Michael Burton has more than 16 years experience representing US and foreign clients on a wide range of issues related to compliance with and enforcement of US export controls (Export Administration Regulations and International Traffic in Arms Regulations), economic sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), antiboycott, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, anti-money laundering, and import laws. He counsels clients on complex trade controls issues, designs and audits corporate compliance programs, and has obtained numerous US government licenses authorizing transactions under these controls.

 

For his clients — ranging from Fortune 500 companies with novel trade controls challenges to smaller corporations without substantial in-house compliance resources — Michael develops compliance systems to identify, avoid, and mitigate international regulatory risks. He also conducts internal investigations, compliance assessments and due diligence, prepares voluntary disclosures, and defends and resolves enforcement actions before the US Departments of Commerce, Treasury, State, and Homeland Security.

 

Previous Work

 

Prior to joining Jacobson Burton PLLC, Michael was Managing Member of the DC office of Joiner Burton PLLC. He was previously a Member/Partner at two prestigious international trade law practices in Washington, DC. During his career, he has had the privilege of practicing with the most talented lawyers in the field.

 

Professional Activities

 

Michael is Co-Chair of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Export Controls and Economic Sanctions Committee of the Section of International Law 2012-2014 and is a member of the OFAC Practitioners’ Group. He also serves on the editorial board of the World Export Controls Review.

 

Publications, Presentations and Recognitions

 

Michael is a frequent speaker, author, and commentator who has been interviewed and quoted by Dow Jones, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg Newswires, BNA, the World Export Controls Review, Law 360, and the BBC.  During law school, Michael served as a Notes and Comments editor of The Georgetown Law Journal. More recently, he co-authored the ABA International Practitioner’s Deskbook Series, Joint Ventures in the International Arena, Second Edition, chapter titled “International Trade Considerations in International Joint Ventures,” 2010. Michael edited the “Export Controls and Economic Sanctions” chapter in The International Lawyer, Spring 2011, Volume 45, Number 1. In 2012, Michael co-authored the Exporter’s Policy & Procedure Manual through Thomson Reuters / Boskage Commercial Publications.  Michael also authored the “Antiboycott Compliance" chapter for the ABA Section of International Law’s Handbook of Export Controls & Economic Sanctions (Spring 2013).   

 

Michael is listed in Chambers USA for the practices of Export Controls and Economic Sanctions. He also is listed in Legal 500 and is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.

 

Education

Georgetown University Law Center, JD  1997

• Magna cum laude; Order of the Coif

Brown University, BA (International Relations) 1994

• Magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa

 

Bar Admissions

• District of Columbia Bar

• Maryland Bar