In October 2007, the Justice Department launched its National Counter-Proliferation Initiative to increase the detection and prosecution of export control violations.  In the two years since this program started, the number of criminal and civil cases targeting violations of the ITAR, EAR and trade sanctions has jumped sharply.  Often working together as part of a joint task force, federal agents from the FBI, Justice, BIS, ICE, OFAC, State and Defense have prosecuted companies and individuals for illegally exporting goods and technology not only to countries such as Iran, China and Cuba but also to close allies such as Canada, Mexico, Taiwan and Israel.  This timely one-hour briefing on Tuesday, April 6 at 2:00 P.M. (Eastern) will give you a first-hand view of what, who and how the U.S. government is targeting export violations.  Our featured speakers are Steven W. Pelak, National Coordinator for Export Enforcement at the U.S. Department of Justice, and John T. Masterson Jr., Chief Counsel for Industry and Security in Department of Commerce.  Just click Add to Cart below to sign up to attend this briefing and also receive speakers’s PowerPoint presentation.

Some of the most confusing and complicated rules in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) are those that apply to the brokering of defense articles and services.  For years, U.S. exporters and their foreign distributors and agents have struggled to understand and comply with ITAR Part 129.  State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has now released a draft proposal to amend these rules.  You can obtain detailed training on current brokering requirements and a preview and explanation of the proposed changes by signing up to participate in this audio-conference briefing, which will be held on Tuesday, March 16, starting at 2:00 P.M. (Eastern).  This timely 90-minute conference call will feature two experts on ITAR requirements and brokering rules, Jason M. Silverman, a partner in the law firm of McKenna Long and Aldridge, and John R. Liebman, of counsel with McKenna Long and Aldridge.  In addition to hearing the briefing from our two speakers, you will have the opportunity to ask them questions directly during the open call-in portion of the program and receive a copy of their PowerPoint presentation.  Click Add to Cart below to register and participate.

In August 2009, the European Union implemented changes to its dual-use export control regime for the first time in a decade.   These significant reforms will have an impact on the compliance programs of all firms doing business in Europe, as well as U.S. companies that export goods or technology to any of the 27 countries belonging to the EU or ship items through those nations.  Included in the changes are new rules for “brokering services.”   This timely program will provide you with an overview of the changes that became effective with implementation of new Council Regulation No. 428/2009.  It also will offer a brief refresher on the existing EU dual-use regulations and key obligations; a heads up to new WMD and military end-use brokering controls and an explanation of the new controls on non-EU items in transit through the EU.  This briefing was held on Tuesday, November 17, 2009.   Our featured speakers were two experts on EU export controls from the London office of Baker & McKenzie, LLP: Senior Associate Sunny Mann and Associate James Robinson.  You can order a copy of the CD recording of the program and accompanying PowerPoint by clicking Add to Cart below.

In 2007 and 2008, major changes were made to the statute, regulations and executive order that govern reviews of foreign investments by the interagency Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS).  Those changes may face significant tests in the near future.  With the decline in the market capitalization of many U.S. companies and growing foreign holdings of U.S. dollars, a new wave of investments, mergers and acquisitions by foreign buyers, especially from China, India and the Middle East, may be coming.  This timely and valuable audio-conference briefing will give you an insider’s understanding of the CFIUS process and what you must know to navigate successfully a foreign acquisition of a U.S. company.   Our speakers were Nova J. Daly, public policy consultant with Wiley Rein LLP, and Theodore R. Posner, partner with Crowell & Moring LLP.  To order CD recording of program and accompanying PowerPoint, please click Add to Cart below.

On June 15, 2009, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in Chicago issued a landmark ruling in an export control enforcement case.  In its decision in U.S. v. Doli Syarief Pulungan, the court threw out the conviction of man charged with exporting USML riflescopes without a license because the government had failed to prove the scopes met military specifications.  The far-reaching ramifications of this ruling are just beginning to be realized.  The court’s opinion strikes at the heart of the government’s authority to declare which products are “defense articles” and puts new requirements on prosecutors to prove an exported item is subject to controls.  This timely audio-conference briefing will provide you with a unique and thought-provoking examination of this case by three experts in export enforcement and criminal prosecution.  Our speakers are former Assistant Attorney General for National Security J. Patrick Rowan who is now with McGuire Woods, Larry Christensen of Miller & Chevalier and Philip Rhoads of Rhoads & Reed.  The program was held on Sept. 15, 2009.  Order CD recording and PowerPoint from program.

Audits are indispensable for an effective ITAR compliance program, but they can be expensive.  You have to audit your program to be sure you have in place a system that prevents illegal exports and millions in potential fines and sanctions. Yet, you can’t afford to audit to the extent you would like.  This 90-minute audio-conference briefing will provide you with useful insights and practical advice on how to design and execute effective, cost-conscious ITAR audits.  The briefing discusses how to follow-up on audits to ensure that remedial actions are implemented.  Featured Speakers are Bart M. McMillan, partner, Baker & McKenzie LLP (Chicago) and  Mark D. Menefee, of counsel, Baker & McKenzie LLP (Washington).   Click add to cart below to order CD recording and PowerPoint from Program.

With European Union moving to exert greater authority over export control policies and practices of its 27 member countries, firms doing business in Europe must be aware of rules and regulations that restrict trade within EU and exports to other countries.  The risks of getting it wrong have never been greater.  Exports from the EU of dual-use items and technology are facing increased scrutiny, with marked increase in enforcement and prosecutions.  How do these controls compare with U.S. requirements?  What must you know when exporting from Europe?   What potential penalties do you face for violating EU export rules?  Order the CD recording and PowerPoint slides from this 90-minute briefing to get an introduction to current EU controls and proposals for new restrictions. Featured speakers are Sunny Mann, Senior Associate, Baker & McKenzie LLP, and Hamish Wood, Manager, International Trade Compliance, Halliburton.  

Each year, billions of dollars in defense exports are tied to Technical Assistance Agreements (TAA) and Manufacturing License Agreements (MLA) that State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls must review and approve.  TAAs and MLAs are the most complex and demanding licenses issued for defense articles and defense services subject to the U.S. Munitions List.  If your firm requires a TAA or MLA, you need to know how to prepare an effective application that will meet DDTC's demands; how to work with the agency to get its approval; and what you must do to comply with the conditions imposed on approved TAAs and MLAs.  Order the CD recording and PowerPoint Slides from this 90-minute audio-conference briefing and gain useful insights and practical advice on avoiding delays and problems obtaining TAAs and MLAs as well as on managing compliance with their requirements.  Our speakers are two experts on ITAR licensing requirements, Harold Luks of Poliner & Luks, and Lynn Van Buren, with DLA Piper.  Click Add to Cart below to order copy of CD recording and speakers' PowerPoint.