Economic Sanctions

Depending on the country involved, US economic sanctions can permit some activity with an embargoed country. For example, foreign subsidiaries of US companies may be able to transact business with a country subject to US embargo restrictions; however, the foreign subsidiary cannot involve US nationals, lawful residents, or its US parent, and the business opportunity cannot be referred to the subsidiary by the parent. A US company may be able to supply goods to a third-country company, even though that company may be using those goods for commercial activities in the embargoed country. 

At the same time, US companies and US persons (even those employed abroad) must be wary of the regulatory pitfalls leading to corporate or personal exposure to enforcement proceedings.

The US government maintains a lengthy list of "Specially Designated Nationals," with whom US persons cannot do business. Many of the individuals and entities on this list are located in countries enjoying good relations with the United States. The US government also has developed expansive, yet informal, interpretations of the embargo prohibitions, many of which are not obvious from the regulatory language.

Steptoe has developed internal compliance advice and mechanisms for clients attempting to navigate the shoals of US economic sanctions. We work closely with in-house counsel and key management personnel to understand the nature of a company's operations, its products and services, and its internal structure, to ensure that corporate compliance is thorough, yet not unnecessarily restrictive. We have extensive experience in tailoring compliance manuals and SOPs to accommodate decentralized organizations.

Steptoe lawyers have a close familiarity with the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which administers US embargo programs. We identify situations when advisory opinions or specific licenses from OFAC are needed, and then seek the authorization necessary to move forward with a proposed transaction.

OFAC actively initiates investigations and brings administrative enforcement actions for transgressions of US economic sanctions. Steptoe has extensive experience in handling investigation and enforcement proceedings, including routine information requests, pre-penalty contacts, negotiated settlements, and administrative proceedings arising from penalty actions.

We also have handled voluntary disclosures to the US government on terms that are favorable to our clients. Where appropriate, Steptoe uses its white-collar enforcement capability to supplement its sanctions experience in dealing with US government prosecutors.

Our experience in the area of economic sanctions includes:

• In-depth knowledge of the regulatory prohibitions applicable to countries sanctioned by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, or the United Nations
• Jurisdictional issues in the administration of US economic sanctions, including extraterritorial aspects of export, reexport, investment, and transactional controls
• Formulation of compliance programs for multinational corporations and organizations with multiple levels of US management
• Structuring transactions to permit commercial activity consistent with regulatory compliance
• Advisory opinions, interpretations, license applications, and knowledge of regulatory exceptions and limitations
• Negotiation, voluntary disclosures, and defense of enforcement proceedings 
• Familiarity with US regulatory institutions and the interagency policy-making and licensing process

Our clients span a wide spectrum of US industries, and include multinational corporations, small to mid-sized businesses, partnerships, trade associations, and individuals. A sampling of the industries we represent is as follows:

• Hydrocarbon exploration and production
• Refining
• Chemicals
• Construction
• Engineering
• Food and beverages
• Mechanical and industrial equipment
• Financial services
• Software
• Telecommunications and data transmission
• Legal
• Data processing
• Airline services
• Electronics