On November 8, 2017, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a long-awaited bill that could significantly alter the process by which the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States ("CFIUS" or the "Committee") reviews foreign investment in the United States.
Client Alert | November 10, 2017
Public companies face unique challenges as they confront and seek to manage OFAC, AML and FCPA compliance risk. Disclosure obligations and market reactions can intensify the pressures arising from alleged or actual violations of these laws.
Webcasts | November 1, 2017
On Friday, October 13, 2017, President Trump announced a significant change in U.S. policy towards Iran by declaring his intention to refuse to certify to Congress that the 2015 Iran nuclear deal was in the national security interests of the United States.
Client Alert | October 16, 2017
On September 20, 2017, the Trump Administration issued a new Executive Order No. 13810, imposing additional sanctions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea ("DPRK" or "North Korea"), with dramatic implications for foreign persons involved in North Korean trade.
Client Alert | September 26, 2017
On September 5, 2017, the Trump Administration announced the termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program ("DACA"). Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the Administration's decision in remarks delivered on Tuesday morning. Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke subsequently issued a memorandum formally rescinding the program, after which the White House issued a separate statement explaining President Trump's decision.
Client Alert | September 5, 2017
Continuing an active month of increased sanctions pressure on Venezuela, on August 24, 2017, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order imposing a unique set of sanctions targeting transactions involving debt and equity of the Venezuelan government, including Venezuela's state-owned oil company Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A.
Client Alert | September 1, 2017
Last month, we wrote to you about a "Blockbuster Week in U.S. Sanctions" during which the Senate overwhelmingly approved of a bill that would expand sanctions imposed against Iran and Russia.
Client Alert | July 28, 2017
Gibson Dunn previously issued several client alerts regarding President Trump's January 27, 2017 and March 6, 2017 Executive Orders restricting entry into the United States for individuals from certain nations and making other immigration-related policy changes.
Client Alert | June 29, 2017
In the aftermath of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, many of you asked us how U.S. sanctions would change under the Trump Administration. Pointing to President Trump's extensive criticism of former President Barack Obama's foreign policy, we predicted significant developments with the Iran and Cuba sanctions programs, and noted that Congress might make its own attempts to force the President's hand with respect to sanctions on the Russian Federation. These predictions have borne out. In the space of one week, the U.S.
Client Alert | June 19, 2017
As we pass the four-month mark of the Trump Administration, uncertainty remains regarding how the new administration will implement its international trade agenda. In light of President Trump's strong campaign criticisms of President Obama's trade policies, we continue to vigilantly monitor all developments surrounding the new administration's economic sanctions policies. Despite strong rhetoric to the contrary, early developments within the U.S.
Client Alert | June 12, 2017
On May 24, 2017, representatives of steel companies, manufactures, trade associations, several sovereign countries, and the U.S.
Client Alert | June 9, 2017
U.S. presidential candidate Donald J. Trump's oft-repeated criticism of President Obama's Iran diplomacy and the resulting nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ("JCPOA"), led many observers to conclude that President Trump would move quickly to dismantle the agreement and the significant sanctions relief that came with it.
Client Alert | May 23, 2017
Gibson Dunn previously issued several client alerts regarding President Trump's January 27, 2017 and March 6, 2017 Executive Orders restricting entry into the United States for individuals from certain nations and making other immigration-related policy changes.
Client Alert | March 16, 2017
Gibson Dunn previously issued several client alerts regarding President Trump's January 27, 2017, Executive Order restricting entry into the United States for individuals from certain nations and making other immigration-related policy changes.
Client Alert | March 7, 2017
Washington, D.C. partner Howard Hogan is the author of "Recent Developments in Counterfeiting," published by The Luxury Law Alliance on February 24, 2017.
Article | February 24, 2017
Washington, D.C. partner Adam Smith is the author of "Over Reliance on Sanctions Will Not Help Anyone's Cause," [PDF] published by Gulf News on February 21, 2017.
Article | February 21, 2017
On Monday, January 30, 2017, Gibson Dunn issued a client alert regarding President Trump's January 27 Executive Order restricting entry into the United States for individuals from certain nations, and making other immigration-related policy changes.
Client Alert | February 10, 2017
This briefing highlights recent developments and emerging issues with respect to economic and trade sanctions. Topics discussed include: A Detailed Look at the Iran Nuclear Deal:
Webcasts | February 8, 2017
2016 was a pivotal year in global sanctions implementation, relaxation and enforcement. Against a backdrop of rising nationalism, the international community rallied behind the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ("JCPOA"), a deal to ease sanctions on Iran in exchange for limitations on the country’s nuclear program.
Client Alert | February 6, 2017
Less than 48 hours after President Donald J.
Client Alert | February 3, 2017
On Monday, January 30, 2017, Gibson Dunn issued a client alert regarding President Trump's January 27 Executive Order restricting entry into the United States for individuals from certain nations and making other immigration-related policy changes.
Client Alert | February 1, 2017
On January 27, 2017, President Trump issued an Executive Order entitled "Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States."
Client Alert | January 30, 2017
The year 2016 has been another of continuing developments in the UK's white collar sector. These have ranged from the Competition and Markets Authority's largest ever fine, to the UK's second deferred prosecution agreement, to the continuing enforcement efforts of the Serious Fraud Office ("SFO"), National Crime Agency ("NCA") and the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"), as well as of a myriad range of other enforcement bodies.
Client Alert | January 11, 2017
On December 29, 2016, in response to Russia's alleged efforts to influence the 2016 U.S. Presidential election through cyber operations, President Obama issued an Executive Order "Taking Additional Steps to Address the National Emergency with Respect to Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities." Through this Executive Order ("E.O."), the Obama administration imposed sanctions on Russia's two leading intelligence services – the GRU and the FSB – as well as four top officers of the GRU and three companies that provided materials support to GRU's cyber operations.
Client Alert | December 30, 2016
Just over a week has passed since the results of the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election were announced. As President-elect Donald J.
Client Alert | November 18, 2016
On October 14, 2016, the Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") of the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Bureau of Industry and Security ("BIS") of the U.S.
Client Alert | November 4, 2016
Washington, D.C. partner Judith Lee and counsel Jeffrey Steiner are the authors of "Legal Implications of Expanded Use of Blockchain Technology" [PDF] published in the November 2016 issue of Financier Worldwide.
Article | November 1, 2016
On October 2, 2016, the DOJ's National Security Division issued a memorandum entitled "Guidance Regarding Voluntary Self-Disclosures, Cooperation, and Remediation in Export Control and Sanctions Investigations Involving Business Organizations" (the "Guidance"). The Guidance specifies the DOJ's expectations for self-disclosure, cooperation, and remediation for companies seeking maximum mitigation credit in prosecutions for violations of the export-control and sanctions laws under the Arms Export Control Act ("AECA") and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ("IEEPA"). As a way of background, the AECA is administered by the U.S.
Client Alert | October 28, 2016
On October 7, 2016, the Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") of the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued additional guidance for non-U.S. persons engaging in transactions with Iranian counterparties pursuant to sanctions relief granted on "Implementation Day," January 16, 2016, under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ("JCPOA"), the Iran nuclear deal finalized in July 2015.
Client Alert | October 24, 2016
On October 7, 2016, the Obama Administration announced the lifting of almost all remaining sanctions against Myanmar. The unwinding of sanctions comes on the heels of Aung San Suu Kyi's visit to the White House on September 14, 2016. This comprehensive unwinding of sanctions concludes a gradual relief process that first began in 2012. Most recently, on May 17, 2016, the Administration announced further easing of sanctions on Myanmar in response to Myanmar's historic November 2015 elections in which the National League for Democracy (NLD) – the long-time opposition party led by Aung San Suu Kyi – won an overwhelming majority of seats in the national legislature.
Client Alert | October 10, 2016
This alert follows on from our inaugural 2015 Year End UK White Collar Crime Update. The continuing pace of development, enforcement and change has encouraged us to produce this update on a bi-annual basis.
Client Alert | September 22, 2016
On July 27, 2016, the U.S. Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced an expansion of the Geographic Targeting Orders (GTOs) targeting alleged money laundering risk in the real estate sector.
Client Alert | August 1, 2016
The U.S.
Client Alert | July 6, 2016
London partner A. Stephen Gillespie is the author of "Key Issues for US Firms to Know about UK Decision to Brexit" [PDF] published on July 6, 2016 by Daily Journal.
Article | July 6, 2016
After more than a year of considering public comments on its February 23, 2015 proposed rules regulating the commercial use of small (weighing less than 55 pounds) unmanned aircraft systems ("UAS" or "drones"), the United States Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA") on June 22, 2016 issued its final rule, bringing the use of drones one step closer to mainstream commercial integration.While the personal and commercial use of drones has mushroomed in recent years, a practical regulatory framework has lagged behind the technological innovation and economic demand driving the boom. Proponents of the commercial use of drones have argued that this regulatory lag was stifling the growth of a market that is estimated to generate over $80 billion in t
Client Alert | June 27, 2016
On June 8, 2016, the Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") of the U.S. Department of the Treasury further clarified the scope of sanctions relief granted on "Implementation Day" (January 16, 2016) under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ("JCPOA"), the landmark Iran nuclear deal that was finalized in July 2015. Through publication of several new Frequently Asked Questions ("FAQs"), OFAC offered additional guidance on the application of General License H ("GL H"), which authorizes foreign entities owned or controlled by U.S.
Client Alert | June 16, 2016
What is the Negative Investment List? The "Negative Investment List" or "DNI" is a regulation issued under Indonesian law which sets out a list of industry sectors in Indonesia for which foreign investment is either prohibited, permitted or conditionally permitted.
Client Alert | June 6, 2016
London partners Cyrus Benson, Penny Madden and associate Ceyda Knoebel are the authors of chapter 1 of The Investment Treaty Arbitration Review, "Covered Investment" [PDF] published in 2016 by Law Business Research.
Article | June 1, 2016
On May 23, 2016, President Obama announced a full lifting of the ban on weapons sales to Vietnam during his official visit to the country. Following the President's announcement, the United States Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls ("DDTC") stated that, effective immediately, and pursuant to a decision made by the Secretary of State, the Department of State's policy prohibiting the sale or transfer of lethal weapons to Vietnam has been terminated.
Client Alert | May 26, 2016
On May 17, 2016, the Obama Administration announced a continuation of its easing of sanctions on Myanmar. Since the first round of relief was issued in 2013, the United States has consistently held that more relief was possible if Myanmar continued on its path towards democratization.
Client Alert | May 20, 2016
Under U.S. sanctions regulations, U.S. persons have been prohibited from dealing with a number of individuals and entities with connections to the Hizballah organization, by way of designation to the Specially Designated Nationals ("SDN") and Blocked Persons List maintained by the U.S.
Client Alert | April 19, 2016
This 90 minute briefing provides an update on the extraordinary events of the last year with respect to economic and trade sanctions. The briefing will cover sanctions in the European Union and United Kingdom as well as United States sanctions, and will include particular emphasis on recent developments and emerging issues that affect in-house counsel, compliance personnel, directors and senior executives.
Webcasts | March 24, 2016
On January 13, 2016, the U.S.
Client Alert | February 11, 2016
On January 21, 2016, the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security implemented significant changes to the Visa Waiver Program ("VWP") that can severely impede the ability of executives and employees of foreign companies to visit the United States.
Client Alert | February 4, 2016
THE UNITED STATESI. Major Program Developments A. Iran 1. Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) a. Negotiation and Signing of JCPOA--July 14, 2015On July 14, 2015, the E3/EU+3 (China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States) signed the Joint Com
Client Alert | February 2, 2016
The rise of international enforcement efforts and sanctions, the intensifying impact of cyber breaches, the evolution of shareholder activism, and the growing complexity of regulatory requirements are all examples of the expansive array of challenges facing today's compliance professionals.
Webcasts | January 20, 2016
On January 16, 2016, the comprehensive international sanctions restricting dealings with Iran and Iranian entities were substantially eased. Financial institutions and businesses hoping to access the Iranian market have new, immediate and substantial opportunities to do so; but this potential comes with continued complexities, ambiguities, and risks, particularly for U.S.
Client Alert | January 18, 2016
2015 was a blockbuster year in corporate non-prosecution agreements ("NPA") and deferred prosecution agreements ("DPA"), by sheer numbers alone. Skyrocketing to 100, in 2015 the number of agreements more than doubled the numbers in every prior year since 2000, when Gibson Dunn first began tracking NPA and DPA data.
Client Alert | January 5, 2016
As we kick off our second decade of updates on the state of play in international anti-corruption enforcement, the stakes for multinational companies have never been higher.
Client Alert | January 4, 2016
Following the recent historic election in Myanmar in which Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy won a landslide victory, the political landscape in the country continues to evolve at a fast pace.
Client Alert | December 10, 2015