Global law firm Shearman & Sterling today announces the addition of Mike Walsh as a partner, based in Washington, D.C. He joins the firm's Litigation department, where he will advise clients on the national security aspects of cross-border transactions, represent clients in government enforcement actions, and counsel clients on mitigating geopolitical risk across business operations.
Mike's practice focuses on issues at the intersection of international business and national security, including the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), export controls, OFAC sanctions and other aspects of international cross-border investment, further enhancing the advisory and transaction clearance capabilities the firm offers companies and investors across the platform in a wide range of industries including technology, energy and manufacturing. Mike also advises multinational companies and private equity funds on strategic business planning and risk mitigation issues associated with foreign investment, and has experience involving all aspects of international compliance, national security enforcement and adjacent litigation.
Mike previously served as Chief of Staff and acting General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Commerce from 2018 – 2021, where he oversaw the highest impact legal initiatives throughout the Department, including CFIUS, the export administration and export enforcement functions of the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), emerging technologies, supply chain risk management, appellate litigation, and congressional oversight.
"Mike's extensive experience involving CFIUS and cross-border investment matters, both in private practice and with the Department of Commerce, strengthens our top-tier transaction clearance and merger control offering," said David Beveridge, Senior Partner at Shearman & Sterling. "His arrival also deepens our capabilities to advise on cutting edge matters involving business planning for companies operating internationally in a time of constantly evolving geopolitical risk. Mike can help companies identify and mitigate risks related to cross-border investment, export controls, and OFAC sanctions, and help companies defend their international compliance decisions in national security enforcement proceedings and adjacent litigation, strengthening the firm's business mix by expanding our core practice areas in key geographies."
Commenting on Mike's election to partnership, David Higbee, Global Antitrust Practice Group Leader and Head of Shearman & Sterling's Washington, D.C. office, added: "Mike's appointment reflects our continued commitment to expanding our international platform in the U.S. with respect to transactional structuring and merger clearance as well as government and regulatory enforcement. His arrival strengthens our CFIUS expertise and complements our robust merger control offering nationally and globally. Mike will help meet the increasing demand from our clients not only for transaction clearance support but also for advice in connection with strategic business planning in a fundamentally changing business environment. Mike's private practice experience counselling clients in this increasingly important space at the intersection of international business and national security, together with his senior Executive Branch experience, brings unique value to our business."
Mike Walsh added: "I'm excited to be joining a practice with the backing of Shearman & Sterling's global platform and brand. I look forward to working with the team to support all of our clients with a coordinated and integrated approach to navigating complex foreign investment and national security issues."