Operating out of Washington D.C, Kirkland & Ellis LLP‘s CFIUS team leverages former government experience, policy acumen, legal knowledge and corporate know-how to manage and mitigate the risks of cross-border investments. The team has extensive experience cooperating with CFIUS across the transaction lifecycle, ensuring they are well-positioned to counsel a range of companies and investors. The practice offers services including strategic advice, political risk assessment, preparation of filings, and negotiation of mitigation instruments to both buy and sell-side clients. The team is typically divided into two sub-sections: one led by Ivan Schlager, and the other jointly directed by Mario Mancuso and Lucille Hague. Schlager is widely recognized as a leading CFIUS expert in D.C. and has significant experience conducting national security reviews and negotiating mitigation agreements for clients across a spectrum of industries including defence, telecoms, media and technology. Mancuso, a former member of the President’s national security team and Hague have recently led the CFIUS process for high-value transactions involving clients Brookfield Infrastructure, Venafi and Oaktree Capital Group.

Latham & Watkins LLP‘s CFIUS practice, based in Washington DC, handles a significant portion of CFIUS filings annually. The firm counsels clients on CFIUS mitigation and clearance across a spectrum of industry sectors, including energy, finance, and transportation. The stand-alone national security team is supplemented by the firm’s range of market-leading expertise in legal sectors across the financial transaction remit, giving them a breadth of capacity to handle complex mandates. Les Carnegie, a renowned expert in the field, heads the CFIUS and US national security teams and has a proven track record of obtaining CFIUS clearance on behalf of major clients in high-profile transactions. Carnegie co-leads alongside Damara Chambers and James Barker. Chambers, with nearly two decades of experience, has been involved with some significant cases and has a deep understanding of the priorities of government agencies in regards to CFIUS matters, positioning her well to provide advice to clients. Barker provides specialises expertise in the field of technological and telecommunication transactions, with notable activity in CFIUS matters across industries such as 3D-printing, satellite imaging systems and streaming video applications. Catherine Hein, Zachary Eddington and Ruchi Gill are key Counsel-level lawyers who support the team leaders across a breadth of matters. Hein and Gill bring a wealth of experience operating within US governmental departments, whilst Eddington regularly guides clients on negotiation and implementation of CFIUS mitigation agreements.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP‘s strength lies in their ability to advise clients operating within CFIUS-sensitive industries such as software and technology, telecommunications, and aerospace and defense. The team is renowned for advising leaders of the private equity industry, representing high-profile asset managers, such as Blackstone, Inc. and Goldman Sachs Group, Inc in complex cross-border acquisitions and investments. The practice offerings include informed assessments of CFIUS risk, risk mitigation solutions, and negotiating conditions for CFIUS approval.  Malcolm (Mick) Tuesley heads the firm’s National Security Regulatory Practice and has recently advised Microsoft Corporation with respect to regulatory approvals for a multi-billion dollar acquisition. Mark Skerry has a breadth of expertise within the sector, having advised clients on CFIUS approvals across a variety of industries, negotiated complex mitigation measures, and secured unilateral CFIUS approval for unsolicited takeover efforts.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP‘s attorneys have a proven track record representing clients in large-scale and complex transactions before CFIUS. The team has experience handling CFIUS matters within a spectrum of industry sectors, including technology, energy and defense, with a client roster boasting public and private companies, equity funds and venture capital firms. The firm’s transactional expertise allows them to identify CFIUS issues at early stages of a transaction, whilst their integrated national security team is capable of assisting across all stages of CFIUS reviews, from submission of declarations to negotiation of agreements. Michael Leiter leads the team and brings a wealth of experience and a specialism in handling aerospace and defense-related transactions from a national security perspective. Formely a legal official within the Obama administration, Brian Egan brings extensive insight into CFIUS processes. Brooks Allen, who also draws upon both private practice and governmental experience, is a key member of the team.

White & Case LLP‘s national security team leverages knowledge from both transactional experts and experienced former US government officials to provide comprehensive CFIUS services. The team are capable of representing clients in all stages of the CFIUS process: risk analysis, filling issues, structuring and negotiating deals, executing CFIUS strategy, and advising on mitigation requirements and implementation. The vastly experienced Farhad Jalinous is well renowned in the market for his expertise in CFIUS matters. Jalinous acts as global head of the firm’s National Security/CFIUS practice out of Washington DC, and has recently advised Flexjet, a leading private aviation company, on a multi-billion dollar business combination agreement. David Jividen is a key member of the team due to his background within governmental national security and CFIUS bodies, which gives him valuable insider knowledge. Jividen’s knowledge is supported by Ryan Brady, who also acted as a senior government official before joining the firm. Laura Black joined the practice in 2025.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton‘s CFIUS team, which sits within its Foreign Investment and National Security practice, continues to grow its capabilities in advising on sensitive cross-border transactions. The group, based out of Washington D.C, is capable of handling national security reviews on foreign investments, negotiating and implementing mitigation agreements, and coordinating national security reviews across a range of international jurisdictions. The up-and-coming Chase Kaniecki is the driving force behind the team’s activity and has notably advised electronic design company Synposys on a significant semiconductor-related transaction worth $35 billion. B.J. Altvatar is a very active associate, having joined from Covington & Burling in 2023. Altvatar has background experience within U.S. intelligence agencies and is capable of representing clients in reviews, as well as negotiating complex national security agreements. Samuel Chang was promoted to partner at the start of 2025, and his practice spans various industries and all stages of the corporate life cycle.

Cooley LLP, known for its strength in assisting emerging tech and life sciences companies, has been building its CFIUS practice to have the capacity to negotiate National Security Agreements, in line with a marked increase in CFIUS enforcement action. The CFIUS team, in line with the firm’s wider practice areas, regularly supports emerging technology companies in their CFIUS matters and has notable specialisms in complex sectors such as space technology, artificial intelligence, and cyber security. Washington D.C.-based Christopher Kimball established and co-leads the team. Kimball has focussed on developing the team's national security mitigation practice. Kevin King co-leads alongside Kimball, and his client base consists of tech start-ups, established public and private companies, and venture capital firms.  Other key lawyers include Dillon Martinson, who has been integral to the firm's ability to prepare submissions, conduct interactions with CFIUS and obtain regulatory approval.

M&A specialists Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP's CFIUS practice is very active with complex transactions, due to the firm's expertise in cross-border dealings. The firm has advised on issues across the transaction life cycle in a comprehensive range of sectors, including ones that are CFIUS-sensitive, such as electronics, defense, and telecoms. Practice head Paul Marquardt, based in Washington D.C., leverages his experience in leading CFIUS teams, and connections within U.S. regulatory bodies to provide expert advice on a broad range of cross-border transactional matters. Marquardt has notably worked closely with the firm's Tokyo office to advise a government-backed Japanese investment fund on its multi-billion dollar acquisition of a semiconductor manufacturer. The vastly experienced John Reynolds remains a key team member from Senior Counsel level. Associate Kendall Howell supports the team and advises both U.S and international clients through complex transactions and reviews.

Hogan Lovells US LLP’s standalone CFIUS practice is capable of handling complex cases that require filings, approval, and mitigation. The firm consistently advises US investors on foreign ownership issues, with start-up and early-stage technology companies being common clients.  The team is regularly involved in CFIUS-sensitive industries, such as certain tech sectors, as well as aerospace and defense. The practice is operated out of Hogan Lovells’ Washington D.C. office, with former member of the Office of the Assistant General Counsel for International Affairs, Anne Salladin being a notable CFIUS expert. Salladin has advised foreign and domestic clients across various sensitive industries and jurisdictions, including some major Chinese acquisitions. Brian Curran has vast technical experience in the national security and export controls field, which positions him to advise on complex CFIUS-related issues in critical technology fields. Curran demonstrated this in his representation of data and analytical platform, Allstacks. Zachary Alvarez and Patrick Miller provide comprehensive support from associate level.

Morrison Foerster advises and represents foreign investors and acquirers of US businesses, as well as U.S.-based companies before CFIUS, often in issues pertaining to investigatory and enforcement processes. The firm, headquartered in Silicon Valley, has a well-earned reputation for strength in the tech sector and specifically on tech-focussed M&A deals; this provides a stream of CFIUS-related work in an industry that is becoming increasingly CFIUS sensitive. Brandon Van Grack, who has broad experience serving in the U.S. Department of Justice, leads the firm's wider National Security group and assists some large foreign companies, such as SoftBank. Charles Capito has helped secure clearances for some significant and sensitive cases reviewed by CFIUS and is able to counsel clients across every aspect of the CFIUS process. James Brower, who was promoted to Partner in 2024, is a key member of the team, often representing leading companies and investors.

WilmerHale, a Washington D.C. powerhouse in regard to government and regulatory affairs, offers strong credentials in the national security space, and a genuine CFIUS specialism. The team’s capabilities go beyond CFIUS interaction and reviews, with the ability to structure transactions, provide national security assessments, negotiate of security agreements, and advise on mitigation strategies all on offer to their clients. Department head Benjamin Powell, who previously served as the General Counsel to the Director of National Intelligence, is well renowned in the market due to his experience in handling complex regulatory matters relating to international investment and mergers. Jason Chipman‘s advice on CFIUS-sensitive foreign investments, such as a $9 billion transaction involving semiconductor memory technology, is informed by his deep government experience within the Department of Justice. Other key lawyers include Robert Kimmitt and 2024 partner-level addition Neena Shenai who brings a wealth of medical technology knowledge.

Led by the highly-regarded Aimen Mir, the Freshfields LLP CFIUS practice continues to make notable strides within the market. Based in Washington D.C., Mir leans upon over a decade of experience in policy-shaping roles within U.S. national security frameworks, he has a wealth of knowledge of CFIUS-related processes. Mir is supported in D.C. by Christine Laciak who, alongside some talented junior lawyers such as Colin Costello, forms a formidable team capable of handling complex, cross-border matters that are CFIUS-sensitive. The team, due to their insight into CFIUS regulation and processes, are able to gain approval on numerous difficult transactions, as well as coordinating global CFIUS reviews due to the firm's international reach.

Goodwin‘s global trade practice represents a range of clients in complex matters before CFIUS, with a notable specialism in handling issues pertaining to critical technologies. The firm blends its expertise in global trade, technology, and life sciences to assist notable domestic and international clients with CFIUS compliance matters across sensitive industries. Richard Matheny, based in Washington D.C. co-leads the team and is experienced in assisting private equity firms, technology companies and foreign investors navigate CFIUS regulations. Matheny co-leads alongside Jacob Osborn, a former software developer and encryption technology expert, who focuses his practice on regulatory compliance in the electronics, software, and encryption fields. Jason Wilcox, a counsel within the team, supports the team heads by providing general compliance advice on CFIUS reviews.

Steptoe LLP‘s CFIUS work forms a significant part of their wider International Trade and Regulatory Compliance group. The team’s client base covers US and international companies, with a notable focus on matters pertaining to sensitive sectors including critical technologies, defense, and semiconductor manufacturing. Brian Fleming, who formerly served as Assistant Attorney General for National Security at the Department of Justice, advises on sensitive legal and policy issues related to their transactions and is capable of helping clients navigate CFIUS processes involving filings, investigations, and mitigation agreements. Fleming co-heads the team alongside Meredith Rathbone. Alan Cohn adds to the team’s knowledge of government processes, drawing upon his experience serving in senior policy positions at the Department of Homeland Security during former administrations. Evan Abrams is a key associate in the team and is active in many of the firm’s CFIUS matters. Stewart Baker retired in December 2024.

Akin‘s CFIUS bench provides an ‘unparalleled depth of expertise’ through the blend of the firm’s wider international reach, comprehensive corporate deal flow, a wealth of seasoned practitioners throughout government relations practices, and a wealth of former high-ranking national security and foreign policy officials within their ranks. These factors enable the team to handle complex matters within CFIUS-sensitive industries and jurisdictions, including defense, energy, and technology for a client base that involves sovereign wealth funds. Christian Davis leads the practice and focuses on CFIUS risk management during high-value corporate transactions. Katherine Padgett is also a key team member. Laura Black departed the team in 2025.

Baker McKenzie LLP leans upon its broad global footprint to provide encompassing services in the foreign investment field, offering various capabilities in assisting clients with their CFIUS matters. The team is able to provide counsel across the entire transaction lifecycle, from filing strategy through to negotiation of mitigation agreement. Rod Hunter, former White House lead for CFIUS, and Sylwia Lis are the senior members of the team. Lis has extensive experience advising companies on regulations relating to sensitive transactions involving critical technology and defense. Lise Test is counsel within the team, whilst Daniel Andreeff and Alexandra Kumar provide significant support from Associate level.

Dechert LLP represents significant global investors, including sovereign wealth funds, on issues pertaining to CFIUS-sensitive jurisdictions or industries. With notable work in industries such as semiconductors, healthcare and financial data, the team has demonstrated the extent of its capabilities across the transaction lifecycle, including the negotiation of National Security Agreements. Jeremy B. Zucker, chair of the firm National Security Practice, has ‘had exposure to many different CFIUS scenarios, which makes him a star in this field.’ Zucker is supported by Hrishikesh Hari and Darshak Dholakia, to form a team capable of handling a breadth of issues with a strong track record.

DLA Piper LLP (US) ‘s strong international network positions them well to counsel a broad range of clients on CFIUS issues. The firm’s client list boasts financial sponsors, private companies, and sovereign wealth funds and they are adept in handling matters across multiple industry sectors, with the volume and breadth of CFIUS work being a notable strength of the team. Nicholas Klein and Christine Daya, based in D.C., lead the CFIUS working group which draws upon attorneys from a variety of the firm’s teams including government contracts, international trade, and technology. Leonard Yoo has made notable contributions.

King & Spalding LLP‘s CFIUS work falls under its wider international trade group and is adept in advising clients and securing clearances on a range of CFIUS-sensitive transactions. The team, led in D.C. by Christine Savage, regularly advises clients on transaction notifications, filing of declarations, mitigation processes, and investment structuring. Savage, who served as an Attorney-Advisor in the Clinton administration’s Commerce Department, is well known for her work in fintech, aerospace, and defense. Philip Ludvigson, described as ‘knowledgeable, practical, responsive, and accountable’, has vast experience both in public and private CFIUS-related roles.Ludvigson and Jamieson Greer are key members of the D.C. team.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP‘s ‘well-unified and collaborative’ CFIUS team, supported by the firm’s wider China, corporate, and technology practices to provide reliable counsel to private equity funds and U.S. technology start-ups on CFIUS-related matters. The team's client base spans semiconductors, defense, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and autonomous vehicles. The ‘extraordinarily well-versed’ Nancy Fischer, who is the firm’s Global Head of Regulatory, concentrates her practice on investment reviews and mitigation of CFIUS-sensitive transactions. Christopher Wall is a key member of the team and drives a long-standing relationship with Australian global investment banking firm, Macquarie Group. Aaron Hutman advises clients on the strategic impacts of CFIUS authorities, whilst newly promoted partner Matthew Rabinowitz has a particular focus on obtaining clearances for China-related transactions.

Reed Smith LLP's CFIUS practice demonstrates the ability to handle regulatory issues across the full transaction lifecycle. The team has successfully counseled clients on significant and complex transactions, some of which required the negotiation of CFIUS mitigation agreements. Michael Lowell, who splits his time between Washington D.C. and Tysons, VA, leads the team and has handled some significant multinational transactions in industries including software, AI, biotech, and aerospace. Lizbeth Rodriguez-Johnson, based in Tysons, and Paula Salamoun, D.C. support Lowell on all CFIUS matters.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP represents public companies, private equity funds, and sovereign wealth funds in direct investment reviews conducted by CFIUS. The team is well integrated with Weil’s wider and sophisticated M&A and private equity teams which ensures a strong workflow and breadth of expertise. Shawn Cooley leads the team from Washington D.C. and has a deep experience with CFIUS having served within US government departments across three administrations. Cooley is regularly supported on matters by Nathan Cunningham.