Jeff Schwartz

Jeff Schwartz is an international trade attorney and global risk management professional with over 20 years’ experience as a trusted advisor and problem solver, including a decade as Senior Associate at a Chambers-rated international trade practice of an international law firm in Washington, DC, and 12 years leading and transforming in-house compliance programs for Fortune 50 multinationals in the information technology, software, cybersecurity, aerospace and defense and industrial manufacturing sectors.
 
Jeff brings deep, practical expertise to his clients across a range of regulatory areas: economic sanctions and embargoes, dual-use and defense export controls, KYC/anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing, customs and trade remedies, anti-corruption and business integrity, CFIUS, cybersecurity and data governance. Jeff’s in-house roles included leadership of international trade compliance programs on a global basis, as well as leadership of compliance investigations, compliance audit and remediation, due diligence and third-party risk management functions.
 
Each of these in-house experiences came with extensive US government enforcement scrutiny on the company at the time, for example, Department of Justice Deferred Prosecution Agreements and Department of State/DDTC Consent Agreements.
 
Jeff has also overseen the separation or acquisition/integration of dozens of compliance programs in connection with corporate acquisitions, divestitures and restructurings, including requisite pre-deal diligence and exposure remediation. He has also supported business leadership in conducting confidential risk assessment and investigation activities associated with potential new business.
 
Across stints as outside counsel and in-house, Jeff has developed a genuine passion for demystifying regulatory requirements, helping companies improve compliance program performance, finding pragmatic solutions to adjust to regulatory change, and steering clients to optimal outcomes from active enforcement actions. Jeff also leverages his background in management consulting to translate legal guidance into actionable client solutions to better enable adoption and traction.
 
On a pro bono basis Jeff has represented several refugees and asylum seekers in removal proceedings before U.S. Immigration Courts in Virginia and Maryland, and regularly provides Know Your Rights presentations to newly arrived refugees and immigrants.
 
Education:
Emory University, Atlanta, GA – B.A. International Studies (2000)
The George Washington University Law School, Washington, DC – J.D., with highest honors (2006)
The George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs, Washington, DC – M.A. International Economic Affairs (2006)
 
Admissions:
New York
Washington, DC