Subscribe

  • How Can We Help You?

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

Williams_Josh_1000x714_ENV

Joshua N. Williams

Partner

Washington +1 202 662 5618

  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Josh Williams helps clients assess and manage the impact of U.S. economic sanctions and export controls on their global operations. He has deep expertise in the economic sanctions laws and regulations administered and enforced by the U.S. Treasury Department and State Department, and in the export control laws and regulations administered and enforced by the U.S. Commerce Department, State Department, and Census Bureau.

    Josh advises leading U.S. and non-U.S. companies across a range of industries, including companies operating in the energy, financial services, pharmaceutical, technology, aerospace and defense, telecommunications, consulting, and consumer products sectors.

    Josh regularly assists clients with complex trade controls compliance, enforcement, licensing, and transactional matters. He also has significant experience leading trade controls risk assessments and counseling companies seeking to develop or strengthen their compliance programs.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters
    • Provides frequent advice to multinational banks, energy companies, consulting firms, pharmaceutical companies, tech companies, and others on compliance with the full range of U.S. economic sanctions programs, including the U.S. sanctions against Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, and Venezuela.
    • Represented two different global energy companies in the successful resolution of enforcement matters before the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) relating to potential violations of the U.S. sanctions against Cuba, Iran, Russia, and Crimea.
    • Counseled a large U.S. pharmaceutical company on an internal investigation and voluntary disclosure to OFAC regarding potential violations of the U.S. sanctions against Iran.
    • Supported a large U.S. aerospace and defense company on entry into a Consent Agreement with the U.S. State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC).
    • Advises a different U.S. aerospace and defense company on implementation of a Consent Agreement with DDTC, with a focus on the application of the Consent Agreement to acquisitions and divestitures.
    • Assisted multiple U.S. defense contractors with voluntary disclosures to DDTC and the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in connection with potential violations of the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR.)
    • Leads an export controls risk assessment and compliance program development project for a large non-U.S. energy company based in Asia.
    • Conducted export controls and sanctions compliance program assessments for a leading U.S.-based technology company and a European energy company.
    • Led sanctions risk assessment for the maritime business of a global mining company.
    • Developed trade controls compliance policies and procedures for several clients in the aerospace, consumer goods, energy, and financial services sectors.
    • Conducted training for an international financial institution on requirements of U.S. sanctions programs.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • The George Washington University Law School, J.D., 2012
        • with highest honors
        • Order of the Coif
        • George Washington Law Review
    • Middlebury College, B.A., 2004
        • Phi Beta Kappa
    Bar Admissions
    • District of Columbia
    • Massachusetts
    Government Experience
    • U.S. Department of State
    • U.S. Senate
    Pro Bono
    • Represents a prominent not-for-profit corporation that supports democratic institutions and practices around the world.
    • Counseled prominent gun safety organization regarding legislative and litigation strategies for opposing pending gun legislation.
    • Served as guardian ad litem for a minor child in a custody dispute in D.C. Superior Court.
    Accolades
    • Department of State Superior Honor Award (2010)
    Previous Experience
    • Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs (2009-2010)
    • Legislative Aide to Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (2006-2008)
    • Junior Fellow and Research Assistant for Nonproliferation, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (2004-2006)

    Areas of Expertise

News and Insights

Events