Ragan W. Updegraff

Counsel

Areas of Focus

Ragan W. Updegraff

Counsel

rupdegraff@akingump.com

Areas of Focus

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Biography
  • Advises clients in high technology sectors on U.S. export controls and sanctions issues related to regulatory interpretation, export jurisdiction and classification, enforcement actions and voluntary disclosures, licensing and policy advocacy (e.g., through submission of comments in response to administrative rulemakings).
  • Develops trade compliance programs, including drafting procedures, designing training, implementing corrective actions and conducting self-assessments and audits.
  • Counsels buyers, sellers and borrowers conducting due diligence and mitigating trade compliance-related liabilities in mergers & acquisitions, financings and other corporate transactions.

Ragan focuses his practice on matters involving the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and U.S. primary and secondary sanctions programs. He represents clients in the aerospace, defense, semiconductor and energy sectors, as well as university and research institutions. Ragan is committed to working with clients to develop creative, efficient and cost-effective solutions that solve for the challenges raised by the intersection of the advanced technologies that drive their businesses and the U.S. national security concerns that drive the laws and regulations with which they must comply.

Prior to law school, Ragan was a Fulbright Research Fellow in Turkey and worked in international development and journalism. He is a member of the American Bar Association’s International Law Section, the Society of International Affairs, the Customs and International Trade Bar Association, and the Washington International Trade Association. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including the Georgetown Journal of International Law, for which he was cited in a petition for writ of certiorari before the Supreme Court of the United States.

Education
  • J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, cum laude, 2017

  • B.A., Trinity University, summa cum laude, 2006

Bar Admissions
  • District of Columbia

Recognitions

The Legal 500, Litigation: International Trade, 2021.

  • Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2020-2023.
Affiliations and Public Service
  • American Bar Association, International Law Section
  • Society of International Affairs
  • Customs and International Trade Bar Association
  • Washington International Trade Association
  • Legal Extern, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Legal Affairs

Insights and Achievements

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