Overview
Darshak S. Dholakia advises corporations and individuals on compliance with a broad range of national security and international trade laws. He has significant experience assessing and mitigating potential legal risks under economic sanctions programs administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), anti-money laundering (AML) provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and other anti-corruption laws.
Foreign investors, acquirers, and US sellers and targets turn to Darshak for representation in investment transactions involving national security reviews conducted by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and potential concerns under the US Treasury Outbound Investment Security Program. Darshak is also well-versed in tariffs and import controls, as well as export controls, including the Export Administration Regulations, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and the Part 110 and 810 nuclear export control regulations.
With a focus on proactive risk management, Darshak is skilled in developing practical and effective compliance programs, conducting internal investigations, overseeing risk assessments, conducting due diligence for corporate transactions, and interacting with government agencies in compliance and enforcement proceedings. He works with a wide range of clients, including technology and artificial intelligence companies, financial services companies, sovereign wealth funds, travel agencies, and manufacturing companies.
A frequent author and speaker on national security and corruption law, Darshak has presented at numerous conferences covering economic sanctions, export controls, and anti-corruption. He has written and contributed to numerous articles and chapters in publications, including Global Legal Insights – Bribery & Corruption and the Global Trade and Customs Journal. Darshak also maintains a dedicated pro bono practice, earning him a spot on the Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll multiple times.
Results
- Advised and conducted training sessions for investment advisers, mutual funds, and other financial services companies regarding compliance with economic sanctions, anti-bribery, and anti-money laundering laws*
- Conducted a risk assessment and enhancement of the export control and sanctions compliance program of a multinational network infrastructure and cloud service provider company*
- Advised a publicly traded satellite technology company on compliance with global export control, sanctions, and anti-bribery laws*
- Conducted anti-bribery investigations in various Latin American countries on behalf of a publicly traded medical device company*
- Represented senior officials of a publicly traded high technology company in anti-bribery investigations by the US Department of Justice and Securities & Exchange Commission*
- Represented various sanctioned persons in connection with seeking removal of their designations under various sanctions programs*
- Negotiated a settlement agreement with the US Department of the Treasury related to violations of economic sanctions on behalf of a global travel services company*
- Represented an Asian sovereign wealth fund before CFIUS in connection with multiple investments in US companies*
- Conducted a risk assessment and implemented related changes to the global anti-financial crimes compliance program of a major investment management firm*
- Conducted an internal investigation in response to a whistleblower report alleging anti-bribery violations on behalf of a publicly traded high technology company*
- Advised a cryptocurrency exchange on resolving a subpoena from the US Department of the Treasury related to potential violations of anti-money laundering and economic sanctions laws and regulations*
*Matter handled prior to joining McDermott.
Recognitions
- Legal 500 US, Next Generation Partner, International Trade and National Security: Customs, Export Controls and Economic Sanctions, 2024
- Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2014- 2024
Community
- South Asian Bar Association, member
- National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, member
- American Society of International Law, member
