Government Outreach Support
Navigating Government Outreach with Leading-Edge National Security Enforcement Insight
Supporting Companies Facing Regulatory and Law Enforcement Inquiries
Each year, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry (BIS) conducts nearly 2,000 industry outreach visits. Numerous other regulatory and federal law enforcement agencies conduct similar outreach. For companies engaged in export activities, these visits can be pivotal, providing opportunities to demonstrate strong compliance, but also presenting heightened risks if not managed appropriately. Such outreach may occur both within the United States and abroad.
Although these interactions may not always be presented or perceived as significant compliance events, they should consistently be treated as such, as they have served as the basis for civil and criminal enforcement actions by BIS and the Department of Justice (DOJ), as well as sanctions designations and additions to the Entity List.
Akin draws on one of the nation’s most experienced teams of former senior prosecutors, attorneys and law enforcement officials to help companies prepare for, conduct and respond to these increasingly common interactions. Our team includes:
- A Former BIS Special Agent in Charge
- A Former BIS Chief Counsel
- Numerous former DOJ national security trial attorneys and assistant U.S. attorneys.
Together, these former enforcement leaders and others at Akin give clients leading-edge insight into the priorities, expectations and decision-making processes of government agencies.
Why Companies Turn to Akin for Government Outreach Support
A Team That Has Conducted These Visits Themselves
Akin’s team is comprised of former government agents and officials who have personally conducted BIS’s Office of Export Enforcement (OEE) outreaches, end use checks, compliance inquiries and criminal export control investigations during their government service. This insider perspective enables us to prepare clients for:
- The real purpose behind the outreach visit
- The likely scope of questioning
- What agents look for in compliance programs
- Indicators that an outreach may relate to an underlying investigation.
Strategic Preparation That Reduces Risk
Akin helps clients approach outreach visits confidently and with clear messaging. Our support includes:
- Rapid assessment of outreach request and underlying context
- Preparation of company representatives
- Review of compliance gaps that might draw scrutiny
- Guidance on facility walkthroughs, documentation requests and follow-up.
Defense‑Ready Advice from Former Prosecutors and Investigators
If an outreach signals a potential investigation, Akin’s diverse experience across BIS, OFAC and DOJ, and other national security agencies enables us to:
- Identify early red flags
- Shape strategic communications with the government
- Prepare for potential administrative, civil, or criminal exposure
- Support voluntary self-disclosure strategies when appropriate.
A Global Investigations Platform
With a team spanning the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and Asia, Akin provides support wherever outreach occurs, including for overseas end use checks.
Akin’s Government Outreach Services
We offer full support to clients through every stage of the government outreach lifecycle and beyond. Before the visit, our team evaluates and analyzes the matter then prepares clients and response strategies. During the visit, we provide real-time guidance on communications and interaction with agents, including during walkthroughs. After the visit, our team delivers a detailed report and provides comprehensive advice on remediation or enhancement of compliance programs. We also assess the risk of follow-on inquiries and investigations.
Offering the Government’s Perspective Directly to Clients
Our firm has one of the strongest concentrations of national security, trade enforcement and global investigations talent in the country. Akin brings the government’s perspective directly to clients, helping them understand what matters, what does not and how to position their company for the best possible outcome.
