Michael Lieberman

Associate

• mlieberman@steptoe.com
• vCard
• Washington Office

Michael Lieberman is an associate in the Washington office of Steptoe & Johnson LLP, where he is a member of the International Department. His practice focuses on anti-corruption, export controls, economic sanctions, customs and international trade. 

Mr. Lieberman has worked on several complex Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, sanctions and export control internal investigations, where he has managed document reviews, participated in witness interviews, drafted voluntary disclosures and assisted in developing compliance programs. Mr. Lieberman has also drafted license requests for encryption, nuclear and other dual-use technologies, as well as policy papers for clients on non-proliferation and satellite technology issues. 

Mr. Lieberman’s international trade work has involved assisting with disputes before the World Trade Organization, North American Free Trade Agreement dispute settlement panels and the European Union trade authorities. Mr. Lieberman has also helped clients with disclosures and classifications to US customs authorities and with navigating import and export obligations.

Publications include articles in International Government Contractor, Israel Law Review, Military Law Review, International Affairs Review, and the edited volume Terrorism and International Law published by the Hague Academy of International Law. He also co-authored the Export Controls and Economic Sanctions section of the International Lawyer Year-In-Review (2008). 

Mr. Lieberman has also presented on the US-India 123 nuclear agreement at the University of Reading in the UK and on international humanitarian law at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel. Mr. Lieberman is an active contributor to the firm’s pro bono effort, having worked on various issues related to demobilization, disarmament and reintegration (DDR) in Burma, humanitarian assistance in Sudan and asylum cases in the United States.

Mr. Lieberman also serves as an occasional rule of law consultant to The Asia Foundation.

Prior to joining Steptoe, Mr. Lieberman worked as a clerk at the US Attorney’s Office, Criminal Division in the Northern District of California, an intern in the National Security Division of the Office of Management and Budget, as a summer associate at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, and as an intern for Congressman Tom Lantos. In addition, Mr. Lieberman served as Press Secretary for former Texas State Representative Juan J. Hinojosa. Mr. Lieberman also taught a course in international law at Tufts University and participated in the Jessup International Law Moot Court (where he won second place oralist) and the World Trade Organization Moot Court competitions.

Select News & Events

• "Transnational Networks and Nonproliferation: Strengthening the Multilateral Nuclear Export Control Regime," PONI 2011 Capstone Conference, December 6, 2011
• Transnational Networks and Nonproliferation: Strengthening the Multilateral Nuclear Export Control Regime, Center for Strategic and International Studies 2011 Summer Conference, Washington DC, July 8, 2011
• Michael Lieberman Presents on Export Controls at Indian Society of International Law in New Delhi, April 2, 2011
• Conference on India-United States Nuclear Agreement, September 17, 2010

Selected Publications

• New US Sanctions on the Government of Iran and Iranian Financial Institutions
  February 7, 2012
• EU Enhances Sanctions, Targeting Iranian Petroleum, Petrochemical, and Financial Sectors
  January 27, 2012
• State Department Sanctions Three Entities under Iran Sanctions Act, Including First Chinese Company
  January 17, 2012
• OFAC Issues Transnational Criminal Organization Sanctions Regulations
  January 13, 2012
• New Iran Sanctions Threaten Foreign Banks’ Access to the United States, Impose Strict Measures on Financial System of Iran
  January 4, 2012
• OFAC Authorizes All Petroleum-Related Transactions With South Sudan, Loosens Restrictions On Sudan
  December 15, 2011
• Select Issues in the US-Canada Defense Trade
  December 2011, Briefing Papers
• The Ruggie Principles on Business and Human Rights: How Companies Can Prepare
  December 2011, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Journal, Volume 48 (2)

More Publications »