Economic Sanctions

• Advised client on U.S. state-level sanctions and risks in relation to project work in Iran.

• Counseled U.S.-based fuel provider on sanctions matters concerning its global operations, including Russia, Cuba and Venezuela. Matters involved complex ownership examination of Russian airports and activities involving blocked parties.
• Advised UK-listed, Russian-owned company on sanctions risk related to oil offtake from a rig being sold to Russia and the impact on U.S. vendor parties. Advised a coalition of U.S. utilities in connection with potential sanctions impacting Russian fuel supply into the United States and engaged with the State and Treasury departments regarding the same.
• Advised major energy corporation in connection with OFAC’s Venezuela sanctions program, including in-depth engagement with the Treasury and State departments concerning application of various sanctions.
• Advised nuclear power company active in Turkey on U.S. and European sanctions relating to Russia.
• Counseled Chinese nuclear entity on proposed sanctions implications of acquisitions of uranium mine with partial ownership involving Iran.
• Assisted U.S.-based fuel provider with OFAC application to release blocked funds and advised on licensing requirements involving Cuba.
• Advised major energy corporation in connection with OFAC’s Russia sectoral sanctions program.
• Assisted Asian company and its U.S. affiliate in response to U.S. state-level sanctions targeting activity with Iran (several U.S. states have independent sanctions regimes authorized by U.S. federal statutes).
• Advised Asian energy industry company on the impact of sanctions for Iran and Russia for project planning and compliance.
• Reviewed and advised on sanctions contractual requirements in connection with a credit agreement for a U.S. energy company.

• Analyzed Russia-related sanctions implications for the Singapore branch of a large Japanese financial institution in connection with activities in support of gasoline contract.
• Assisted prominent U.S.-based financial institution in designing its risk-based compliance program covering all areas of its operations, including banking transactions, charge card processing and travel services.
• Provided advice to foreign banks regarding improving their AML and sanctions compliance programs.
• Advised largest bank in EU jurisdiction on sanctions and AML compliance, as well as the banking industry association of that country, including responding to complex Russia sanctions issues and interaction with U.S. Treasury and State Department officials.
• Advised European financial institution in sanctions implications in connection with transactions related to Iran.
• Advised private equity fund with European portfolio affiliates proposing work with Iran; provided compliance and strategic advice under U.S. and EU sanctions law.
• Assisted London-based investment fund with substantial Libya Investment Authority assets in obtaining broad OFAC authorization to conduct normal course of business activities with U.S. counterparties.
• Advised investment fund in relation to an investment project in Myanmar/Burma on U.S. sanctions issues and assisted in the preparation of investment documents.
• Advised U.S. investor on involvement in a Mongolian company that planned to organize a JV with North Korea’s state energy enterprise for development of oil/gas resources and a refinery in North Korea. Obtained compliance assurance letter to OFAC from government in Pyongyang. Subsequently advised on changes in North Korea sanctions and efforts to unwind investment.
• Assisted financial institutions, real estate companies and other businesses on the negotiation of contract language addressing compliance with executive orders and sanctions regulations.
• Advised borrowers and lenders in the tailoring of sanctions language to finance arrangements in light of planned business and compliance concerns.
• Advised and assisted major UK financial institution as special counsel in an extensive multiyear internal investigation regarding compliance with Iran sanctions regulations, including funds transfers and trade transactions, ultimately resulting in settlements with federal and state agencies.
• Advised credit card company on sanctions, financial transactions and new investment rules for U.S. persons and their affiliates in Myanmar/Burma.

• Advised major agricultural commodities company on compliance with Cuba and Iran.
• Advised U.S. company organizing trade with Iran under general licenses for agricultural and food items.

• Prepared sanctions policy and conduct training for a start-up technology company.
• Advised global technology company on system-wide approach to services for sanctioned parties; assessing general licenses and Berman Amendment.
• Assisted social media and technology company to engage with OFAC in connection with SDN access and use of free social media accounts.
• Assisted global technology company obtain OFAC-specific licenses to provide services to certain SDNs.
• Advised international media company in connection with potential field work in embargoed destinations, seeking regulatory guidance and obtaining licensing.
• Conducted internal investigation on a printer manufacturer and its subsidiaries concerning Iran and Syria transactions, and prepared disclosures to OFAC and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).
• Advised social media and technology company in connection with software exports to embargoed destinations.

• Counseled Canadian company on sanctions issues in connection with sales to Russia.
• Assisted major international aerospace manufacturers with licenses to ship aircraft and components to sensitive countries and with implementing compliance programs.
• Provided Iran sanctions compliance advice for an Italian company considering equipment sales to European companies with potential for incorporation in systems for Iranian end users.
• Assisted Chinese manufacturer of security products with sanctions-related analysis in connection with imports of North Korean labor.
• Analyzed sanctions implications of a proposed partnership with a Russian entity in connection with an infrastructure bid in Kazakhstan.
• Advised major manufacturing companies with compliance and licensing issues in connection with proposed exports of products to Cuba.
• Advised European manufacturers on the impact of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on U.S. and EU sanctions on Iran.
• Evaluated whether certain activities may be in violation of U.S. secondary sanctions and risks related to SDN designation.
• Reviewed and analyzed sanctions issues in connection with potential acquisition of a U.S.-based medical optics company by a publicly traded Japanese corporation.
• Advised U.S. and foreign companies on the complex interplay between U.S. sanctions and foreign antidote measures that target the extraterritorial application of U.S. laws and regulations, developing compliance strategies, and representing companies in multijurisdictional inquiries and enforcement proceedings.
• Assisted global electronics manufacturer in navigating the complex interplay of the OFAC and Export Administration Regulations (EAR) restrictions on Cuba, Iran and other embargoed countries, obtaining licenses for replacement parts, and advised on disclosure and compliance issues related to the use of EAR license exceptions.
• Assisted U.S.-based global manufacturer on U.S. sanctions concerning transactions by subsidiary entities.
• Advised foreign companies doing business in Cuba on potential risks due to the recently implemented Title III of the Helms-Burton Act.

• Advised satellite companies on potential formation of Iranian joint venture.
• Advised satellite companies on new Venezuelan sanctions and implications in connection with pre-existing service arrangement.

• Advised international media company regarding compliance with OFAC sectoral sanctions in connection with proposed business venture involving a Russian partner.
• Advised multinational telecommunications provider in connection with a DOJ investigation involving sanctioned country and persons.
• Advised international media company on its entry into Myanmar/Burma market, including coordinating advice from local counsel on structuring, providing strategic advice on sanctions, anti-corruption, banking and AML challenges, and supporting acquisition of a local Myanmar company.
• Advised companies on the complexities of payments related to authorized JCPOA transactions.
• Advised electronics company on OFAC compliance regarding sales of telecommunications devices to Cuba.
• Advised major international media companies regarding compliance with OFAC sanctions and exemptions applicable to the distribution of films, news feeds and other media.
• Advised Asian, European and U.S. multinational satellite companies on new SEC reporting requirements relating to Iran and assisted in the preparation of disclosures.
• Advised global satellite service providers on OFAC licensing and compliance.
• Submitted OFAC license application in connection with a proposed journalistic project in Cuba.

• Advised cruise line on U.S. sanctions rules in relation to passengers, employees and operations.
• Obtained licenses related to Crimea sanctions. Advised on Cuba sanctions reform.
• Assisted cruise line with return of blocked funds and other sanctions matters in connection with travel to embargoed destinations.
• Conducted extensive internal investigations of major international travel service providers with respect to compliance with Cuba sanctions regulations and extraterritorial conflicts with blocking measures adopted in the EU and various member states, Canada, Mexico and Argentina, and represented these companies in OFAC enforcement proceedings.
• Obtained licenses to unblock funds, permit shipments and (when required) authorize travel to countries subject to sanctions.
• Advised travel service providers on compliance with the Cuba travel regulations.

• Assisted aerospace company with sanctions-related issues following SDN designation of certain company customers in possession of aircraft.
• Assisted in obtaining licenses for exports/leases of aircraft to Iran and Cuba.
• Drafted compliance manual and advised an aircraft leasing and financing company on compliance with applicable sanctions laws, including sectoral sanctions applicable to long-term financing transactions.
• Obtained licenses to unblock funds, permit shipments and (when required) authorize travel to countries subject to sanctions.
• Assisted aerospace, airline and travel companies with understanding the JCPOA changes and navigating the OFAC licensing process for transactions with Iran.
• Advised European air carriers with compliance and licensing issues in connection with proposed travel services to Iran and Cuba.
• Advised travel service providers on compliance with the Cuba travel regulations.

Recognized by The Legal 500 U.S. for the breadth of our International Trade capabilities across four categories: CFIUS (2023–2025); Customs, Export Controls and Economic Sanctions (2023–2025); National Security (2025); and Trade Remedies and Trade Policy (2023–2025). Client testimonial hails the Pillsbury International Trade team as “…a well-unified, collaborative team that leverages each other’s knowledge based to demonstrate ‘big picture’ understanding as well as specialized advice within categories of issues.”

Recognized by The Legal 500 UK for excellence in EU and Competition: Trade, WTO Anti-Dumping, Customs and Sanctions (2024–2026).