National Security

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Led by a team of former senior U.S. Government officials with deep experience in national security matters, and supported by our firm’s highly accrediting International Trade Compliance group, Wiggin and Dana offers a suite of compliance, investigative, and advocacy expertise to companies and individuals grappling with national security issues. Our team includes:

David Ring, Former Assistant U.S. Attorney and Anti-Terrorism Coordinator for the District of Connecticut, former Trial Attorney for the Department of Justice Public Integrity Section, and Director of Global Investigations for a Fortune 50 global defense contractor;
David L. Hall, Former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware (national security coordinator); former naval intelligence officer (retired at the rank of Captain after thirty years of service, active and reserve, with DIA, ONI, the Joint Staff, and numerous joint and Navy commands).
James I. Glasser, Former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, former Counsel to the U.S. Attorney and former Chief of the Criminal Division.

Export Control and Sanctions Enforcement

In addition to counseling both domestic and international clients on compliance with U.S. export control and sanctions laws, we represent companies and individuals in regulatory investigations by the Bureau of Industry (BIS) and at the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) at the U.S. Department of State. We also represent clients in all phases of criminal investigations and prosecutions regarding alleged violations of U.S. export control and sanctions laws. In this regard, served as a State Department appointed monitor of a consent agreement, and have been selected by the State Department to conduct independent reviews.

Internal Investigations

We conduct internal investigations regarding insider threats, the theft of proprietary intellectual property or sensitive information benefiting a foreign government or entity (economic espionage), the spillage or potential compromise of classified information, and possible violations of U.S. export control and sanctions laws. In economic espionage cases where the Department of Justice has initiated a criminal investigation or prosecution, we assist cooperative victim companies by working to obtain protective orders and other measures to protect against the further compromise of intellectual property or reputational harm.

Government Investigations

We assist companies in responding to government requests or compulsory demands for information, such as National Security Letters, criminal search warrants, Civil Investigative Demands and Grand Jury subpoenas In addition, we represent clients in administrative and criminal investigations, Inspector General investigations, and congressional investigations in matters relating to national security.

Cybersecurity

In response to the heightened threat environment involving cyber intrusions and attacks, a large percentage of which emanate from foreign countries, Wiggin and Dana assists clients in establishing and maintaining minimum cybersecurity standards pursuant to the framework set forth by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), devising and implementing a cyber incident management plan in anticipation of a data breach, and helping to manage responses to cyber incidents – including working with law enforcement.

CFIUS

We counsel clients on whether potential transactions are subject to review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), as recently impacted by the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 (FIRRMA). We assist clients in submitting voluntary notices of transactions when appropriate, represent parties in transactions under review by CFIUS, help to negotiate the mitigation of risks to national security when necessary, and otherwise provide representation before CFIUS to secure approval of the transaction.

Industrial Security and Security Clearances

Our team assists government contractors in meeting the regulatory requirements of the National Industrial Security Program (NISP) and responding to issues relating to foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI) triggered by a foreign investment or acquisition. We also represent individuals in proceedings to suspend or revoke personal security clearances. A member of the team maintains current DoD security clearances.