J. Patrick Rowan Partner

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As a member of the firm’s nationally recognized Government Investigations and White Collar Litigation department, Pat’s practice focuses on criminal and civil enforcement proceedings and internal investigations. He has substantial experience in international and national security matters. He has represented individuals and companies in a variety of federal criminal investigations, as well as civil enforcement actions. He also advises corporate clients on compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, OFAC sanctions, the ITAR, the EAR and CFIUS regulations. He has conducted numerous internal investigations for large companies with significant international operations.

Pat spent 18 years in the Department of Justice (DOJ). He most recently served as Assistant Attorney General for National Security. In that Senate-confirmed position, Pat led the National Security Division (NSD), which was formally created by statute in 2006 to bring together all of DOJ’s national security operations under a single authority. As part of his duties, he supervised DOJ’s national security investigations and prosecutions, including all of DOJ’s prosecutions for violations of OFAC sanctions and export controls. In addition, he managed the government’s practice before the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court; the coordinated nationwide counterterrorism enforcement program; and the administration of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).  He also oversaw DOJ’s review of foreign acquisitions of U.S. companies through the interagency Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).

He previously served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the NSD.  As the Principal Deputy, he directed the launch and implementation of a nationwide export enforcement initiative, an interagency effort to target the illegal export of sensitive technology and weapons components.

Pat gained extensive courtroom experience while serving as an assistant U.S. attorney for more than 10 years in Washington, D.C. During his tenure, he handled more than 60 jury trials and a number of arguments before the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals and the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.

Experience

  • Counsel conducting internal investigation of foreign financial institution in connection with potential violations of OFAC regulations.
  • Representation of then-Vice President Mike Pence in special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 elections.
  • Counsel conducting pre-merger FCPA compliance audit of international medical device manufacturer.
  • Representation of business owner criminally charged with violation of OFAC regulations relating to Iran Sanctions.
  • Representation of former senior official of FIFA in a wide-ranging bribery investigation of FIFA by the DOJ.
  • Representation of individual in Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) criminal investigation and prosecution.
  • Counsel performing independent review of anti-money laundering (AML) and Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) compliance program in place at international, publicly traded casino.
  • Representation of consulting firm in responding to letter for inquiry from the Foreign Agents Registration (FARA) Unit of DOJ.
  • Counsel conducting FCPA audit and analysis on behalf of multinational agricultural company.
  • Representation of various senior government officials in investigations by DOJ and OIG.
  • Representation of Fortune 50 firm in internal investigations regarding compliance with FCPA.
  • Counsel advising international commodity trading company regarding compliance with multiple OFAC sanctions regimes.
  • Representation of European insurance executive in connection with criminal prosecution of international fraud scheme.
  • Counsel to U.S. subsidiary regarding ITAR compliance relating to information accessible to foreign parent company.
  • Counsel conducting review of compliance program for Fortune 50 firm.
  • Representation of senior employee of large international oil-sector business in connection with DOJ investigation of potential violations of OFAC regulations relating to Iran Sanctions.
  • Counsel to foreign purchaser of U.S. telecommunications company in connection with CFIUS review.
  • Counsel to domestic energy company during CFIUS review of company’s sale of assets to a foreign buyer.
  • Counsel to numerous U.S. businesses on compliance with ITAR, EAR and OFAC regulations in connection with international operations.
  • Representation of individuals and an organization in several criminal investigations of potential violations of Federal election laws prohibiting conduit contributions.
  • Representation of healthcare executive in connection with investigation of kickbacks and false claims.
  • Counsel to domestic manufacturer of defense systems during CFIUS review of its acquisition by a European company.