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- Home
- Professionals
- Mark E. Plotkin
Mark Plotkin — broadly recognized as one of the nation’s preeminent regulatory advocates — represents clients before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and other branches of the U.S. government. He delivers outstanding results for global clients across industries. Mr. Plotkin’s practice includes having negotiated some of the most challenging compliance and security agreements ever concluded with the U.S. Government – agreements that in many instances now are the template for the relevant industries.
Clients refer to him as "the dean of the CFIUS Bar" with an "unmatched history, experience and network" (Chambers USA). The American Lawyer has twice honored Mr. Plotkin as "Dealmaker of the Year"— in 2016 for his role securing CFIUS clearance for GlobalFoundries’ multibillion dollar acquisition of IBM’s semiconductor unit, and again in 2019 for his team's successful and novel efforts in the CFIUS process to defend Qualcomm from a hostile takeover attempt by Broadcom.
Chambers Global says “Plotkin is widely regarded as one of the top national security attorneys in the USA and has extensive experience in advising industry-leading names before the CFIUS panel." He also is nationally ranked for his expertise in both financial services regulation and data privacy.
Representative Matters
- Nexen Inc. in $15.1 billion sale to China National Offshore Oil Corporation.
- CIT Group in $10.4 billion sale of its aircraft leasing business to Avolon Holdings (China).
- Thomson Reuters in $20 billion sale of a 55% interest in its Financial & Risk business to a consortium of Singapore’s GIC, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Blackstone.
- Deutsche Börse in proposed $9.5 billion acquisition of the New York Stock Exchange.
- Genworth Financial in $2.7 billion acquisition by China Oceanwide.
- KION Group (Germany) in $2.1 billion acquisition of Dematic.
- Micro Focus (UK) in $8.8 billion acquisition of software business of Hewlett Packard Enterprise.
- Intersil Corp. in $2.3 billion acquisition by Renesas Electronics Corp. (Japan).
- Qualcomm in attempted $117 billion acquisition by Broadcom (Singapore).
- Carlyle Group in $1.9 billion sale of Landmark Aviation, Standard Aero to Dubai Aerospace (UAE).
- Washington Gas in $6.4 billion acquisition by AltaGas (Canada).
- Schneider Electric (France) in $5.6 billion acquisition of Invensys plc and $3.8 billion combination with Aveva Group.
- Koch Industries in sale of Invista Advanced Apparel & Textiles business to Shandong Ruyi (China).
- Northrop Grumman in sale of its Viper Strike munitions business to MBDA (EU).
- Temasek Holdings (Singapore) in multi-billion dollar investment in Merrill Lynch.
- Global Crossing in seminal 2003 acquisition by Singapore Technologies Telemedia.
- China Oceanwide in acquisition of International Data Group.
- Abu Dhabi National Energy Company in acquisition of tolling arrangement in the electric power industry.
- Hong Kong Aircraft and Engineering Co. in $388 million acquisition of TIMCO Aviation.
- Singapore Telecommunications Limited in acquisition of Trustwave.
- CNOOC (China) in $3 billion investment in oil and gas properties of Chesapeake Energy.
- Sapient in $3.7 billion acquisition by Publicis Groupe (France).
- Lenovo (China) in $2.3 billion acquisition of IBM’s x86-based server business.
- China Investment Corporation in $1.6 billion investment in AES Corporation.
- IBM in $1.75 billion sale of its PC division to Lenovo, sale of a product lifecycle management software business to Dassault Systèmes, and $850 million sale of its point of sale systems business to Toshiba.
- China National Chemical Corporation in $7.7 billion acquisition of Pirelli.
- Stanley Inc. in $1 billion acquisition by CGI Group (Canada).
- Align Aerospace in private sale to Aviation Industry Corporation of China.
- Borealis Infrastructure in acquisition of Midland Cogeneration Venture and $320 million investment in wind farm assets of Energias de Portugal.
- Dassault Systèmes (France) in $750 million acquisition of Accelrys.
- AOL in sale of ICQ instant messaging business to Mail.ru Group Limited (Russia).
- British Telecommunications plc in multiple transactions.
- American Express in sale of interest in business travel joint venture to Certares LP, Qatar Investment Authority, BlackRock Inc and Macquarie Capital.
- e2v Technologies in acquisition of QP Semiconductor.
- Datascope Corporation in sale of business unit to Mindray Medical Instruments of China.
- Pacific Telecom (Philippines) in acquisitions of Micronesian Telecommunications Corporation and of IT&E Overseas, Inc.
- BAE Systems, Inc. in multiple transactions, including acquisitions of Armor Holdings, Advanced Ceramics Research, Atlantic Marine, IAP Research, the Intelligence Services Group of L-1 Identity Solutions, MTC Technologies, OASYS Technology, Signal Innovation Group, and Eclipse Electronics, and proposed combination with Airbus.
- FastenTech in $492 million acquisition by Doncasters Group.
- EDAC Technologies in $340 million sale of composites business to Meggitt PLC.
- Intercell AG in acquisition of Iomai.
- SemiConductor Devices in acquisition of Quantum Imaging.
Mr. Plotkin is the co-author of numerous articles and book chapters on legal topics as well co-editor of Regulation of Foreign Banks & Affiliates in the United States (Sixth Edition) and editor-in-chief of E-Commerce Law & Business. He has testified before Congress, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, and the Uniform Law Commission.
Mr. Plotkin received his bachelor of arts degree in history, summa cum laude and with departmental honors, from Yale College, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He received his law degree with honors from Harvard Law School, where he was Policy Essays Editor of the Journal on Legislation. Mr. Plotkin previously taught American government at Harvard College. He is an adjunct professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center, where he teaches a seminar on national security law; he also lectures on national security law at Yale Law School and other venues. He is a former Governor of the Association of Yale Alumni and a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Memberships and Affiliations
- Co-Editor and Co-Author, Regulation of Foreign Banks and Affiliates in the United States (West Publishing, 2012)
- Editor-in-Chief and Co-Author, E-Commerce Law and Business (Aspen Publishing, 2003)
- National Eagle Scout Association
- Yale University, Class Secretary
- Harvard Law School, Reunion Chair
- Adjunct Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center
- Berkeley College Fellow
- Sidwell Friends School Development Board (1998-2004)
- Board of Governors, Association of Yale Alumni (2007-2010)
- Harvard College, Teaching Fellow (1984-1986)
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 ...
Seven Covington Lawyers Named Law360 MVPs
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 ...
September 27, 2019, Covington Alert
As we reported previously, 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 ...
The New CFIUS: Regulations Issued to Implement Expanded Authorities
September 24, 2019
This briefing discussed proposed CFIUS reform regulations to implement the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA).
September 20, 2019, Covington Alert
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.
US Moves to Expand Sweep of Foreign Deal Review Powers
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 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 10, 2019, Covington Alert
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”).
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 ...
Demand Grows for Lawyers in Secrective World of CFIUS
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.
Covington Represents Bayer in $550M Sale of Coppertone™
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”).
2019 Dealmakers of the Year
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 ...
Covington Advised SK Holdings in $100M Investment
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).
Four Covington Partners Named Law360 MVPs
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”).
MVP: Covington's Mark Plotkin
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 ...
5 Takeaways From CFIUS' Latest Annual Report
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 ...
Newly-Released CFIUS Annual Report for 2015 Foreshadows Heightened Scrutiny of Foreign Investment
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.
How Russian Oil Giant Rosneft Could Claim U.S. Oil
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 ...
Presidential Report Recommends U.S. Action to Counter Chinese Policies in the Semiconductor Industry
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 ...
Powerful U.S. Panel Clears Chinese Takeover of Syngenta
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.”
Syngenta's Approval Shows Limits of Politics on China
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
Chinese Deal-Making Draws Scrutiny in Washington
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 ...
Four Covington Partners Named Law360 MVPs
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 ...
Mark Plotkin Named a Regulatory & Compliance Trailblazer
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 ...
Covington Secures CFIUS Approval for Lenovo Acquisition
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
Chinese group wins Cfius legal case
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 ...
Covington Receives Top Tier Nods in Legal 500 U.S.
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 ...
Covington’s Plotkin Named Law360 MVP
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 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 ...
Covington Receives Top Tier Nods in Legal 500 U.S.
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 ...
Covington’s Mark Plotkin Testifies Before USCC
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 ...
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 ...
Covington Receives Top Tier Nods in Legal 500 US
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 ...
Covington Lawyers Recognized by D.C. Super Lawyers
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 ...
Covington Looks to ‘Demystify’ CFIUS in South Korea
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
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 ...
Covington Lawyers Recognized by D.C. Super Lawyers
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
Covington Shortlisted for Three Chambers USA Awards
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, ...
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
Washingtonian Names 25 Covington Attorneys ‘Top Lawyers’
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
DOD Policy Guidance for Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence ("FOCI")
October 2009, Covington Report
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 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
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 5, 2009, Covington E-Alert
January 16, 2009, Covington E-Alert
January 15, 2009, Covington E-Alert
January 14, 2009, Shanghai Daily
January 7, 2009, Vale Columbia Center
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 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
September 30, 2008, Covington E-Alert
September 29, 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 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 ...
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 ...
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 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
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)
November 2005, 1 The Privacy & Data Protection Legal Reporter 1
Fall 2005, ABANA Review
June 2005, China Law & Practice
Treasury Final Rules on Verifying Customer Identity for New Accounts
May 13, 2003, Covington Report
August 28, 2002, BNA Corporate Counsel Weekly, Vol. 17, No. 34, pp. 272 et seq.
11/21/2001, World eBusiness Law Report
Steering Clear of the Privacy Safe Harbor - What Next for American Companies and the European Union?
June 19, 2001, World eBusiness Law Report
2001, 21st Annual Institute on Computer Law, Course Handbook, Practising Law Institute
Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act: The Federal E-Sign Bill - An Overview
July 3, 2000, Covington Alert
B2B or Collusion: That Is the Question Antitrust Enforcers Will Ask of Business-to-Business Sites
April 3, 2000, Legal Times at 36
February 14, 2000, Legal Times
February 2000, 14 Journal of International Banking Law 42
March 1, 1999, Legal Times at S31
The New Interstate Banking Act
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
October 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. Covington is monitoring developments: CFIUS's Proposed Regulations to Implement Expanded Jurisdiction Over Real Estate Transactions, Covington Alert, ...
- Am Law Litigation Daily, "Litigators of the Week"
- The American Lawyer, "2019 Dealmakers of the Year"
- The American Lawyer, "2016 Dealmakers of the Year"
- Law360, International Trade MVP (multiple years)
- China Law & Practice, “Outbound Deal of the Year”
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (multiple years)
- Chambers Global (multiple years)
- Best Lawyers in America (multiple years)
- Super Lawyers (multiple years)
- Legal 500 US (multiple years)
- Washingtonian Magazine — Best Lawyers in Washington (multiple years)