Webcast: Global Sanctions Update

March 17, 2015

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.

Topics Discussed Include:

United States:

Response to Developments in Ukraine

  • Overview of various sanctions established by executive orders and related general licenses and guidance
  • Implementation of Sectoral Sanctions
  • Crimea sanctions
  • Legislative initiatives

Cuba Sanctions

  • Policy developments and related regulatory changes

Iran Sanctions

  • Joint Plan of Action status
  • General licenses and sanctions guidance

Legislation

  • Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014
  • Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act

Executive Orders

  • Executive Order 13664 “Blocking Property of Certain Persons with Respect to South Sudan”
  • Executive Order 13667 “Blocking Property of Certain Persons Contributing to the Conflict in the Central African Republic”
  • Executive Order 13668 “Ending Immunities Granted to the Development Fund for Iraq and Certain Other Iraqi Property and Interests in Property Pursuant to Executive Order 13303, as Amended”
  • Executive Order 13671 “Taking Additional Steps to Address the National Emergency with respect to the Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo”
  • Executive Order 13687 “Imposing Additional Sanctions With Respect To North Korea”

Government Agency Guidance

  • Updated frequently asked questions regarding Burma sanctions
  • Revised guidance on entities owned by blocked persons

Major Enforcement Actions

  • Summary of key enforcement developments

United Kingdom and European Union:

Regulations

  • Updates to key EU and UK sanctions regulations regarding Ukraine, Russia, Crimea and Iran
  • Updates on key changes to other sanctions regimes including Libya, Sudan and Syria

Case Law

  • New General Court Rules of Procedure: impact on secret hearings
  • First ever award of damages for unjustified listing (Iran) (Safa Nicu Sepahan v Council)
  • First annulment of Syrian listing (Syria International Islamic Bank v Council)
  • Successful actions for annulments by Iranian banks
  • End of the Yusef-saga: successful action for annulment (Yusef v Council)

EU Member State Enforcement Actions

  • Enforcement of EU sanctions in the UK, Germany, Austria and Spain
  • Asset seizures in the UK, Austria and Italy under the Ukrainian and Russian sanctions
  • Sanctions and Deferred Prosecution Agreements in the UK
  • The UK’s change of policy re money transfers from listed individuals and entities

Looking Forward

  • P5+1
  • Additional sanctions concerning Russia
  • Opportunities and challenges in Cuba

Who should view this program:
In-house counsel, compliance officers, directors, senior executives, finance and audit staff, marketing executives and business development managers responsible for overseas business.

View Slides [PDF]

PANELISTS:

Judith Alison Lee – Judith Alison Lee is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office and Co-Chair of the firm’s International Trade Practice Group. Ms. Lee practices in the areas of international trade regulation, including USA Patriot Act compliance, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, economic sanctions and embargoes, and export controls.

Ronald Kirk – Ron Kirk is Senior Of Counsel in Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher’s Dallas and Washington, D.C. offices. He is Co-Chair of the International Trade practice and is also a member of the Public Policy, Crisis Management, Mergers and Acquisitions and Private Equity practice groups.

José W. Fernandez – José W. Fernandez is a corporate partner in the New York office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and Co-Chair of the Firm’s Latin America Practice Group. His practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions and finance in emerging markets in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Patrick Doris – Patrick Doris is a partner in the Dispute Resolution Group of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher’s London office, where he specializes in commercial litigation, competition law, regulatory disputes and complex investigations.

Mark Handley – Mark Handley is an English-qualified Solicitor-Advocate in the London office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.  He is a member of the firm’s Dispute Resolution, International Arbitration and White Collar Defense and Investigations Groups.

Attila Borsos – Attila Borsos is an Associate Attorney based in the Brussels office of Gibson Dunn. Mr. Borsos specializes in EU Competition Law and International Trade

David Wolber – David A. Wolber is an associate in the Washington, D.C. office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and a member of the Firm’s International Trade and White Collar Defense and Investigations Practice Groups.

Andrea Farr – Andrea Farr practices in Gibson Dunn’s International Trade Regulation and Compliance Practice. Ms. Farr advises clients regarding OFAC sanctions, export controls and CFIUS matters. She assists clients in the development of sanctions and export control compliance programs and in obtaining and complying with licenses. In addition, Ms. Farr represents clients in international trade-related administrative and appellate proceedings.