Media Coverage 04.01.26
What Happens if the U.S. Leaves Iran Without Reopening the Strait of Hormuz?
Source: The Independent
Matt Oresman is result-oriented. Whilst he is a strategist, he knows every single detail of the case. He is very efficient therefore and fast moving.
Matthew Oresman helps clients navigate complex international challenges, succeeding at the intersection of cross-border business, law, policy and politics.
Matthew is managing partner of the London office, from where he leads the firm’s International Government Law & Strategies practice, carrying out high-profile activities in many of the world’s capital cities, and leads the firm’s Iran Task Force. He principally advises business executives, governments, political leaders and NGOs on achieving their most important objectives. He regularly designs and implements legal and policy solutions, including managing integrated U.S., Europe and Middle East-based initiatives. He advises global businesses on entry into emerging markets and compliance with U.S. and international regulations.
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Drawing on his cross-border experience handling complex legal matters, Matthew regularly leads large corporate transaction teams at Pillsbury, serving as outside general counsel for publicly listed and private clients. As part of this work, he uses his deep experience in international business to help companies achieve global investment objectives and overcome barriers to market access.
Matthew also counsels clients on international disputes, sanctions and litigation matters, especially in connection with international criminal and asset recovery cases, as well as investor disputes and investigations by Congress and U.S. government agencies.
Previous chair of the London Pro Bono Committee, Matthew’s pro bono work has focused on the development of rule of law and democratic institutions, sustainable development and smart policy solutions for stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Representative Experience
- Advised Gorilla Technologies on global corporate, regulatory and policy matters, including its relocation to London, complex commercial negotiations in the Middle East and navigating emerging AI regulatory issues.
- Advised the court-appointed liquidator of an international bank on AML and sanctions compliance in a billion-dollar liquidation, including engagement with FinCEN, OFAC, foreign regulators and global correspondent banks.
- Advised leading global crypto bank on international disputes and regulatory issues.
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- Led an international law and policy campaign regarding ownership and development of Moldova’s Giurgiulești International Free Port, including transatlantic lobbying, internal investigation and negotiations that secured a favorable outcome.
- Successfully advocated before Congress and the U.S. Department of State for the release of a U.S. citizen detained abroad, coordinating diplomatic and legal efforts to address due process concerns and secure his return.
- Served as lead outside counsel for publicly listed companies and serial SPAC issuers, advising on multiple transactions.
- Has advised over a dozen sovereign governments and political leaders on their relations with the United States and their global strategy.
- Assisted technology client with market entry into Egypt, including completing negotiating with Egyptian government.
- Played a critical role in obtaining congressional approval for new trade agreements, foreign assistance packages, civil-nuclear cooperation agreements and foreign defense assistance programs.
- Led multiple politically sensitive asset recovery, sanctions enforcement and white collar defense initiatives.
- Advised multiple non-U.S. banks, businesses and free trade zones on improving their international sanctions and anti-money laundering compliance, including addressing changes in Russia and Iran sanctions.
- Managed the successful negotiation of an investment agreement between a Middle Eastern sovereign wealth fund into an Eastern European country, as well as the resolution of nearly 20 civil and criminal complaints by the fund against its former managers.
- Advised clients in U.S. government and congressional investigations into possible sanctions violations.
- Provided advice on U.S. and non-U.S. defense contractors and equipment manufacturers regarding compliance with U.S. export control laws.
- Counsel the largest Cypriot bank on an ongoing basis regarding UK, U.S. and EU sanctions, AML compliance matters and the interplay with rules in other jurisdictions. Our advice supports the bank’s critical role at the frontline of sanctions compliance involving Russia, Ukraine, the Middle East and beyond.
- Supported client’s fight against wrongful and politically motivated charges brought by a Central European government. These high-profile and public efforts helped lead to the dismissal of charges against the client.
Professional Highlights
- Founding Member, Transatlantic Marshall Council of the German Marshall Fund
- Board Member, Bhutan Foundation
- Founder, China and Eurasia Forum
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- Honors & Awards
- The Legal 500 UK, recognized for Emerging Markets (2019–2025); Trade, WTO, Anti-Dumping and Customs (2025); and as a Leading Partner (2025) and Next Generation Partner (2021–2024)
- United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Fellow, 2013
- German Marshall Fund Manfred Worner Fellowship, 2011
- Speaking Engagements
- “2024 Global Election Super Cycle: Understanding the Results and Predicting the Future,” live event London (December 3, 2024). Panelist.
- “Episode #5: International Public Policy and the EU Perspective,” The Pillsbury Industry Insights Podcast (May 14, 2020)
- Media Coverage
- “What happens if the U.S. leaves Iran without reopening the Strait of Hormuz,” The Independent, April 1, 2026. Quoted.
- “What Does The US-Israel War Against Iran Mean For Tehran's Ally Vladimir Putin?,” Huffington Post, March 4, 2026. Quoted.
- Interview on Bloomberg Radio to discuss U.S.-China tariff interaction, August 12, 2025
- “Flights, Tariffs and The O2,” The Ian King Business Podcast (Sky News), July 31, 2025. Interview.
- Interview on Sky News to discuss impending tariff enforcement, July 31, 2025
- Interview on Sky News to discuss the U.S.-UK trade deal and tariff implications for car and aerospace exports, July 07, 2025
- Interview on Sky News to discuss UK-U.S. trade deal implementation, June 30, 2025
- “Is Trump’s trade deal for the UK good or bad? What we know,” Yahoo News, May 9, 2025. Quoted.
- “US-UK Trade Deal Expected Today as Trump Teases ‘Major’ Agreement,” Bloomberg Podcasts, May 8, 2025. Interview.
- Interview on Sky News to discuss the UK-U.S. trade deal, May 9, 2025
- “Starmer Gets Needed Diplomatic Win, If Not an Economic Boost,” Bloomberg, May 8, 2025. Quoted.
- “Is the UK-US trade deal a win for Starmer?,” City A.M., May 8, 2025. Quoted.
- “Trump’s steel tariffs put £2.7bn of UK exports at risk as British manufacturers brace for impact,” Business Matters, March 12, 2025. Quoted.
- “Donald Trump’s steel tariffs hit UK exports with $3.4bn at risk,” The Times, March 12, 2025. Quoted.
- “Trump, trade and tactics: Necessary business strategies for the new era,” Management Today, February 19, 2025. Quoted.
- Publications
- “Send in the king! How Britain can dodge a Donald Trump trade war,” POLITICO, November 13, 2024
- “Sir Keir Starmer has met China's President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit,” Sky News, November 18, 2024
- Interview on Sky News to discuss the sanctioning of Russia following the Ukraine conflict, February 14, 2022
- “Bypassing the buck,” Chatham House, August 8, 2020
- “The UK’s Magnitsky Act is an important first step, but it is not the end of the road,” Financial News, August 3, 2020
- “Get Ready: Compliance Revolution Coming in Shipping Industry,” Cyprus Mail, June 3, 2020
- China Steps Out: Beijing’s Major Power Engagement with the Developing World, Routledge, January 2018. Joint author for Chapter 4, entitled “China’s Strategy in Central Asia and the Caucasus.”
- Presentation on Chinese foreign policy to various U.S. and foreign governments and research institutions, December 1, 2006
- “Beyond the Battle of Talas: China’s Re-emergence in Central Asia,” In the Tracks of Tamerlane: Central Asia’s Path to the 21st Century, National Defense University Press, December 1, 2004
- China’s New Journey to the West: Report on China’s Emergence in Central Asia and Implications for U.S. Interests, CSIS Press, December 1, 2003
- “NATO and China: A Romance Worth Entering,” International Herald Tribune, November 22, 2003. Coauthor.
Education
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J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 2007
B.A., International Relations, University of Pennsylvania, 2002
Admissions
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California
District of Columbia
England and Wales (Registered Foreign Lawyer)