Mark E. Plotkin

January 29, 2021, Covington Alert

On January 20, 2021, U.S. presidential power transferred—peacefully—to Joseph R. Biden. Presidential transitions historically have brought near-term uncertainty for parties undertaking mergers and acquisitions in the United States, particularly transactions subject to review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). It typically takes ...

September 22, 2020, Covington Alert

On September 15, 2020, the Department of the Treasury, as chair of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”), published in the Federal Register a final rule (the “Final Rule”) amending the requirement to file with CFIUS certain transactions involving U.S. businesses that produce, design, test, manufacture, fabricate, or develop one or ...

August 20, 2020, Covington Alert

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS” or the “Committee”) released its Annual Report to Congress regarding its review of certain transactions involving foreign investment during 2019. The current Annual Report was released just two and a half months after the previous Annual Report, covering 2018, demonstrating the Committee has ...

June 4, 2020, Covington Alert

The UK has, in recent years, been one of the most attractive and open climates for foreign direct investment (“FDI”). Whilst the UK’s net FDI inflows have fallen significantly since 2016, it remains, as of 2018, one of the highest ranked countries in the world by FDI inflows. However, the UK Government’s power to scrutinise and intervene in FDI transactions ...

May 21, 2020, Covington Alert

On May 21, 2020, the Department of the Treasury, as chair of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”), published in the Federal Register a proposed rule (the “Proposed Rule”) that would amend the requirements to file with CFIUS certain transactions involving U.S. businesses that produce, design, test, manufacture, fabricate, or develop ...

May 19, 2020, Covington Alert

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS” or the “Committee”) released its Annual Report to Congress regarding foreign acquisitions of, and investments in, U.S. businesses reviewed by CFIUS in 2018. The Committee also released a table reflecting data on the total number of formal reviews (not declarations) in 2019.

April 29, 2020, Covington Alert

The day we have all been expecting has finally come — CFIUS filing fees are going into effect on May 1, 2020. As discussed in our earlier alert, on March 4, 2020, the Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) issued a proposed rule regarding CFIUS filing fees, which were authorized under the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 (“FIRRMA”). ...

April 8, 2020, Covington Alert

On Saturday, April 4, 2020, the White House released the long-awaited Executive Order (“EO”) formalizing the “Team Telecom” Process, titled the “Executive Order on Establishing the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector” (“the Committee”). This EO provides, for the first time, formal ...

April 1, 2020, Covington Alert

The scope and scale of recent events is almost inconceivable. All of us —including the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”) — are sailing in uncharted waters. That said, while we may not have all of the answers, we are able to share some insights from the CFIUS front lines regarding how the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic ...

March 9, 2020, Covington Alert

As we reported this past Friday, on March 6, 2020, President Trump issued only the sixth Executive Order (the “Order”) in history formally prohibiting the acquisition of a U.S. business by a foreign person, pursuant to the authorities that allow the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS” or the “Committee”) to review foreign mergers and ...

March 4, 2020, Covington Alert

Filing fees — one of the long awaited (and dreaded) innovations of the 2018 Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA) that has transformed the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) — have finally arrived. For more than 30 years, transactions could be submitted to CFIUS for review without a fee payable to the federal ...

January 17, 2020

WASHINGTON—Covington represented Piramal Enterprises Limited in itsdefinitive agreement to sell Decision Resources Group to Clarivate Analytics plc, in a deal valued at $950 million. The $950 million purchase price includes $900 million in cash and approximately $50 million in Clarivate ordinary shares to be issued following the one-year anniversary of ...

January 14, 2020, Covington Alert

The institutional transformation of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS” or “the Committee”) that commenced more than two years ago with the introduction in Congress of the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA) now is largely complete with the issuance of the highly anticipated final regulations implementing ...

December 9, 2019

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS” or the “Committee”) released its Annual Report to Congress regarding foreign acquisitions of U.S. businesses reviewed by CFIUS in 2016 and 2017, a combined report covering the final year of the Obama administration and the first of the Trump administration. The report also reflects the crucial ...

November 22, 2019

WASHINGTON—Law360 has named seven Covington lawyers as MVPs, third most among all firms, in their respective practice areas. The awards single out lawyers from across numerous practice areas based on their success in high-stakes litigation, complex global matters, and record-breaking deals. The Covington lawyers recognized as Law360 MVPs are: Thomas ...

April 2020

  For over 30 years, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS” or the “Committee”) focused on a narrow subset of M&A transactions and investments. That era is coming to an end.  Covington is monitoring developments:  CFIUS Publishes Final Rule Governing Mandatory Filing Requirements for Critical Technology Businesses, Covington ...

September 27, 2019

Last week the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS” or the “Committee”) issued its proposed final regulations (“Regulations”) to implement its expanded authorities under the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 (“FIRRMA”). In doing so, CFIUS bifurcated the rulemaking process, proposing one set of regulations to govern ...

September 24, 2019

This briefing discussed proposed CFIUS reform regulations to implement the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA).

September 20, 2019

For over 30 years, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS” or the “Committee”) focused on a narrow subset of M&A transactions and investments. That era is coming to an end. On Tuesday of this past week, CFIUS issued its anticipated proposed final regulations (“Regulations”) to implement the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization ...

September 17, 2019, Reuters

Mark Plotkin is quoted in Reuters regarding U.S. Treasury’s announcement that it will introduce new regulations expanding the powers of the Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS) to further scrutinize foreign investments involving sensitive technology, infrastructure, personal data, and real estate.   Mr. Plotkin pointed out that many CFIUS watchers had ...

September 17, 2019, The New York Times

Mark Plotkin spoke with The New York Times about U.S. Treasury’s announcement that it will introduce new regulations expanding the powers of the Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS) to further scrutinize foreign investments involving sensitive technology, infrastructure, personal data, and real estate.   Mr. Plotkin said that the proposed rules were ...

September 17, 2019, Financial Times

Mark Plotkin is quoted in the Financial Times regarding U.S. Treasury’s announcement that it will introduce new regulations expanding the powers of the Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS) to further scrutinize foreign investments involving sensitive technology, infrastructure, personal data, and real estate. Mr. Plotkin says, “The regulations reflect ...

September 10, 2019

The U.S. Department of the Treasury is expected to issue soon proposed regulations implementing the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (“FIRRMA”), legislation enacted in August 2018 that reformed the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS” or the “Committee”). FIRRMA transformed CFIUS’s authorities, but many of the most ...

July 22, 2019

NEW YORK—Covington advised Bayer in a definitive agreement to sell the Dr. Scholl’s™ business to Yellow Wood Partners for a purchase price of $585 million. Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to benefit people by supporting efforts to overcome the ...

July 16, 2019, Financial Times

Mark Plotkin is quoted in the Financial Times regarding the increasing demand for lawyers with CFIUS experience. Mr. Plotkin says, “With CFIUS it is not like you can pick up the book and know what you are doing. The law is not that complicated and it is reasonably straightforward, but there’s no body of cases.”

July 12, 2019

PALO ALTO—Covington advised Argo AI, LLC, a technology platform company that is working with leading automakers to deliver a fully integrated self-driving system, in the deal announced today with Volkswagen AG and Ford Motor Company. Volkswagen will be making a $2.6 billion investment, becoming Argo AI’s second investor and building upon a $1 billion investment ...

May 16, 2019, Covington Alert

We are writing to provide an update on two important developments in U.S. national security-based regulation of trade: (1) a new, potentially expansive Executive Order on information and communications technology supply into the U.S. market, and (2) the Department of Commerce’s action to add Huawei to the Entity List.

May 13, 2019

NEW YORK—Covington advised Bayer in a definitive agreement to sell its Coppertone™ business to Beiersdorf AG, a provider of skin care products, for $550 million. Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to benefit people by supporting efforts to overcome ...

May 7, 2019, Covington Alert

We are writing to provide an update on the current trends and operations of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS” or the “Committee”). Approximately nine months after the enactment of the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 (“FIRRMA”) and six months into the Critical Technology Pilot Program (“the Pilot ...

March 2019, The American Lawyer

The American Lawyer has recognized Covington in its 2019 Dealmakers of Year.

March 27, 2019

WASHINGTON—The American Lawyer has recognized Covington among its 2019 “Dealmakers of the Year.” The annual feature highlights “the lawyers behind the most significant work” in deal making, and this marks the second time the firm has received this distinction in the last three years. In March 2018, Covington helped Qualcomm, Inc. secure a U.S. Presidential ...

January 30, 2019

PALO ALTO—Covington advised South Korea-based SK Holdings in its $100 million investment in Kinestral Technologies, Inc. The Series D funding round was led by SK Holdings and included existing Kinestral investors like 5AM Ventures, Alexandria Real Estate, Capricorn Investment Group, and Versant Ventures.  Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Kinestral ...

December 5, 2018, Covington Alert

Earlier this year Congress passed and President Trump signed the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (“FIRRMA”), transformational legislation reforming the operations of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”).

October 11, 2018, Covington Alert

Summary On October 10, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, as chair of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”), issued interim rules (the “Interim Rules”) that update the CFIUS regulations to address certain definitional and procedural aspects of the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (“FIRRMA”) and, for the first time, ...

September 5, 2018, Covington Alert

This client alert summarizes recent regulatory developments relating to fintech and discusses the implications of these developments.

August 13, 2018, Covington Alert

Earlier today, President Donald Trump signed into law the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA) as part of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act. As we have previously reported, FIRRMA will transform the jurisdiction, authority, and operation of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Our previous ...

July 25, 2018, Covington Alert

Summary  For over a year, we have reported to our clients as the U.S. government considered and developed legislation that would fundamentally reform the operations of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). That effort has been driven by concerns about risks arising from evolving foreign investment composition and business ...

June 27, 2018, Covington Alert

We write to report on two important developments regarding the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA), a bi-partisan effort to reform the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), and the broader policy debate within the U.S. government on regulatory mechanisms to address foreign investment, particularly from China. On June ...

June 13, 2018

WASHINGTON—On June 9, 2018, Genworth Financial, Inc. ("Genworth") announced that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States ("CFIUS") had cleared its $2.7 billion acquisition by China Oceanwide. Covington represented Genworth in securing CFIUS approval, which is the largest China-related transaction approved in the Trump Administration. Reuters ...

May 23, 2018, Covington Alert

Summary We are writing to report the latest developments related to legislative reform of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”). On Tuesday, May 22, 2018, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs (“Senate Banking Committee” or “SBC”) held a markup of S. 2098—the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act ...

May 16, 2018, Covington Alert

We are writing to report on the current status of the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (“FIRRMA”), legislation to reform the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS” or the “Committee”). FIRRMA, a bill introduced by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) in the Senate and Congressman Robert Pittenger (R-NC) in the House, seeks to ...

May 8, 2018, Covington Alert

It has been publicly reported that the Trump Administration is considering invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to further regulate—and in certain areas potentially preclude—Chinese direct investment in the United States, beyond the authorities exercised by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). The prospect ...

April 30, 2018, Covington Alert

We are writing to report on the latest Congressional hearing related to reform of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”). On April 26, 2018, the Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce (the “Subcommittee”) held an open hearing entitled “Perspectives on Reform of the CFIUS ...

April 17, 2018, Covington Alert

We are writing to report on the latest Congressional hearing related to reform of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”). On April 12, 2018, the Monetary Policy and Trade Subcommittee of the House Committee on Financial Services (the “Subcommittee”) held an open hearing entitled “H.R. 4311, the Foreign Investment Risk Review ...

March 16, 2018, Covington Alert

Summary We are writing to report on the latest Congressional hearings related to reform of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”) and potential efforts to enhance and reform the U.S. export control regime. Specifically, on March 14, 2018, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs (“House Foreign Affairs Committee” or “HFAC”) held an ...

March 15, 2018

WASHINGTON—Covington secured a U.S. Presidential order compelling Broadcom Limited to “immediately and permanently abandon” its proposed hostile takeover of its client Qualcomm, Inc. The order was based on findings by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) that Broadcom's takeover "threatens to impair the national security of the United ...

March 8, 2018, Covington Alert

On February 15, 2018, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) introduced bipartisan legislation—the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (“ECRA”)⸺to modernize U.S. export control regulation of commercial and dual-use items.

January 26, 2018, Covington Alert

We are writing to report on the latest significant developments in the effort to reform the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”). On January 25, 2018, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs (“Senate Banking Committee” or “Committee”) held an open hearing entitled “CFIUS Reform: Administration Perspectives on the ...

January 22, 2018, Covington Alert

On January 18, 2018, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs (“the Committee”) held a hearing to consider the Foreign Investment Risk Review Management Act (FIRRMA), a bill introduced by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) in the Senate and Congressman Robert Pittenger (R-NC) in the House to reform the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United ...

January 11, 2018, Covington Alert

We are writing to share our report of two Congressional hearings held this week that are relevant to the ongoing legislative discussion concerning potential reform of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).

December 20, 2017

WASHINGTON—Law360 has named four Covington partners as MVPs in their respective practice areas. The awards single out lawyers from across numerous practice areas based on their success in high-stakes litigation, complex global matters, and record-breaking deals. The Covington lawyers recognized as Law360 MVPs are: Ray Biagini, Government Contracts. Mr. ...

December 15, 2017, Covington Alert

We write to offer our perspective on two developments relevant to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”).

December 14, 2017, Law360

Mark Plotkin was named a 2017 International Trade MVP by Law360. The publication highlights his CFIUS-related work, noting that he secured "U.S. government approval for a litany of billion-dollar overseas transactions with sensitive security implications" over the past year.

November 8, 2017, Covington Alert

Earlier today, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), the second-highest-ranking Republican in the Senate, introduced a bill to reform the authority and operation of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”). The bill is co-sponsored by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), the Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on ...

October 25, 2017, CNBC

Mark Plotkin is quoted in a CNBC article regarding new legislation that would create tougher guidelines for foreign investment in the U.S. "Having been briefed on earlier versions of the proposal, I think that the current draft is substantially improved," says Plotkin. "It clearly reflects careful coordination and discussion among various stakeholders in the ...

September 22, 2017, Law360

Mark Plotkin is quoted in a Law360 article providing key takeaways from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) annual report. According to Plotkin, “The increase in the number of investigations in 2015 I think foreshadows what has become a trend of increased tightening and scrutiny by CFIUS over the last few years that accelerated in ...

September 21, 2017, Covington Alert

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”) this week released its long-awaited Annual Report to Congress regarding foreign acquisitions of U.S. businesses reviewed by CFIUS in 2015. The report provides important data that yields insights into the types of transactions the Committee reviewed and the Committee’s treatment of those ...

September 14, 2017, Covington Alert

We are writing to provide our perspective on two significant developments involving the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”).

September 8, 2017, Covington Alert

On August 18, 2017, the General Office of China’s State Council released to the public new guidance regarding the regulation of outbound investment. The guidance is set forth in a notice, dated August 4, 2017, forwarding “guiding opinions” (the “Opinions”) from the National Development and Reform Commission (“NDRC”), Ministry of Commerce (“MOFCOM”), People's ...

June 23, 2017, Covington Alert

We are writing to provide our perspective on recent developments regarding the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”), including the plans of Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) to introduce significant legislation to reform CFIUS, and the operation of CFIUS in the first six months of the administration of President Donald Trump.

March 9, 2017, CBS News

Mark Plotkin is quoted in a CBS News article regarding Rosneft’s potential right to claim an ownership stake in U.S. oil company Citgo Petroleum. Commenting on the CFIUS process and whether committee members with potential conflicts have recused themselves, Plotkin says, “We don’t know because of the nature of the CFIUS process, which is confidential.”

February 28, 2017

WASHINGTON—Covington represented semiconductor manufacturer Intersil Corporation in its $3.2 billion sale to Japan’s Renesas Electronics Corporation. The firm advised Intersil on aspects of the transaction involving Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI), trade controls, and government ...

February 23, 2017, China Daily

China Daily highlights Covington’s client alert, CFIUS and Foreign Direct Investment Under President Donald Trump, in an article regarding efforts by lawmakers to strengthen the government’s scrutiny of Chinese investment in the U.S. According to the CFIUS Practice Group alert, "while the legislative landscape in the new Congress is still being defined, there is ...

February 21, 2017, The Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal highlights Covington’s client alert, CFIUS and Foreign Direct Investment Under President Donald Trump, in an article regarding efforts by lawmakers to strengthen the government’s scrutiny of Chinese investment in the U.S. According to the CFIUS Practice Group alert, there is "a greater chance now than at any time in the last decade of ...

February 3, 2017, Covington Alert

Throughout his campaign, President Donald Trump promised to curtail financial regulations, particularly those promulgated under the Dodd-Frank Act. President Trump argued frequently that the regulations issued under the act have proven overly burdensome and, among other things, limited job growth. This afternoon, the President took his first formal step in ...

January 11, 2017, Covington Alert

Late last week, a group of technology industry leaders, researchers, and former policymakers comprising the President’s Council on Science and Technology (“PCAST”) issued a report entitled Ensuring Long-Term U.S. Leadership in Semiconductors. The report concludes that China is seeking to reshape the global semiconductor industry in a manner that threatens U.S. ...

December 5, 2016, Covington Alert

Acting on the recommendation of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”), President Barack Obama issued an Executive Order on Friday, December 2, prohibiting the acquisition of the U.S. business of Aixtron SE (“Aixtron”) by a company ultimately owned by investors in China. This is the first time that a President formally has utilized ...

August 23, 2016, The Wall Street Journal

Mark Plotkin is quoted in a Wall Street Journal article following CFIUS approval of ChemChina’s planned purchase of Syngenta. According to Plotkin, “Chinese investments in the United States often attract close scrutiny not only from CFIUS but also from the media, the Congress and industry competitors, all of whom have different agendas.”

August 22, 2016, Market Talk

Mark Plotkin is quoted by Market Talk commenting on the CFIUS process following approval of the ChemChina-Syngenta deal. According to Plotkin, “At both the staff and political levels, CFIUS has been careful to separate simple China-bashing and economic self-interest from true national security considerations.” He continues, “There are many designated fora for ...

May 31, 2016

WASHINGTON—Chambers USA has selected Covington for its 2016 Award for Excellence in International Trade. The Award for Excellence in International Trade is presented at Chambers USA’s annual awards dinner and awarded to one law firm. The award coincides with the release of the Chambers USA 2016 guidebook, in which Covington received a top-tier ranking nationally ...

May 10, 2016, Covington Alert

On May 5, 2016, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) issued its long-awaited final rule on beneficial ownership with respect to customer due diligence requirements. The final rule requires covered financial institutions to adopt due diligence procedures to identify and verify a legal entity customer’s beneficial owner(s) at the time a new account ...

March 28, 2016

WASHINGTON, DC - The American Lawyer has named Covington partners Mark Plotkin and David Fagan as “Dealmakers of the Year.” The annual feature showcases “the lawyers behind the most significant work” in dealmaking. In its profile of Mr. Plotkin and Mr. Fagan in the magazine’s April 2016 issue, The American Lawyer praises the pair’s strategy that steered ...

February 25, 2016, Reuters

Mark Plotkin is quoted in this Reuters article discussing the CFIUS approval process of Chinese acquisitions and investments. According to Plotkin, advisors will often seek to gauge their chances for CFIUS approval before the deal is announced to avoid the embarrassment and cost of announcing a deal that is later halted. He adds, “The CFIUS process is going to ...

February 22, 2016, Covington Alert

February 18, 2016, The Wall Street Journal

Mark Plotkin is quoted in this Wall Street Journal article discussing the scrutiny that Chinese acquisitions will receive from U.S. regulators. According to Plotkin, "Given the amount of state ownership of Chinese companies, together with the history of espionage between our countries and U.S. concerns about the potential appropriation and proliferation of ...

November 25, 2015

WASHINGTON, DC, November 25, 2015 - Law360 has named four Covington partners as MVPs in their respective practice areas. The awards single out lawyers from across 31 practice areas based on their success in high-stakes litigation, record-breaking deals, and complex global matters. The Covington lawyers recognized as Law360 MVPs are: Ray Biagini, ...

September 17, 2015

SHANGHAI, September 17, 2015—China Law & Practice named Covington "International Firm of the Year - Life Sciences" at its annual awards ceremony. The leading Chinese legal publication also named Hui Xu a "Rising Star" in regulatory and compliance law and recognized the firm for its role in its "Deal of the Year," Lenovo’s acquisition of IBM's server ...

June 24, 2015

WASHINGTON, DC, June 24, 2015  — Covington partner Mark E. Plotkin has been named to The National Law Journal’s list of 45 Regulatory and Compliance Trailblazers. The list recognizes lawyers who have “made a difference navigating the ever-changing mandates of regulatory and compliance.” Mr. Plotkin, co-chair of Covington’s national security and defense industry ...

May 22, 2015

NEW YORK, May 22, 2015  — Covington advised European telecommunications company Altice S.A. (Euronext ATC) in a $9.1 billion deal to acquire a controlling stake in Suddenlink, the seventh largest cable operator in the U.S.  Under the terms of the agreement, Altice will enter the U.S. cable television and broadband market by acquiring 70 percent of the share ...

August 22, 2014

WASHINGTON, DC, August 22, 2014 — The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has cleared Lenovo Group’s bid to acquire International Business Machines’ x86-based server business in a $2.3 billion acquisition. Covington & Burling represented Lenovo in securing CFIUS approval. David Fagan, Mark Plotkin, Stuart Eizenstat and Jonathan Wakely ...

August 18, 2014

WASHINGTON, DC, August 18, 2014 — Best Lawyers named Covington & Burling’s Stuart Eizenstat and Gregg Levy each a 2015 “Lawyer of the Year” in international trade and sports law, respectively, citing their “abilities, professionalism and integrity.” Overall, Covington lawyers received 217 individual mentions in 58 areas of law in the newly released annual survey ...

July 21, 2014, Global Policy Watch

On July 14, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit decided Ralls Corporation v. Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States — the first ruling by a federal circuit court on a CFIUS case.  Ralls, a U.S. company owned by two Chinese nationals, sued CFIUS in connection with an order by...… Continue Reading

July 18, 2014, Covington E-Alert

July 16, 2014, Financial Times

Covington's Mark Plotkin is quoted regarding a court ruling allowing a Chinese-owned company to obtain evidence on why its bid for wind farms was rejected. “In a broad way, it does call into question the invulnerability of judicial review,” said Mark Plotkin, a partner at law firm Covington & Burling. “It shows that Congress can never legislate away the ...

June 26, 2014

WASHINGTON, DC, June 26, 2014 — The Legal 500 U.S. has ranked Covington & Burling in its top tier in eight practice areas and recognized 23 individual attorneys as “Leading Lawyers” in the directory’s 2014 edition. Additionally, Legal 500 “recommended” 42 Covington practice areas and 153 Covington lawyers. The eight Covington practices given the top tier ranking ...

May 19, 2014, The Wall Street Journal

Covington's Alan Larson and Mark Plotkin are quoted regarding Chinese investment in U.S. infrastructure

April 15, 2014, Covington E-Alert

April 13, 2014, The Wall Street Journal

Covington partner Mark Plotkin is quoted regarding the proposal from Russia's biggest oil producer, OAO Rosneft, which is state-controlled, to purchase Morgan Stanley's oil-trading unit, which needs U.S. government approval by the Committee on Foreign Investment: "If it's turned down, it could look like they're bending to political will. I think it's a bad case ...

February 20, 2014

WASHINGTON, DC, February 20, 2014 — Law360 named Covington & Burling partner Mark Plotkin as a “most valuable player” in international trade law. Law360’s “MVP of the Year” award recognizes attorneys who had “extraordinary wins and contributed most to their practice area” in the past year. In a profile on Mr. Plotkin, Law360 recognized him as “one of the ...

December 20, 2013, Covington E-Alert

December 6, 2013

WASHINGTON, DC, December 6, 2013 — BBYO, the world’s oldest and largest Jewish youth organization, honored Covington & Burling Partner Mark Plotkin with its Phil Berg Distinguished Alumni Award yesterday during its ninth annual celebration held in Potomac, Maryland. Mr. Plotkin was recognized for his exceptional leadership, professional accomplishments and ...

November 21, 2013

WASHINGTON, DC, November 21, 2013 — Washingtonian magazine has named 34 Covington & Burling attorneys as “Best Lawyers” in its December issue. The biennial list, compiled by the magazine’s editorial staff, identifies leading lawyers in the Washington area. Of the hundreds of “Best Lawyers” identified in the issue, Washingtonian spotlights 14 leading Washington ...

October 25, 2013, Covington Advisory

9/27/2013

WASHINGTON, DC, September 27, 2013 — Marisa Lago, assistant secretary for international markets and development at the U.S. Treasury Department, addressed a symposium held at Covington & Burling earlier in September about trends in Chinese foreign direct investment in America. The symposium, co-hosted with the China General Chamber of Commerce, examined the ...

June 7, 2013

WASHINGTON, DC, June 7, 2013 — The Legal 500 U.S. has ranked Covington & Burling as a top tier firm in six practice areas and recognized 21 individual attorneys as “Leading Lawyers” in the directory’s 2013 edition. Additionally, Legal 500 “recommended” 38 Covington practice areas and 148 Covington lawyers. The six Covington practices given the top tier ranking ...

May 10, 2013

WASHINGTON, DC, May 10, 2013 — Covington & Burling partner Mark Plotkin testified before the Congressionally-chartered U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission on May 9 regarding the current state of national security laws and policies governing Chinese direct investment in the United States. In his testimony, Mr. Plotkin explained that existing law is ...

February 14, 2013, Covington Advisory

2/13/2013

WASHINGTON, DC, February 13, 2013 — The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) on Tuesday approved CNOOC Ltd.’s bid to acquire the U.S. assets of Canadian energy company Nexen Inc. It was the final regulatory hurdle in the $15.1 billion acquisition, the largest overseas investment ever by a Chinese company. Covington & Burling represented ...

December 27, 2012, Covington E-Alert

October 1, 2012, Covington E-Alert

August 27, 2012

WASHINGTON, DC, August 27, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP lawyers received 196 individual mentions in 57 areas of law in the 2013 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top U.S. lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as ...

August 14, 2012

WASHINGTON, DC, August 14, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP has received a top tier ranking in six practice areas and 18 individual attorneys are named “Leading Lawyers” in the recently released Legal 500 US 2012 edition. Additionally, Legal 500 US also “recommended” 36 Covington practice areas and 123 Covington lawyers. The six Covington practices given the top ...

May 2, 2012

WASHINGTON, DC, May 2, 2012 — D.C. Super Lawyers selected 64 Covington & Burling lawyers for its 2012 list of top legal talent. Super Lawyers selects no more than five percent of the total lawyers who practice in Washington based on peer review and the publication’s independent research. Deborah Garza and Robert Long have been named among the “Top 100” for ...

April 16, 2012, Main Justice

Mark Plotkin participated in an interview with the publication on the review process for investments from Korea undertaken by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.

March 19, 2012

LONDON, 19 March, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP received 46 individual mentions and 20 practice mentions in the Chambers Global 2012 edition. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers globally by pan-regional and country practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. The Covington lawyers ...

2012, Regulation of Foreign Banks and Affiliates in the United States

2012, Regulation of Foreign Banks and Affiliates in the United States

December 13, 2011, Covington E-Alert

November 30, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC, November 30, 2011 — Washingtonian magazine has named 34 Covington & Burling attorneys as “Best Lawyers” in its December issue. The biennial list, compiled by the magazine’s editorial staff, identifies leading lawyers in the Washington area. Of the approximately 800 “Best Lawyers” identified in the issue, Washingtonian included profiles of 31 ...

September 7, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC, September 7, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP lawyers received 184 individual mentions in 56 areas of law in the 2012 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: ...

6/10/2011

WASHINGTON, DC, June 10, 2011 — In presenting Covington & Burling LLP with the Chambers USA Award for Excellence in International Trade on June 9th, Chambers noted how the firm’s “comprehensive team covers the complete spectrum of international trade matters and clients benefit from the close-knit and interdisciplinary approach of the department's various ...

June 10, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC, June 10, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP received 123 individual mentions and 45 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2011. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...

June 9, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC, June 10, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP received 92 individual mentions and 32 practice mentions in the Legal 500 US 2011 edition.  Legal 500 reviews the strengths and strategies of law firms in more than 90 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North and South America, and the Caribbean. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...

June 7, 2011, Covington E-Alert

May 17, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC, May 17, 2011 — D.C. Super Lawyers selected 55 Covington & Burling lawyers for its 2011 list of top legal talent. Super Lawyers selects no more than five percent of the total lawyers who practice in Washington based on peer review and the publication’s independent research. Deborah Garza has been named among the “Top 50 Women,” and Robert Long ...

May 6, 2011, Covington E-Alert

April 7, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC, April 7, 2011 — Three practices at Covington & Burling LLP have been nominated for the 2011 Chambers USA Awards for Excellence. The firm received team nominations in the antitrust, insurance, and international trade categories. The awards recognize the firm’s pre-eminence in key practice areas and significant achievements over the past 12 months, ...

March 29, 2011, Covington E-Alert

February 18, 2011, Covington E-Alert

December 14, 2010, Covington E-Alert

December 7, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC, December 7, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP is pleased to announce that Edward Yingling, President and CEO of the American Bankers Association (ABA), will be joining the firm as a partner. His practice will focus on advising financial institutions on regulatory, transactional, enforcement, and legislative matters, with particular emphasis on ...

August 6, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC, August 6, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP received 138 individual mentions in 40 areas of law in the 2011 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: Administrative: ...

June 23, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC, June 23, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP received 85 individual mentions and 23 practice mentions in the Legal 500 US 2010 edition. Legal 500 reviews the strengths and strategies of law firms in more than 90 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North and South America, and the Caribbean. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...

June 16, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC, June 16, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP received 112 individual mentions and 44 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2010. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...

June 7, 2010, Columbia FDI Perspective

May 13, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC, May 13, 2010 — Montreal-based CGI Group Inc. has announced an agreement to acquire Stanley Inc., headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, in a transaction valued at $1.07 billion. Covington & Burling LLP is advising Stanley on the national security and export control aspects of the transaction. Stanley is a provider of information technology ...

April 21, 2010, Covington Advisory

March 19, 2010, Covington E-Alert

March 18, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC, March 18, 2010 — Forty-five Covington & Burling LLP lawyers are recognized in the 2010 Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers. The annual list by Super Lawyers selects only five percent of the total lawyers who practice in Washington based on peer review and the publication’s independent research. In addition, partners Deborah Garza and Robert Long have ...

March 12, 2010, Covington E-Alert

March 8, 2010, Covington E-Alert

11/23/2009

WASHINGTON, DC, November 23, 2009 — Twenty-five Covington & Burling LLP attorneys are recognized as “Top Lawyers” in the December issue of Washingtonian magazine. The list, compiled by the magazine’s editorial staff, identifies leading lawyers in the Washington area. Of the “Top Lawyers,” Washingtonian identified 30 as “stars of the bar.” Among them is Michael ...

October 23, 2009, Covington E-Alert

October 2009, Covington Report

September 2009, India Business Law Journal

August 7, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC, August 7, 2009 — Covington & Burling LLP received 131 individual mentions in 38 areas of law in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: Administrative: ...

July 29, 2009, Covington E-Alert

July 2, 2009, Covington E-Alert

June 29, 2009, Covington E-Alert

June 17, 2009, Covington E-Alert

June 12, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC, June 12, 2009 — Covington & Burling LLP received 100 individual mentions and 40 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2009. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...

June 10, 2009, Covington E-Alert

May 21, 2009, Covington E-Alert

April 27, 2009, Covington E-Alert

March 27, 2009, Covington E-Alert

March 24, 2009, Covington E-Alert

February 26, 2009, Covington E-Alert

February 26, 2009, Covington E-Alert

February 18, 2009, Covington E-Alert

February 17, 2009, Covington E-Alert

February 10, 2009, Covington E-Alert

February 5, 2009, Covington E-Alert

January/February 2009, America in Russia

January 29, 2009, Legal Week

January 16, 2009, Covington E-Alert

January 15, 2009, Covington E-Alert

January 14, 2009, Shanghai Daily

January 7, 2009, Vale Columbia Center

January 5, 2009, Covington E-Alert

December 19, 2008, Covington E-Alert

December 2, 2008, Covington E-Alert

December 2008, The Financial Regulator

December 1, 2008, Covington E-Alert

November 25, 2008, Covington E-Alert

November 24, 2008, Covington E-Alert

November 18, 2008, Covington E-Alert

November 17, 2008, The Yale Law Journal Pocket Part

November 16, 2008, Covington Advisory

November 12, 2008, Covington E-Alert

October 21, 2008, Covington E-Alert

October 20, 2008, Covington E-Alert

October 15, 2008, Covington E-Alert

October 14, 2008, Covington E-Alert

October 8, 2008, Covington E-Alert

October 3, 2008, Covington E-Alert

September 30, 2008, Covington E-Alert

September 29, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC, September 29, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP received 124 individual mentions in 40 areas of law in the 2009 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: Administrative: ...

September 29, 2008, Covington E-Alert

September 23, 2008, Covington E-Alert

September 23, 2008, Covington E-Alert

September 23, 2008, Covington E-Alert

8/21/2008

WASHINGTON, DC, August 21, 2008 — Borealis Infrastructure Management and GIC Special Investments announced on August 13 an agreement to invest approximately $1.254 billion in Dallas-based Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC. Covington & Burling LLP advised Energy Future Holdings Corp. (EFH), the parent company of Oncor, on the Committee on Foreign Investment in ...

8/7/2008

WASHINGTON, DC, August 7, 2008 — On August 5, Intercell AG completed its acquisition of Iomai Corporation (now known as Intercell USA, Inc.) in a deal that will create a leading traveler’s vaccine portfolio. Covington & Burling LLP advised Intercell on the transaction. Intercell is a growing biotechnology company which focuses on the design and development of ...

August 2008, ABA Journal

Mr. Plotkin is featured in this article.

July 2008, Covington E-Alert

June 16, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC, June 16, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP received 81 individual mentions and 45 practice mentions in the newly released 2008 Chambers USA. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington ...

June 12, 2008, Covington E-Alert

June 2008, The Financial Regulator

February 28, 2008, BNA's Privacy & Security Law

September 6, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC, September 6, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP received 115 individual mentions in 38 areas of law in the 2008 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The recipients are as follows: Administrative: E. Edward Bruce and ...

June 29, 2007, Covington E-Alert

June 18, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC, June 18, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP received 44 practice mentions and 74 individual mentions in the newly released 2007 Chambers USA guidebook. The 2007 edition of Chambers USA attempts to identify the most skilled legal practitioners throughout the country based on the qualities most valued by clients. Covington attorneys have been ...

December 2006, The Privacy & Data Protection Legal Reporter

Fall 2006, Bloomberg Corporate Law Journal

May 8, 2006, Covington E-Alert

February 6, 2006, 86 BNA: Banking Report 291

February 1, 2006, in Monograph on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (Critical Infrastructure Protection Program, George Mason University School of Law)

January 27, 2006, Covington E-Alert

1/5/2006, Covington E-Alert

November 2005, 1 The Privacy & Data Protection Legal Reporter 1

Fall 2005, ABANA Review

June 2005, China Law & Practice

March 16, 2005, Covington E-Alert

July 15, 2004, Covington E-Alert

March 12, 2004, Covington Report

May 13, 2003, Covington Report

January 2003, chapter in E-Commerce Law & Business (2 vols.), Aspen Publishers

November 2002, 46 Security Management 57

August 28, 2002, BNA Corporate Counsel Weekly, Vol. 17, No. 34, pp. 272 et seq.

August 19, 2002, National Law Journal p. C15

11/21/2001, World eBusiness Law Report

September 11, 2001, World eBusiness Law Report

June 19, 2001, World eBusiness Law Report

2001, 21st Annual Institute on Computer Law, Course Handbook, Practising Law Institute

July 3, 2000, Covington Alert

April 3, 2000, Legal Times at 36

April 2000, Corporate Finance 40

February 14, 2000, Legal Times

February 2000, 14 Journal of International Banking Law 42

March 1, 1999, Legal Times at S31

1998, 12 Journal of International Banking Law 459

January 1995, 11 The Review of Banking & Financial Services 1

October 1994, 9 J. Int'l Banking L. 402

Fall 1994, 7 Government Policy Consultants Canadian Fin. Institutions Q. 34