Akin houses an active CFIUS practice, which is underpinned by the wider firm’s strengths in the government relations, energy, defense and infrastructure areas. The Washington-DC based group is led by Christian Davis, whose broad international trade focus spans CFIUS, customs laws, and export controls and economic sanctions. Sources also highlight senior counsel Laura Black for her background at the USDT, where she served as Director of Policy and International Relations for CFIUS. Counsel Katherine Padgett also brings to bear significant government-side experience gained during a former stint as an attorney for CFIUS at the State Department.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The team at Akin is very competent and has excellent expertise in both CFIUS and export controls, which is unusual in one firm. Laura Black, with her background at Treasury, has extensive knowledge of CFIUS and over time in private practice should be one of the key practitioners in the CFIUS area.’
‘Laura Black has excellent CFIUS expertise (particularly on the CFIUS regulations) and an ability to frame issues clearly.’

Key clients

U.S. Remote Sensing Satellite Company
Private Equity Firm/Renewable Energy Company
Japanese Transportation Company
Canadian Private Equity Fund
Global Autonomous Vehicle Technology Company
U.S. Aerospace Firm
U.S. Investment Company
Asian Sovereign Wealth Fund
Japanese Investment Fund
U.S. Remote Sensing Satellite Company

Work highlights

Advised a private equity firm, and its portfolio company, regarding the sale of a controlling minority stake in its $1.2bn solar and battery storage project.
Advised a Japan-based client on an investment involving a blue ammonia production facility.
Advised a US autonomous vehicle technology company on the CFIUS implications of an overseas joint-venture transaction with a Middle Eastern government-backed entity.