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Mike Walsh

Partner
Washington, DC
About

Mike Walsh is a partner in the National Security and Global Trade practice, helping companies execute on strategic priorities involving the intersection of international trade and national security. Prior to joining the firm, Mike served concurrently as chief of staff and acting General Counsel at the United States Department of Commerce.

Mike provides clients with an insider's understanding of the implementation and operationalization of trade, national security, and export control policy. Mike's practice includes advising clients on Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and Outbound Investment Security Program (OISP) issues, export controls, artificial intelligence, Department of Commerce Entity Listings, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) requirements, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions, and forced labor compliance. He also advises US and multinational companies, sovereign wealth funds, private equity funds and venture capital funds on all aspects of inbound U.S. and cross-border investment.

Mike also represents individuals appointed to senior government positions in connection with their ethics disclosure, recusal, and divestiture obligations and provides strategic counseling regarding company and individual interactions with executive branch agencies and Congress, and he represented companies in Congressional investigations covering a wide range of topics including sensitive national security and supply chain issues.

Areas of FocusRegulatory and Government AffairsCorporateEmerging Growth and Venture CapitalLitigation, Arbitration and Investigations
Bar admissionsDistrict of ColumbiaNew YorkTexas
CourtsUnited States District Court for the District of ColumbiaUnited States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia CircuitUnited States District Court for the Southern District of New YorkUnited States District Court for the Eastern District of MichiganUnited States Court of Appeals for the Second CircuitUnited States Court of Federal ClaimsSupreme Court of the United States

EXPERIENCE

  • Counsel to numerous sovereign wealth funds in connection with US acquisitions and investments, artificial intelligence development strategy, and advanced US chip acquisition export control strategy
  • Counsel to European semiconductor company in connection with CFIUS and Outbound Investment Security Program issues
  • Counsel to US artificial intelligence startup company in connection with global export expansion strategy
  • Counsel to multinational manufacturer in connection with Trump Administration tariff monitoring and compliance strategy
  • Counsel to multinational manufacturing and semiconductor companies in connection with export control and Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act compliance issues
  • Counsel to Cabinet and sub-cabinet nominees and appointees to senior US government positions in connection with ethics disclosure and divestiture and Senate hearing preparation
  • Represented a sovereign wealth fund with CFIUS issues associated with venture investments in US technology, biotech, healthcare, life sciences, and entertainment companies
  • Represented a European biotech company with CFIUS, compliance, and regulatory issues regarding US investments
  • Represented a state-owned energy company with CFIUS, sanctions, and compliance issues regarding US investments and acquisitions
  • Represented an Asian eCommerce platform with CFIUS and US regulatory compliance issues
  • Represented a UK-based private equity fund with CFIUS, Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), and US regulatory compliance issues regarding acquisitions of US transportation assets
  • Represented a Japanese biotech company with CFIUS issues regarding US investments
  • Represented numerous US technology companies with CFIUS and other national security considerations when seeking investment from non-US companies
 
Education
  • J.D., Columbia University of Law

  • B.A., Boston College

    magna cum laude

Pro Bono

  • Public Interest law firm on legal issues regarding commercial law development in conflict zones

Seminars

  • Presenter, "Understanding the Basics of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)," Lawline, September 2023
  • Speaker, "Geopolitics and the GC: Steering through Shifting Regulation," Economist Impact's General Counsel Summit US, September 2023
  • Panelist, "Complex-Conflicting-Extraterritorial: Steering Between US and China Sanctions and Export Controls," Sanctions & Export Controls Conference, May 2023
  • Speaker, "Predictions on the Intersection of U.S. Trade and National Security for Multi-National Companies," American Conference Institute London Forum on Global Economic Sanctions, November 2021
 

Prior Experience

Mike previously served concurrently as the Chief of Staff and the Chief Legal Officer at the United States Commerce Department from 2018-2021, where he oversaw more than 600 lawyers and was responsible for all matters within the department. He also served as the Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Commerce, where he played a leading role in numerous issues, including those pertaining to CFIUS, export administration and enforcement, emerging technologies, and supply chain risk management. Mike also managed critical litigation in federal district and appellate courts throughout the country and coordinated the determination of the department's positions on Supreme Court cases.

Mike worked with CEOs, boards of directors, and other executives regarding critical business. He interacted with foreign heads of state, ministers, and other officials while representing the United States in bilateral trade talks. He worked with Cabinet members, their chiefs of staff and general counsel, and the White House on important administration policies and then executed those priorities within the department. He also provided legal and strategic advice to the secretary, deputy secretary, and other senior leaders while coordinating with White House counsel and interagency lawyers on legal issues.

Prior to joining the Commerce Department, Mike was a securities litigation and enforcement partner at a law firm where he defended US companies in multidistrict class action litigation and parallel government enforcement actions.

My latest insights

News

DLA Piper welcomes Mike Walsh as a partner in the National Security and Global Trade...

26 March 2025 .3 minute read

Connect

Phone

+1 202 799 4824
(Work, Washington, DC)
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