, and calls with regulators, and we work closely with our corporate team on high-stakes and complex transactions.
Innovative manufacturers, defense contractors, and emerging-tech developers at every stage turn to Fenwick for guidance on:
- Commercial & defense export controls under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) & International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)
- Nuclear regulations administered by the Department of Energy (DOE) & the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
- Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) economic sanctions
- Navigating existing & developing rules regarding the regulation of emerging technologies & digital trade
- Foreign direct investment & outbound investment regimes
- Strategy & business planning for shifting trade policy
- Obtaining licenses for certain activities in embargoed countries
- Anti-boycott & sanctions blocking rules
- Encryption & other product classification reviews
- Trade compliance risk assessments & compliance programs
- Human rights, supply chain, & forced-labor compliance
As the world economy becomes increasingly interconnected, foreign investment opportunities are only growing. Fenwick regularly advises clients developing advanced and emerging technologies—such as machine learning and AI-based image processing, satellite and geolocation services, next-generation aircraft, 3D printing, autonomous transportation and robotics, defense and space tech disruptors, and health and medical software—on complex transactions involving non-U.S. parties, including on Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and Foreign Ownership (CFIUS) reviews, as well as Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI) assessments relevant to federal procurement and security clearances.
As the world economy becomes increasingly interconnected, foreign investment opportunities are only growing. Fenwick regularly advises clients developing advanced and emerging technologies—such as machine learning and AI-based image processing, satellite and geolocation services, next-generation aircraft, 3D printing, autonomous transportation and robotics, defense and space tech disruptors, and health and medical software—on complex transactions involving non-U.S. parties, including on Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and Foreign Ownership (CFIUS) reviews, as well as Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI) assessments relevant to federal procurement and security clearances.
Knowledge is our stock-and-trade. Fenwick’s trade and national security team thrives on the cutting edge, advocating on your behalf daily before the U.S. government by:
- Drafting requests & obtaining formal regulatory guidance
- Obtaining export & sanctions licenses & other approvals
- Advising on rulemakings
- Obtaining commodity classification & jurisdiction requests
- Developing trade compliance programs tailored to clients’ operations
- Obtaining facility security clearances
- Conducting internal investigations, audits, & risk assessments
- Preparing complex voluntary disclosures
- Responding to administrative & criminal subpoenas
- Negotiating resolutions to enforcement matters
- Coordinating meetings for clients with regulators
Keeping a close eye on and forging relationships with U.S. trade regulators, policymakers, and Congress allows us to serve as resources and advocate directly to federal agencies. This allows us to develop the knowledge and foresight that helps you plan for trade control developments in the United States and abroad and address changing compliance requirements quickly and seamlessly.
Knowledge is our stock-and-trade. Fenwick’s trade and national security team thrives on the cutting edge, advocating on your behalf daily before the U.S. government by:
- Drafting requests & obtaining formal regulatory guidance
- Obtaining export & sanctions licenses & other approvals
- Advising on rulemakings
- Obtaining commodity classification & jurisdiction requests
- Developing trade compliance programs tailored to clients’ operations
- Obtaining facility security clearances
- Conducting internal investigations, audits, & risk assessments
- Preparing complex voluntary disclosures
- Responding to administrative & criminal subpoenas
- Negotiating resolutions to enforcement matters
- Coordinating meetings for clients with regulators
Keeping a close eye on and forging relationships with U.S. trade regulators, policymakers, and Congress allows us to serve as resources and advocate directly to federal agencies. This allows us to develop the knowledge and foresight that helps you plan for trade control developments in the United States and abroad and address changing compliance requirements quickly and seamlessly.
