Shannon P. MacMichael

Associate

• smacmichael@steptoe.com
• vCard
• Washington Office

Shannon MacMichael is an associate in the Washington office of Steptoe & Johnson LLP, where she is a member of the firm's International Department. She focuses primarily on international regulation and compliance, including US economic sanctions, export compliance, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act advice.

Export Controls and Economic Sanctions
Ms. MacMichael provides compliance advice to clients regarding US economic sanctions and US controls on exports of dual-use, nuclear and defense items. She assists clients in drafting compliance policies and guidelines, provides training which is consistent with these policies, and works with clients to properly classify products and technology under the EAR, ITAR, and NRC regulations. She handles the internal review and resolution of export control and sanctions matters and assists clients with a range of export licensing issues and enforcement actions, including deemed export compliance, regulatory requirements for offshore affiliates of US companies, and joint venture or supply arrangements with non-US entities that have independent business relationships with restricted countries. 

Anti-Corruption Compliance
Ms. MacMichael also advises clients on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and local laws dealing with anti-corruption, the payment of commissions abroad, and offset requirements. She assists corporations in developing and implementing compliance programs, assessing risks and developing mitigation strategies, and training company personnel. She also manages due diligence for mergers and acquisitions as well as relationships with agents, consultants, and other third party partners.

Ms. MacMichael is part of a team of Steptoe attorneys who manage the operation of the International Law Guides, which provides a detailed summary of anti-corruption laws and regulations in 50 countries, as well as rules applicable to gifts, travel, hospitality, and facilitating payments, on a country-by country basis.

White Collar Criminal Defense
In addition to providing compliance advice, Ms. MacMichael works closely with the firm's White-Collar Criminal Defense practice to represent clients in enforcement actions involving alleged violations of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and economic sanctions regulations imposed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. These representations involve a wide variety of issues, including classification of products and technology under the ITAR and EAR, provision of defense services, broker liability, foreign sovereign immunity, economic sanctions violations, facilitation of prohibited transactions, and Entity List violations.

Prior to joining the firm, Ms. MacMichael, who speaks Russian, assisted in the negotiation of several natural resource exploration and development projects in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Select News & Events

• Compliance Week Quotes Steptoe’s Lucinda Low in Article on SciClone Pharmaceuticals’ FCPA Settlement
• Understanding Enforcement Risks and Defenses in Criminal & Civil Export Controls and Economic Sanctions Cases, December 8, 2011, (A Steptoe-Sponsored Event)
• A Historic Decision for International Trade: U.S. Supreme Court’s First-Ever Ruling on the Antidumping Law

Selected Publications

• What Sets SciClone's FCPA Derivative Suit Apart
  November 28, 2011, Law360
• SciClone Shareholders Require Stringent Anti-Corruption Compliance Measures in Proposed Settlement of Derivative Suit
  November 7, 2011
• FCPA Year in Review 2010
  March 15, 2011
• Changes to EAR Will Ease Dual Use, Space, and Medical Exports to India
  February 1, 2011
• International Law Advisory - BIS Amends EAR Requirements re Albania and Croatia, Reflecting NATO Enlargement and Increasing the Availability of License-Free Trade Opportunities
  December 23, 2009
• International Law Advisory - BIS Amends List of Approved Validated End-Users for China and India
  December 23, 2009