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    Global Problem Solving from Covington: Deal with Complex Problems Anywhere in the World

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Alan P. Larson

Senior International Policy Advisor

Washington +1 202 662 5756

English
  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Alan Larson provides clients with strategic advice, counseling and representation at the intersection of international business and public policy. A Ph.D. economist, decorated diplomat and non-lawyer, Alan advises clients on high stakes international challenges. His trouble shooting takes him to all parts of the world. His practice encompasses international investment and acquisitions; sanctions and trade compliance; international energy transactions, international aviation and international trade. He has helped win approval of the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) for some of the highest profile foreign investments in the United States, including several by state-owned companies and sovereign wealth funds.

    Alan co-leads Covington's innovative Global Problem Solving (GPS) initiative. GPS combines expert legal work with sophisticated policy strategies to solve client's most complex and consequential international challenges. He is Chairman of Coalition for Integrity and a Board Member of Helping Children Worldwide. He previously served in the State Department's top two economic policy jobs, as Under Secretary of State for Economics and Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs, as well as Ambassador to the OECD. He is a Career Ambassador, the State Department’s highest honor.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters
    • Provides strategic advice to a young international oil company active in frontier regions.
    • Provides strategic advice to a U.S. company facing a criminal investigation in a foreign jurisdiction.
    • Resolved several high value international investment disputes in the energy sector.
    • Advised CEOs and Boards of Directors on sanctions compliance issues regarding Iran and Libya.
    • Advised over a dozen firms on Iran sanctions issues and represented several before U.S. government agencies.
    • Advised dozens of firms on Russia sanctions issues.

    • Represented in the CFIUS process many firms, including SOEs and sovereign wealth funds, that successfully acquired sensitive assets in the U.S.
    • Traveled to a Central Asian capital to represent before the government the interests an oil company and two incarcerated employees.
    • Advised firms on sanctions compliance and conflicting oil claims in Southern Sudan, Burma and Cuba.
    • Advised firms on regulatory issues and policy issues in China and India.
    • Represented, before the President and Prime Minister and of Pakistan, companies seeking stronger intellectual property rights protection.
    • Advises on international legal cooperation issues, including extradition and mutual legal assistance.
    • Advised an Indonesian firm on international policy issues and a U.S. firm on an Indonesian investigation.
    • Won approval of an acquisition of a U.S. agro-business firm by a Japanese investor.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • University of Iowa, Ph.D., 1982
    • University of Iowa, B.A., 1971
    Government Experience
    • U.S. Department of State
    Languages
    • French
    Accolades
    • Secretary of State’s Distinguished Service Award, Department of State (2005)
    • Career Ambassador, U.S. Department of State (2004)
    Memberships and Affiliations
    • Coalition for Integrity, Chairman of the Board
    • Helping Children Worldwide, Board Member   
    • Co-Chaired private sector advisory panels for Obama Administration on bilateral investment treaties and corporate social responsibility guidelines
    Previous Experience
    • Department of State, Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs, Under Secretary of State (1999-2005)
    • Department of State, Economic and Business Affairs, Assistant Secretary of State (1996-1999)
    • Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Ambassador (1990-1993)

    Areas of Expertise

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