DC Trade and Sanctions (CFIUS) Associate
At a glance
Junior Risk & Financial Compliance role at Clifford Chance. Washington · full-time · $260,000–$365,000 base.
financeroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Assess whether deals fall under CFIUS authority, require filings, or raise national security concerns
- Prepare CFIUS notices and declarations, then guide clients through reviews, investigations, and mitigation
- Advise on deal terms and weigh voluntary filing choices alongside risks from transactions that go unreported
- Work with corporate, private equity, funds, technology, energy, infrastructure, financial institution, and M&A teams
What you bring
- At least three years as a recent law firm associate advising on CFIUS and related national security matters
- A J.D. and active good-standing membership in the DC Bar, or eligibility to join through waiver
- Hands-on CFIUS work covering jurisdiction, filing analysis, filings, and review management
- Knowledge of FIRRMA rules, filing obligations, national security risks, mitigation, and non-notified matters
Who this fits
This role suits a collaborative lawyer who can spot regulatory issues early and explain complex rules clearly to clients and deal teams. It is based in Washington, DC, with a hybrid arrangement.
From the employer
Who we are
As a global law firm our work spans jurisdictions, cultures, and languages – and so do our people.
Our culture is collaborative and inclusive, where diverse perspectives are recognised and valued. Where performing to your highest ability, unlocks equal access to opportunities to learn, thrive and grow.
We combine deep legal expertise and commercial intelligence to grow, transform, protect, and defend our clients' businesses, across every critical moment.
We operate in the sectors and regions that matter to our clients. With forward-thinking insights and innovative, tech-enabled solutions that combine deep knowledge of their sectors and markets.
You’ll build connections and work with colleagues as one global team. You’ll unlock opportunities for clients, across borders, cultures, legal and commercial disciplines.
Join us to work with colleagues as one global team – empowering each other to be exceptional and create advantage for our clients.
The role
The Washington, DC office of Clifford Chance is seeking an associate to join its Trade/Sanctions group with a focus on the growing Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) practice, which is co-led by Karalyn Mildorf and Renée Latour. While the successful candidate may be called upon from time to time to support other areas of the Trade/Sanctions practice, the primary area of responsibility will be CFIUS.
The ideal candidate will have at least three years of recent law firm associate experience advising clients on CFIUS and related national security matters, including assessing whether transactions may be subject to CFIUS jurisdiction, identifying mandatory filing requirements, evaluating national security risk, assessing voluntary filing and non-notified risk considerations, advising on deal terms, preparing CFIUS notices and declarations, supporting clients through the CFIUS review and investigation process, and addressing mitigation considerations. The candidate should be comfortable working closely with corporate, private equity, funds, technology, energy, infrastructure, financial institutions, and cross-border M&A teams on transaction-related regulatory issues.
The successful candidate will be a proactive and collaborative lawyer with a strong foundation in CFIUS and national security regulatory analysis. The candidate should be able to identify issues early, provide practical guidance to transactional teams and clients, and contribute to a sophisticated global practice. Strong drafting skills, intellectual curiosity, responsiveness, and the ability to communicate complex regulatory issues clearly and concisely are essential.
Your experience
- J.D. from an accredited law school.
- Active membership in good standing with the DC Bar, or eligibility to waive into the DC Bar.
- Substantial experience with CFIUS matters, including transaction-related issue spotting, jurisdictional assessments, mandatory and voluntary filing analysis, preparation of CFIUS filings, and management of CFIUS reviews.
- Thorough understanding of FIRRMA regulations and current CFIUS practice, including mandatory filing requirements, substantive risk considerations and non-notified risk, mitigation requirements, and emerging national security priorities.
- Excellent legal research, analytical, drafting, and communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
- Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary and cross-border teams.
- Sound judgment, commercial awareness, and a practical, client-focused approach.
Applications must include a resume and law school transcript.
Clifford Chance US LLP offers a comprehensive benefits and compensation package. The salary range for this position is $260,000-$365,000. Actual salary will be commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and relevant experience.
Equal opportunities
At Clifford Chance, we forge an inclusive culture, where all perspectives are recognised and valued. It’s a culture where everyone has equal access to opportunities to thrive and succeed, irrespective of background. We are guided by our values-based Code, which sets high standards of conduct and has a principle focused on being inclusive.
We are an equal opportunity employer and provide consideration to all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We comply with the law and regulations in every location where we operate and across all aspects of employment, from recruitment and selection to development, progression, and day-to-day working life.
Find out more about our inclusive culture here