Akin Expands National Security Investigations Capabilities in Los Angeles with Addition of Former DOJ NSD Deputy Chief Sarah Gerdes

(Los Angeles) – Akin announced today that Sarah Gerdes has joined the firm as senior counsel in its international trade practice in Los Angeles, further enhancing Akin’s national security & global investigations capabilities on the West Coast. Sarah joins a growing group of highly skilled international trade and investigations advisors in Los Angeles, including George Pence, former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California in its Terrorism and Export Crimes Section, and Gregory Dunlap, former Special Agent in Charge in the Office of Export Enforcement at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security.

Sarah most recently served at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California as Deputy Chief in the National Security Division (NSD) and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, where she led complex investigations and prosecutions involving export controls and sanctions violations, as well as terrorism, cybercrime, economic and traditional espionage, weapons trafficking, money laundering, bribery and fraud. She previously served as Deputy Chief in the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section.

“With Sarah joining George Pence and Gregory Dunlap in Los Angeles, we continue to build one of the strongest concentrations of national security, trade enforcement and global investigations talent on the West Coast,” said Jonathan Poling, head of the firm’s international trade practice. “Sarah has handled some of the most complex national security, terrorism and export control investigations in California, and we’re thrilled to welcome her to the team.”

“The intersection of export controls, economic sanctions and emerging technologies like AI, have pulled national security investigations from the shadows and onto the front page. When I decided to enter private practice, Akin’s investment in a robust team focused on national security and global investigations, as well as its deep bench of former colleagues made the firm a natural choice,” said Sarah on her move to the firm.

Sarah also joins many other former senior government national security investigators: Opher Shweiki, former BIS Chief Counsel; Jason Prince, former Office of Foreign Assets Control Chief (OFAC) Chief Counsel; Ryan Fayhee, former Department of Justice (DOJ) senior prosecutor and national security official; and Jonathan Poling, former prosecutor for the DOJ’s National Security Division, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

About Akin’s International Trade Practice

Akin’s renowned international trade practice guides clients through the strategic decisions, regulatory frameworks and enforcement matters that shape how goods, services, people and technologies move around the world. The practice is among the largest, most distinguished and most geographically diverse in the world.

Akin’s team includes former high-ranking national security and foreign policy officials from the departments of Justice, Commerce, State, Treasury, Defense and Homeland Security, as well as the United States Trade Representative, White House and Congress. With lawyers and advisors located in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, the team brings a global perspective to clients’ matters.

The firm’s broader regulatory section has more than 130 professionals covering antitrust, communications, cybersecurity, financial services, environmental, government procurement, health care, international trade, privacy and transportation issues.

Akin is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers and advisors in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

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