Washington DC-Baltimore Area
Nicholas Townsend is a Counsel in the firm's International Trade and National Security practices. His practice focuses on the intersection of technology, national security, and privacy. Nicholas Townsend has extensive experience in export controls, trade sanctions, cybersecurity, privacy and the aerospace industry. He also represents companies before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) in reviews required under the Exon-Florio statute and negotiates agreements to mitigate Foreign Ownership Control or Influence (FOCI). Mr. Townsend's privacy work includes drafting privacy policies governing companies' collection and use of customer data. He also advises clients on data breaches, including customer notice requirements and government inquiries regarding such breaches. Mr. Townsend's practice also includes advising corporations on political law compliance under federal, state and local campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics laws.
Experience in U.S. export controls, international trade sanctions, cybersecurity, and aerospace, including: • Conducting internal investigations and audits regarding U.S. export controls under International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR), including for space launch facility, jet engine manufacturer, and helicopter manufacturer. • Analyzing application of financial sanctions on Iran, Cuba, Russia/Ukraine, and other countries. • Drafting privacy policies governing companies’ collection and use of customer data. • Advising on data breaches, including customer notice requirements and government inquiries regarding such breaches. • Counseling on export/import licensing by DDTC and Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), including satellite exports and space launch/on-orbit insurance TAAs, and advising on sanctions licensing by Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). • Applying for space Launch Operator Licenses from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). • Obtaining approval of mergers and acquisitions from Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and negotiating agreements to mitigate Foreign Ownership Control or Influence (FOCI) and advising on agreements with the Defense Security Service (DSS). • Counseling IT providers, aerospace manufacturers, and government contractors on cybersecurity and supply chain security requirements, including Department of Defense (DoD) Rule on Adequate Security and Cyber Incident Reporting for Covered Defense Information. Political law experience includes advising corporations on political law compliance under federal, state and local campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics laws, including advising corporations and political action committees (PACs) on compliance with Federal Election Commission (FEC) regulations and disclosure requirements and the Lobbying Disclosure Act.
National Security, International Trade, and Political Law Compliance National security experience in U.S. export controls, international trade sanctions, cybersecurity, biodefense, and intelligence information sharing. Political law experience includes advising corporations on political law compliance under federal, state and local campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics laws.