Advises on matters at the intersection of national security, geopolitics and emerging technologies involving complex U.S. economic sanctions and export controls laws and regulations.
Counsels U.S. and international companies, including Fortune Global 500 companies, across a variety of industries, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence & machine learning, advanced manufacturing, advanced computing, emerging technologies, telecommunications, medtech, aerospace & defense and financial services.
Assists clients with strategic guidance, license applications, commodity classifications, compliance program design and implementation, audits and voluntary disclosures.

John helps clients navigate increasingly complex U.S. export controls and economic sanctions to achieve their business objectives. He handles all aspects of U.S. trade control regulatory processes, regularly partnering with clients on matters involving the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS); International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) administered by the U.S. Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC); economic sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC); and U.S. antiboycott laws.

He closely monitors legislative and regulatory developments involving U.S. export controls and sanctions, using this insight to inform strategic legal counsel for clients navigating evolving U.S. national security, foreign policy and emerging technology objectives.

John serves as the co-chair of Akin’s Washington, D.C. Associates Committee and is a member of the firmwide Co-Chair Associates and Counsel Committe.

Representative Work

Secured multiple export licenses from BIS, valued at over $120 million, for a leading technology company in connection with novel U.S. export controls on advanced computing items.
Advised a U.S. multinational software company in submission of voluntary disclosure of potential U.S. export control violations to BIS, resulting in a “No-Action Letter” for the company.
Advised a higher education institution in submission of voluntary self-disclosure to OFAC about potential violations of U.S. sanctions targeting Iran, resulting in a “No-Action Letter.”
Secured specific authorization from OFAC for an alternative asset manager to engage in activities otherwise prohibited by OFAC’s Russia sanctions program, including preparing responses to agency requests.
Counseled clients across the space & aerospace, telecommunications, health care and financial services industries, including one of the largest financial institutions in the world, in compliance matters related to U.S. antiboycott regulations involving worldwide operations.

Education
J.D., College of William and Mary School of Law, 2020
B.S., University of Pittsburgh, magna cum laude, 2017

Bar Admissions
District of Columbia

Affiliations and Public Service

Summer Law Clerk, Office of Chief Counsel for Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security

Speeches and Publications

Instructor, “OFAC Regulations Masterclass Training Course: Intermediate and Advanced Level,” Association of Certified Sanctions Specialists, March 2025; June 2024.