Sanctions Investigations

We have crossed into an era of heightened sanctions enforcement. Governments that have adopted sanctions as a key geopolitical tool are now focusing on enforcing those measures – recognizing that their effectiveness is dependent on proactive enforcement. Sanctions and related export control investigations, whether self-initiated or triggered by regulators, law enforcement agencies or other factors, such as whistleblowers and investigative journalists, have significantly increased in number and importance.

We understand that navigating the ever-evolving sanctions enforcement landscape can feel like walking a tightrope. One misstep and your company could be facing material fines, reputational damage and even criminal charges.

Our Global Sanctions Investigations Group comprises seasoned professionals from across our US and non-US offices with extensive experience in cross-border sanctions and export controls investigations, including administrative, civil and criminal cases before the likes of OFAC, BIS, and DOJ in the US, and key agencies outside of the US, such as OFSI and the NCA in the UK and a range of prosecutors across the EU. Our long established reputation in the area of sanctions and export controls means that our experience has been built up over an extended period and across a range of sanctions programs, including those imposed against Iran, Cuba, Syria, North Korea and Russia.

Our global capabilities are key given that it is now the norm for investigations to involve the sanctions and export controls laws of multiple jurisdictions – such as the US, UK, various EU member states, and other jurisdictions around the world, including in Asia and the Middle East – and for inter-agency cross-border cooperation to happen as a matter of course. Our team has deep experience with these types of cross-border investigations. We have offices in the majority of the jurisdictions that have emerged as the key players in the sanctions enforcement landscape, and have the global outlook and local expertise needed to support clients in today’s environment.

Experience

Why Baker McKenzie?

Navigating and resolving investigations		Understanding the enforcement agencies		Proven global sanctions expertise
Extensive experience with global voluntary disclosures, and internal and government-initiated investigations for clients around the world. Frequently manage investigations involving client operations (and potential violations) in multiple countries with support from Baker McKenzie teams in those jurisdictions. Deep expertise regarding global trade/export controls and sanctions regimes across the US, UK, EU and other jurisdictions, including in Asia and the Middle East.		We regularly work on investigations involving OFAC, BIS, DOJ, HSI, ICE, CBP, and DDTC in the US; OFSI, HMRC and the NCA in the UK; and their counterparts in other jurisdictions (e.g., BAFA in Germany, MOFCOM in China, local prosecutors' offices, etc.). Our team includes a number of former enforcement officials, including from the DOJ and SEC in the US; the SFO, FCA and HMRC in the UK; and the European Commission and MOFCOM in China, among other jurisdictions.		We are one of the few law firms offering sanctions and export controls advice globally as a dedicated service, with deep experience in all key regions and industries. Our Global Sanctions Investigations Group has trade compliance and sanctions investigations experts in many of the most active sanctions enforcement jurisdictions, including in multiple countries around the EU.

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