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Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Associate

Matthew R. Rabinowitz

Partner
Washington, DC

Partner, Washington, DC

T: +1.202.663.8623
T: +1.202.663.8623

Areas of Focus

Highly technical and commercial at the same time, solving regulatory issues with a great understanding of the impact on the transaction." Matthew "explains highly technical issues with clarity which is extremely valuable for foreign investors navigating their way through CFIUS processes.
—2023 Legal 500

Matthew Rabinowitz advises companies on compliance with export control and sanctions regulations, anti-corruption laws and supply chain reviews. He further assists companies in navigating the CFIUS review process.

As a partner in Pillsbury’s International Trade Group, Matthew works with companies to obtain classifications and licenses for EAR and ITAR controlled items, advises on OFAC sanctions policies, and helps companies build comprehensive FCPA policies and procedures. He has a deep understanding of the legal landscape, guiding business on compliance matters across a variety of industry segments, including semiconductors, technology and aviation.

Matthew also assists U.S. sellers and foreign buyers in obtaining clearances from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), with a particular focus on China-related transactions.  He is a trusted advisor to foreign investors and U.S. businesses of all sizes, offering practical solutions to help parties navigate the complexities of the CFIUS review process.

Representative Experience

Regulation of Foreign Investment and National Security

  • Successfully represented Chinese government-owned client in CFIUS review of acquisition of a global semiconductor equipment provider.
  • Successfully obtained CFIUS clearance representing seller of power management integrated circuits for consumer electronics in connection with acquisition by Chinese-owned joint venture.
  • Provided U.S.-based semiconductor company with CFIUS risk assessment of potential foreign investors, and ultimately obtained CFIUS clearance in connection with $1.3 billion acquisition.
  • Successfully obtained CFIUS clearance for Chinese-based consortium in connection with acquisition of a semiconductor company.

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  • Economic Sanctions and Embargoes
    • Advised foreign manufacturers on the complexities of doing business in Iran, including an analysis of secondary sanctions and state sanctions.
    • Drafted sanctions compliance manual and advised aircraft leasing and financing company on compliance with relevant sanctions laws, including sectoral sanctions applicable to long term financing transactions.
    • Counseled global electronics company on sales of telecommunications devices to Cuba.
  • Export & Technology Transfer Controls
    • Drafted export compliance policy to assist U.S. and Canadian aerospace company with trade and security compliance.
    • Conducted a comprehensive review of life science company's export control compliance matters, including drafting policies and procedures, enhancing the company's export classification database, and submitting a voluntary self-disclosure.
    • Advised major social networking technology company on export control laws in connection with global satellite and UAV communications project.
    • Advising aviation company on export control classification and technology transfer issues in connection with the company's development activities.
  • Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)
    • Assisted a global manufacturer conduct a comprehensive FCPA review of its policies, practices and procedures.
    • Reviewed and analyzed FCPA issues in connection with potential acquisition of U.S.-based medical optics company by a publicly traded Japanese corporation.

Professional Highlights

  • Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Administrative/Regulatory Law (2023 – 2024)
  • 2021 Law360 International Trade Editorial Advisory Board Member
  • Recognized by Chambers USA in International Trade: CFIUS Experts (Nationwide) (2022 – 2023)
  • Recognized by The Legal 500 U.S. as a Rising Star in International Trade (2019 – 2023)

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  • Speaking Engagements
    • “2022 Bank Counsel Seminar,” Western Bankers, November 14 – 15, 2022, Las Vegas, Nevada.
    • "Screening for Supply Chain Risk,” Pillsbury CLE Marathon, September 22,2022. Tysons Corner, VA.
    • Supply Chain Risks and the New Challenges of Doing Business Globally,” Pillsbury CLE Virtual Marathon, January 13, 2022.
    • “Select Bay Area: Investor Immersion Program,” GlobalSF Seminar, January 2020. San Francisco, CA.
    • “CFIUS for Start-Ups: Understanding Foreign Investment Restrictions,” Pillsbury CLE Marathon, January 2020. San Francisco & San Diego, CA.
    • “Aviation Legal Panel: The Impact of a Changing Regulatory Landscape,” ACC Airline Conference 2019, November 2019. London, UK.
  • Firm Publications

    • Overview of the Proposed “Reverse CFIUS” Process via the National Critical Capabilities Defense Act of 2022, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Nancy A. Fischer, Matthew R. Rabinowitz and Samantha Franks, 6/21/2022

    • Further Sanctions Issued Against Russia: Services, Export Controls and Visa Restrictions, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Stephan E. Becker, Aaron R. Hutman, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Roya Motazedi and Samantha Franks, 5/17/2022

    • BIS Hits Russia and Belarus with Sweeping New Export Control Restrictions, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Stephan E. Becker, Nancy A. Fischer, Aaron R. Hutman, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Roya Motazedi, Zachary C. Rozen and Samantha Franks, 3/3/2022

    • Further EU and UK Measures Taken Against Russia, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Steven P. Farmer, Matthew R. Rabinowitz and Mark Booth, 2/28/2022

    • Expanded U.S. Sanctions Targeting Russia’s Financial Sector, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Aaron R. Hutman, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Roya Motazedi, Zachary C. Rozen and Samantha Franks, 2/24/2022

    • Russia Invades and the West Reacts: U.S. Government Intensifies Sanctions and Export Controls Against Russia, Authors: Stephan E. Becker, Nancy A. Fischer, Aaron R. Hutman, Benjamin J. Cote, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Roya Motazedi, Zachary C. Rozen, Toochi L. Ngwangwa and Samantha Franks, 2/24/2022

    • Further Sanctions Issued by the U.S. Government and Global Allies, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Aaron R. Hutman, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Zachary C. Rozen and Samantha Franks, 2/23/2022

    • Initial Global Sanctions on Russia in Response to Events in Eastern Ukraine, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Nancy A. Fischer, Aaron R. Hutman, Steven P. Farmer, Benjamin J. Cote, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Toochi L. Ngwangwa, Scott Morton and Samantha Franks, 2/22/2022

    • Commerce Imposes New Export Controls on Cybersecurity Items and Adds a Corresponding License Exception, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Stephan E. Becker, Nancy A. Fischer, Aaron R. Hutman, Benjamin J. Cote, Matthew R. Rabinowitz and Zachary C. Rozen, 10/21/2021

    • Biden Administration Updates Framework for China-Related Investment Prohibitions and Expands the Scope of Restricted Chinese Companies, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Aaron R. Hutman, Matthew R. Rabinowitz and Toochi L. Ngwangwa, 7/7/2021

    • U.S. Announces Broad Array of New Russia Sanctions, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Christopher R. Wall, Aaron R. Hutman, Benjamin J. Cote, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Zachary C. Rozen and Toochi L. Ngwangwa, 4/21/2021

    • Commerce Department’s New ICTS Rule Raises Additional Considerations for Cross-Border Transactions, Authors: Stephan E. Becker, Nancy A. Fischer, Aaron R. Hutman, Glenn S. Richards, Lee G. Petro, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Zachary C. Rozen and Toochi L. Ngwangwa, 1/20/2021

    • U.S. Commerce Department Publishes Lists of Military End Users in China and Russia Subject to Export License Requirements, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Stephan E. Becker, Nancy A. Fischer, Aaron R. Hutman, Matthew R. Rabinowitz and Oscar Theblin, 12/23/2020

    • China Tensions Persevere: Trump Issues Executive Order Prohibiting U.S. Investments in Chinese Companies, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Nancy A. Fischer, Aaron R. Hutman, Matthew R. Rabinowitz and Roya Motazedi, 11/15/2020

    • U.S. Steps Up Pressure on Iran with Sanctions on Additional Financial Institutions and Continuation of Arms Embargo, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Nancy A. Fischer, Stephan E. Becker, Aaron R. Hutman, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Sahar J. Hafeez, Roya Motazedi, Toochi L. Ngwangwa, 10/12/2020
    • U.S. Commerce Department Announces Prohibited Transactions Related to WeChat and TikTok but Implementation Is Delayed, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Christopher R. Wall, Stephan E. Becker, Aaron R. Hutman, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Toochi L. Ngwangwa, 9/20/2020
    • CFIUS Issues Final Rule Basing Mandatory Declaration Requirement on U.S. Export Control Criteria, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Christopher R. Wall, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Zachary C. Rozen, 9/16/2020
    • U.S. Commerce Department Imposes New Restrictions on Huawei, Authors: Stephan E. Becker, Christopher R. Wall, Aaron R. Hutman, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, 8/18/2020
    • House and Senate pass NDAA bills that include expanded U.S. sanctions on Nord Stream 2 pipeline construction and State Department expands CAATSA Section 232 guidance on export energy pipelines, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Nancy A. Fischer, Stephan E. Becker, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Roya Motazedi, Stephanie T. Rosenberg, 8/12/2020
    • Executive Orders Target TikTok and WeChat Application Makers, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Christopher R. Wall, Aaron R. Hutman, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Zachary C. Rozen, 8/10/2020
    • U.S. Government Efforts to Eliminate Supply Chain Threats from China to Telecommunications Networks, Authors: Stephan E. Becker, Nancy A. Fischer, Marques O. Peterson, Lee G. Petro, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Zachary C. Rozen, 6/5/2020
    • S. Government Efforts to Eliminate Supply Chain Threats from China to Telecommunications Networks, Authors: Stephen E. Becker, Nancy A. Fischer, Marques O. Peterson, Lee G. Petro, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Zachary C. Rozen, 6/5/2020
    • BIS Adds 33 Chinese Entities to Entity List, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Stephen E. Becker, Aaron R. Hutman, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Roya Motazedi, 5/23/2020
    • CFIUS Proposes Mandatory Declaration Requirement Based on U.S. Export Control Criteria, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Nancy A. Fischer, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Roya Motazedi, Zachary C. Rozen, 5/22/2020
    • BIS Amends Direct Product Rule To Target Huawei But Extends Huawei Temporary General License, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Nancy A. Fischer, Stephen E. Becker, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Zachary C. Rozen, 5/15/2020
    • CFIUS and Critical Technologies: Implications for the Biotechnology and Life Sciences Sector, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Zachary C. Rozen, Steven Meltzer, Joel Simon, 5/5/2020
    • New Filing Fees For CFIUS Notices Enter Into Effect, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Christopher R. Wall, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Zachary C. Rozen, Roya Motazedi, 5/5/2020
    • New Export Control Rules Confront Integration of Civilian and Military Technology Development in China, Russia, and Venezuela, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Stephan E. Becker, Nancy A. Fischer, Aaron R. Hutman, Benjamin J. Cote, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Zachary C. Rozen, Mario A. Torrico, 4/29/2020
    • Examining CFIUS Implications for the Real Estate Market in the Post COVID-19 World, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Zachary C. Rozen, 4/22/2020
    • Executive Order Establishes New Committee to Review Foreign Investment in Communications Companies, Authors: Glenn S. Richards, Lee G. Petro, Jessica T. Nyman, Christopher R. Wall, Nancy A. Fischer, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Zachary C. Rozen, 4/10/2020
    • Temporary FEMA Rule: Export Approvals Required for Certain Personal Protective Equipment, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Stephan E. Becker, Aaron R. Hutman, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Sahar J. Hafeez, Mario A. Torrico, 4/10/2020
    • Mitigating CFIUS Risks for Foreign Lenders and Investors as Defaults and Uncertainty Mount in the COVID-19 World, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Christopher R. Wall, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Joel Simon, Leo Crowley, Andrew Troop, Russell DaSilva, 4/3/2020
    • CFIUS Update: Chinese Company Ordered to Divest Acquisition of U.S. Hotel Software Company, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Nancy A. Fischer, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Roya Motazedi, 3/10/2020
    • CFIUS Unveils Proposed Rule to Impose Filing Fees, Christopher R. Wall, Nancy A. Fischer, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Roya Motazedi, 3/9/2020
    • U.S. Expands Secondary Sanctions to Iran’s Industrial Sectors, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Nancy A. Fischer, Aaron R. Hutman, Moushami P. Joshi, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Zachary C. Rozen, Roya Motazedi, 01/17/2020
    • Compliance in 2020 – Key Takeaways from the ITAR Cloud Rule, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Stephan E. Becker, Nancy A. Fischer, Benjamin J. Cote, Mario A. Torrico, 1/16/2020
    • Key Takeaways from CFIUS Final Rules Implementing FIRRMA, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Nancy A. Fischer, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Roya Motazedi, Zachary C. Rozen, 1/15/2020
    • District Court Overturns OFAC Fine Against Exxon, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Nancy A. Fischer, Stephan E. Becker, Aaron R. Hutman, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Zachary C. Rozen, 1/13/2020
    • Commerce Department Publishes Interim Final Rule Controlling Geospatial Imagery Software for Training IA, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Nancy A. Fischer, Benjamin J. Cote, Matthew R. Rabinowitz and Mario A. Torrico, 1/10/2020
    • Commerce Department Issues New Proposed Rules on Telecommunications Supply Chain, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Stephan E. Becker, Nancy A. Fischer, Glenn S. Richards, Aaron R. Hutman, Benjamin J. Cote, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, 11/27/2019
    • New Proposed CFIUS Regulations Implementing FIRRMA, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Nancy A. Fischer, Aaron R. Hutman, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Jorge Vera, Roya Motazedi, 9/23/2019
    • Update on U.S. Government Review of “Emerging and Foundational” Technologies, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Stephen E. Becker, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Sahar J. Hafeez, 7/29/2019
    • Huawei Remains on the BIS Entity List but Senior Officials Suggest Export Licenses May Be Considered, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Nancy A. Fischer, Aaron R. Hutman, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Stephanie Rosenberg, 7/16/2019
    • U.S. Commerce Department Releases Proposed Rulemaking for Export Controls on Emerging Technologies, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Nancy A. Fischer, Stephan E. Becker, Aaron R. Hutman and Matthew R. Rabinowitz, 11/20/2018
    • U.S. State Department Adds New Hotels to Cuba Restricted List, Authors Nancy A. Fischer, Stephan E. Becker and Matthew R. Rabinowitz, 11/19/2018
    • OFAC Announces Sanctions Against Saudi Arabian Government Officials Pursuant to Global Magnitsky Act, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Nancy A. Fischer, Stephan E. Becker, Aaron R. Hutman and Matthew R. Rabinowitz, 11/15/2018
    • Reinstatement of Iran Sanctions, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Stephan E. Becker, Nancy A. Fischer, Aaron R. Hutman, Matthew R. Rabinowitz, Moushami P. Joshi and Jorge Vera, 11/5/2018
    • CFIUS Announces Pilot Program Requiring Mandatory Declarations for Certain Non-Controlling Investments in Specified Critical Technology Companies, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Nancy A. Fischer, Stephan E. Becker and Matthew R. Rabinowitz, 10/11/2018
    • U.S. Formalizes Snap-Back of Sanctions with New Executive Order, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Stephan E. Becker, Nancy A. Fischer, Aaron R. Hutman and Matthew R. Rabinowitz, 8/8/2018
    • Congress Reaches Agreement on CFIUS Reform Legislation Broadening National Security Reviews and Addressing Emerging Technologies, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Nancy A. Fischer and Matthew R. Rabinowitz, 7/30/2018
    • Differing CFIUS Reform Bills Move Through U.S. House and Senate, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer and Matthew R. Rabinowitz, 6/26/2018
    • New Proposed Trade Legislation Contains Additional Trade and Investment Restrictions Involving China, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Stephan E. Becker, Matthew R. Rabinowitz and Sahar J. Hafeez, 5/18/2018
    • United States Announces Withdrawal from JCPOA, Authors: Christopher R. Wall, Stephan E. Becker, Nancy A. Fischer, Aaron R. Hutman and Matthew R. Rabinowitz, 5/8/2018
    • Trump Administration Considering Use of IEEPA To Restrict U.S. Technology Transfer to China, Authors: Nancy A. Fischer, Christopher R. Wall and Matthew R. Rabinowitz, 4/12/2018
  • External Publications
    • "Navigating the current sanctions landscape in Venezuela," WorldECR, May 1, 2019.
    • "Paying the Price: An Overview of Deceptive Sales Pricing," ABA What's In Store Newsletter, Winter 2015.

Education

  • J.D., American University, Washington College of Law, 2012
    cum laude

    B.S., Georgetown University, School of Business, 2009
    magna cum laude; Member, Georgetown Scholarship Program/Alumni Mentor Program

Admissions

  • District of Columbia

    Maryland

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