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Peter Lichtenbaum

Partner

Washington +1 202 662 5557

English
  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Peter Lichtenbaum advises clients on a broad array of international regulatory compliance and trade matters, including export controls, economic sanctions, national security reviews of foreign investments, anti-corruption laws, market access, and international trade disputes. He has specialized experience in the aerospace and defense industries.

    Peter is ranked in Band 1 for Export Controls & Sanctions in Chambers USA (2019), which reports that he is “one of those rare lawyers who thinks through all the options moving forward.” Chambers describes him as a “go-to lawyer for those with export controls and sanctions issues.”

    Peter has recently helped several companies establish, review or enhance their compliance programs. He is advising major technology companies regarding the impact of recent and ongoing export control developments on their businesses. He has worked with many leading aerospace and defense companies on internal investigations and disclosures related to trade controls and China. He also advises many of these companies on export control reform and defense trade policy issues, including international agreements on the regulation of defense trade. He has extensive experience with the trade controls issues that arise in the U.S. system for national security review of foreign investment, helping companies to identify issues and mitigate government concerns.

    Peter served as Vice President for Regulatory Compliance and International Policy at BAE Systems, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of one of the world’s largest defense contractors. He was responsible for a broad array of regulatory compliance and policy issues. He participated in BAE Systems’ development of innovative standards of internal governance in order for the company to be recognized as a global leader in ethical business conduct.

    Previously, Peter held senior positions in the Department of Commerce, one of three key agencies responsible for administering U.S. trade controls. From October 2003 through February 2006, he served as the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration, responsible for developing BIS policies regarding export controls imposed for national security, foreign policy, nonproliferation, and other reasons. Peter chaired the inter-agency Advisory Committee on Export Policy, and managed BIS’s participation in multilateral export control regimes. He represented the Department of Commerce in many sensitive matters reviewed by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Peter served for several months as Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security and as Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters
    • Advising multiple U.S. and international technology companies regarding the impact of recent Entity List designations on their operations.
    • Advising large U.S.-based software company regarding its compliance with deemed export controls under the EAR and ITAR.
    • Conducting risk assessment of large U.S.-based technology company’s export controls and sanctions compliance program.
    • Advising large U.S.-based defense company regarding the implementation of a compliance agreement under the ITAR.
    • Advising large U.S.-based aerospace and defense company regarding licenses to support international civil aerospace development
    • Advising large European-based aerospace and defense company regarding compliance with the EAR and ITAR.
    • Advising large Middle East-based petrochemical company regarding its overall compliance program, including trade controls and anti-corruption.

    • Advising U.S.-based multinational company in its compliance with U.S. export controls and trade sanctions, including with respect to Russia and Iran.
    • Advised large U.S.-based aerospace and defense company regarding its response to U.S. government investigations of export control violations related to China.
    • Advised major international consultancy in review of its trade controls compliance program.
    • Advised large U.S.-based consultancy in review of its trade controls compliance program.
    • Advised large multinational company regarding internal investigation and disclosure of dual-use export control violations related to China.
    • Advised major aerospace company regarding settlement of Justice Department and State Department defense export control enforcement cases.
    • Led analysis of European dual-use and defense trade controls for major aerospace company with sites in several countries.
    • Defended individual charged with criminal violations of U.S. dual-use export controls.
    • Assisted U.S. aerospace company with export classification and licensing requirements for joint venture with Chinese partner.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • Harvard Law School, J.D., 1990
        • cum laude
    • Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, M.P.P., 1990
    • Princeton University, Public and International Affairs, A.B., 1986
        • magna cum laude
        • Phi Beta Kappa
    Bar Admissions
    • District of Columbia
    Government Experience
    • U.S. Department of Commerce
    • U.S. Department of the Treasury
    Pro Bono
    • Advising global pro bono law firm regarding a wide range of international human rights issues, such as restrictions on non-government organizations and land confiscation policies.
    Accolades
    • Peter was recognized by GIR as one of the 25 most respected sanctions lawyers in Washington, DC (2019).
    • Law360, International Trade MVP (2012)
    • Chambers Global, International Trade (2014-2025)    
    • Chambers USA - America's Leading Business Lawyers, International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions (2013-2025)
    • Best Lawyers in America (2013-2022)     
    • Legal 500 US, “Leading Lawyer” - Litigation: International Trade (2014-2017)
    • Legal 500 US, Litigation: International Trade (2013-2017)
    • The BTI Consulting Group, “Client Service All-Stars” (2020)
    • Washington DC Super Lawyers, International (2014-2023)
    • Who's Who Legal, Trade & Customs (2015)
    Memberships and Affiliations
    • U.S. State Department, Defense Trade Advisory Group (DTAG)
    • Washington Export Council, Chairman
    • American League for Exports and Security Assistance (ALESA), General Counsel
    • Defense Export Controls Forum, Steering Committee and former Chairman
    • American Bar Association Section of International Law, past co-Chair, Committee on Export Controls and Economic Sanctions
    • U.S. Chamber of Commerce, International Policy Committee
    • Aerospace Industries Association, International Council (2007-2010)
    Previous Experience
    • BAE Systems, Inc., Vice President for Regulatory Compliance and International Policy
    • U.S. Department of Commerce, Assistant Secretary for Export Administration
    • U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of General Counsel (Honors Attorney)

    Areas of Expertise

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