CFIUS and FINSA: Hot Topics in 2015

About Covington & Burling LLP

Covington is a full-service firm with approximately 850 lawyers in offices in Beijing, Brussels, London, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, and Washington.  We practice as one firm, holding closely to core values that start with a deep commitment to our clients and the quality of our work on their behalf, and that include an emphasis on teamwork among our lawyers and other professionals and a belief in the obligation of lawyers to make legal services available to all who need them.

Covington has a preeminent practice advising US and foreign companies on all aspects of the U.S. national security review process of foreign investments as administered by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”).  Chambers USA has recognized Covington’s CFIUS practice as “field leading,” and has noted our “lawyers combine technical skills with political judgments that are unparalleled.”  We were the only firm with two partners to receive the top ranking from Chambers USA for CFIUS expertise in 2013 and 2014.   We have handled transactions and provided related advice to clients in virtually every sector subject to CFIUS review, including aerospace, defense, software, information and advanced technologies, telecommunications, energy (infrastructure and oil/gas), finance, ports, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals/bio-technology.  Our representations have included, at various points, the largest Chinese, Saudi Arabian, and Russian acquisitions ever made in the United States, and we represent a number of leading European, Middle Eastern, and Asian companies who regularly seek CFIUS approval.  We also have represented a number of foreign government-owned entities in matters before CFIUS.  Our attorneys also frequently counsel clients on matters related to the mitigation of foreign ownership, control or influence (“FOCI”) under applicable U.S. national industrial security regulations.  We have drafted, negotiated, and assisted clients in implementing various corporate arrangements to mitigate FOCI for cleared companies.

Website: https://www.cov.com/

About Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis LLP

Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis LLP (“HWG”) is one of the leading technology and telecommunications law firms in the United States.  HWG’s international trade and investment and national security practices provide comprehensive representation for technology, telecommunications, and aerospace and defense businesses and investors engaged in cross-border transactions involving infrastructure, investment, goods, services, and technology.  We regularly represent clients to:

• Obtain clearances from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”), the Team Telecom agencies, and the Defense Security Service;
• Comply with U.S. surveillance laws and in implementing cybersecurity plans;
• Comply with export controls, economic sanctions, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and in establishing internal compliance programs;
• Seek market access and protect infrastructure investments under various trade agreements and treaties; and
• Conduct internal investigations to verify compliance with U.S. trade controls and defend clients in government enforcement actions. 

HWG’s practices and lawyers have been recognized in many rankings.  In 2014, HWG was named the #1 Washington, D.C. workplace by the Washington Post.

Website: https://www.hwglaw.com/