George Grammas is a partner in the global law practice of Squire Patton Boggs, where he chairs the firm’s International Trade Practice, across our global network in over 40 offices on four continents.

George spends 100% of his time representing clients in export controls, sanctions, Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) clearance and other US and global international trade regulatory, compliance, policy and national security matters.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and CFIUS

George is among the most experienced practitioners before CFIUS, having practiced before CFIUS since 1990, the inception of notice filings of transactions before CFIUS, and representing investors, buyers and sellers in hundreds of transactions before CFIUS and assessing possible national security concerns. He is engaged frequently as special counsel by transaction parties or deal counsel on transactions to manage the CFIUS, export controls and security clearance notices and policy considerations to a timely conclusion with predictable results, minimizing deal risk. In addition to the notice process, George leads the firm (i) to provide CFIUS and related risk assessments, drawing on the firm’s depth of experience and resources on policy matters, and (ii) to provide global FDI assessments for multijurisdictional businesses, assessing the filing requirements in all relevant countries, utilizing our global platform.

George is equally expert in export controls, distinguishing him among CFIUS practitioners. Since the passage of the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA), an in-depth export controls assessment of the target US business is necessary in assessing whether filing with CFIUS is mandatory for a given investment, acquisition or other transaction.

Export Controls and Sanctions

George has experience in all export controls matters and an understanding of all controlled technologies regulated under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), including semiconductors, aerospace, military, security, dual-use and space export controls, as well as a comprehensive understanding of the trade restrictions imposed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). He has many years of experience in specialty chemicals and materials exports and manufacturing equipment exports. With a background in mathematics and computer programming, he began his career in electronics technologies and, through the current day, continues to focus on AI, encryption, software, semiconductors, communications and electronic systems and subsystems exports.

Further, George has spent considerable time in Europe and frequently visits China and Japan, where he achieved an unparalleled understanding of the challenges, lessons-learned and best practices for non-US organizations seeking to comply with the ITAR, EAR and OFAC regulations, including application of the de minimis, foreign direct product and 50% rules and other aspects of the extraterritorial application of US export controls and sanctions to non-US organizations.

Since 2007, George has co-hosted the preeminent US export controls training for non-US companies with the UK ADS trade association, including representatives from State, Commerce and Defense, frequently delivered the advanced US export controls workshops at the UK government’s annual symposium and represents the British Defense Staff at their US embassy on US export controls.

In addition, over the past three-plus decades of practice, George served on government and industry export controls committees, including as industry adviser to the US State Department through the Defense Trade Advisory Group; co-chair of the Joint Defense Trade Committee of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) and the Aerospace Industries Association; chair of the export controls committee for CANEUS International; international trade counsel to the EIA; and legal adviser to the Society for International Affairs.

Thought Leadership

George is a co-author of the firm’s ITAR Practitioner’s Handbook and handbooks on navigating the CFIUS process and economic sanctions. He leads the content development for The Trade Practitioner blog. George is also a sought-after speaker at briefings and events on export controls and CFIUS and at company legal retreats.

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International Trade Compliance

  • Developing and deploying a trade compliance program across the US facilities and facilities in EU and Asia Pacific countries for a specialty chemical company including compliance policy, manual, procedures and awareness training.
  • Conducting an international trade compliance risk assessment of a multinational defense industry company, followed by internal investigations in the areas of export controls, economic sanctions and FCPA compliance, and voluntary disclosures to regulators.
  • Serving as an export controls ombudsman for a multinational aerospace business including resolving day-to-day licensing and compliance matters, drafting compliance procedures, and drafting and implementing the training program.
  • Establishing procedures and obtaining (deemed export) approvals for non-US citizen employees, professors and students working in the lab of a major educational institution.
  • Establishing international trade compliance policies and procedures, providing compliance official and empowered official training and compliance awareness training in export controls, economic sanctions, customs and FCPA for numerous companies annually.

Export Controls

  • Assisting a US-based automatic test equipment company in negotiating and drafting contracts and in obtaining US State Department approvals for the export of defense articles and defense services in support of NATO, Middle East and Japanese aircraft maintenance programs and direct manning personnel for the F-15, AWACS and other military platforms.
  • Assisting a US-based information security company in determining US, French and Chinese export and import requirements and restrictions for dual-use encryption technology and obtaining mass market treatment for the products from the US Commerce Department.
  • Developing and implementing strategy for sales, manufacturing and distribution of defense articles and defense services through affiliated companies in the United States and EU under technical assistance agreements and distribution agreements approved by the US State Department.
  • Obtaining a commodity jurisdiction determination that a component used in spacecraft applications is under Commerce Department dual-use export licensing jurisdiction.
  • Assisting a commercial communications satellite company in obtaining authorization to engage in final assembly and testing operations in Russia of communication satellites, as well as authorization to launch from Russia.
  • Conducting internal investigations and voluntary disclosures of export compliance for numerous companies every year.

Economic Sanctions

  • Determining the application of OFAC regulations to a non-US automaker’s operations in sanctioned countries.
  • Submitting a voluntary disclosure to OFAC concerning repair of aircraft equipment for an SDN.
  • Evaluating services that could be performed on or for oil platforms and ships operating in Iranian territorial waters.
  • Evaluating the application of US economic sanctions to dry leases and wet leases of aircraft on temporary sojourn to sanctioned countries for a non-US carrier and submitting voluntary disclosure to OFAC.
  • Obtaining licenses for export of medical devices to US-sanctioned countries.
  • Investigating possible violations of US economic sanctions and submitting voluntary disclosures to OFAC.

FCPA/Anticorruption

  • Serving as independent FCPA counsel for joint venture owned 50/50 by a non-US government instrumentality and US company.
  • Investigating possible FCPA violations in Russia and implementing compliance measures for a global telecom equipment manufacturer.
  • Evaluating the application of FCPA to oil industry joint venture activities in Latin America.
  • Drafting and implementing FCPA, anti-money-laundering, antiboycott and export controls compliance provisions in a Middle East agency agreement for a large defense contractor.
  • Investigating red flags that arose under FCPA compliance program related to overseas sales representatives.
  • Providing anticorruption compliance training for an aerospace company in the US, UK and China.

Customs

  • Conducting an internal/simulated customs focused assessment for a multinational importer and making recommendations to strengthen compliance measures and pass a future customs focused assessment.
  • Establishing proper customs valuation and classification for large capital equipment imports through a series of ruling requests and protests.
  • Developing strategy for minimizing tariff obligations and establishing proper valuation, classification, origin and marking requirements for global companies.
  • Defending a US-based company’s foreign trade subzone status against challenges raised by a US supplier.
  • Representing parties in antidumping proceedings including electrolytic manganese dioxide from China, polyvinyl alcohol from China, aspirin from Turkey, calendar slides from Japan and flexible magnets from China and Taiwan.
  • Persuading Customs to change its position concerning the classifications of merchandise through an internal advice request, protesting entries based on disputed classification and submitting a prior disclosure as a protective measure.

Foreign Investment/Access to US Defense and Critical Infrastructure Industries and CFIUS

  • Acting as special counsel to a large Germany-based defense contractor on CFIUS and Defense Security Service approvals for acquisition of a cleared US-based contractor and participation in US government programs.
  • Acting as special counsel to an Italy-based high technology company in acquisitions in the United States, clearing CFIUS review and bringing acquired companies into compliance with US export control requirements.
  • Obtaining access to US defense industry through government approval granting the non-US company access to government and contractor RFPs (including controlled technical data) for all current and future programs related to the company’s product line during the life of the approval.
  • Clearing an acquisition of a US-based telecommunications company by a China-based government-owned enterprise.
  • Clearing CFIUS reviews involving many other acquisitions in the defense, high technology, telecommunications, chemical, energy and transportation industries.

Education

  • William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., 1988
  • Lawrence University, B.A., cum laude, 1984

Admissions

  • District of Columbia, 1990

Courts

  • U.S. Ct. of App., District of Columbia Circuit
  • U.S. Ct. of App., Federal Circuit, 1991
  • U.S. Ct. of International Trade
  • Recommended in The Legal 500 UK 2017 for Trade, WTO, anti-dumping and customs.
  • Ranked in Expert Guide 2017, 2018 and 2019 for International Trade & Shipping, a ranking of the world’s leading lawyers in the field.
  • Selected by BTI Consulting Group as a Client Service All-Star in 2017, 2019 and 2020, one of just over 300 lawyers across the United States to make the list.

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  • US-China Business Council, “National Security Investment Reviews: A Look at the US and Chinese Systems,” March 17, 2021.
  • Content Enablers COMPLIANCE 2021™, “The Evolving Intersection Between Export Controls and CFIUS: CFIUS, DDTC, and BIS Filing Obligations and Practical Perspectives,” January 28, 2021.
  • Update: US Election 2020 – How the Biden Administration Will Affect Japanese Companies, Their M&A Deals and Access to the US Market (Policy and Regulatory Insights and Strategic Advice), December 9, 2020.
  • Content Enablers COMPLIANCE 2020™, “US Trade Compliance Training for China Operations,” October 28, 2020.
  • EGADD Annual Main “Meeting” for 2020, “The People’s Republic of China: the Application of US Secondary Sanctions (Extraterritorial Measures), Other International Attitudes Towards it, and the New Chinese Laws,” October 14, 2020.
  • US-China Business Council, “Recent China-Related Export Controls and Sanctions Developments and the Long Arm of US Law,” July 29, 2020.
  • Content Enablers COMPLIANCE 2020™, “Trade Compliance and Emerging Policy,” July 23-24, 2020.
  • Content Enablers COMPLIANCE 2020™ Webinar, “The Future of US/UK Trade – Who Will Come Out a Winner?” May 28, 2020.
  • US-China Business Council, “US-China Commerce in the Crosshairs of American National Security Politics, Policy, and Regulations – a conversation with Squire Patton Boggs,” May 21, 2020.
  • Content Enablers COMPLIANCE 2020™, “US Trade Compliance Training for China Operations,” October 28, 2020.
  • EGADD Annual Main “Meeting” for 2020, “The People’s Republic of China: the Application of US Secondary Sanctions (Extraterritorial Measures), Other International Attitudes Towards it, and the New Chinese Laws,” October 14, 2020.
  • Content Enablers COMPLIANCE 2020™, “Trade Compliance and Emerging Policy,” July 23-24, 2020.
  • Content Enablers COMPLIANCE 2020™ Webinar, “The Future of US/UK Trade – Who Will Come Out a Winner?” May 28, 2020.
  • Content Enablers COMPLIANCE 2020™ UK Event, April 2, 2020.
  • Content Enablers COMPLIANCE 2020™ Webinar, “Emerging and Foundational Technologies and CFIUS,” February 20, 2020.
  • CE@Schar COMPLIANCE 2020™, in partnership with the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, event series kickoff, Washington DC, November 4, 2019.
  • CFIUS Overview, Impact of FIRRMA and Current Pilot Program, and Foreign Investment Concerns, American Bar Association (ABA) Webinars, October 30, 2019.
  • Keep US Open to Chinese Business: How to Cope With Strengthened US Export Controls and CFIUS, Shanghai and Beijing, China, October 11 and October 15, 2019, respectively.
  • Ahead of the Curve: Addressing the Changing Environment of US-China Trade Compliance and Export Controls for Multinational Companies in China, Shanghai and Beijing, China, October 10 and October 14, 2019, respectively.
  • Accessing the US Market: Regulatory and Policy Insights and Strategic Advice for Japanese Investors, Tokyo, Japan, October 9, 2019.
  • 2019 US Export Controls: From EAR to ITARnity – Ever-challenging US Export Controls Compliance, Winchester, UK, September 16-18, 2019.
  • 2019 Export Controls and Technology Transfers Conference & Workshops, Marcus Evans, Arlington, VA, June 19-20, 2019.
  • 2019 UK Government Export Control Symposium, UK Department for International Trade, Export Control Organisation, London, UK, May 30, 2019.
  • 2019 BAE Supply Chain Briefing, London, UK, May 29, 2019.
  • 2019 UK Government Ministry of Defence US Export Controls Briefing, London, UK, May 28, 2019.
  • 2018 UK Government Export Control Symposium, UK Department for International Trade, Export Control Organisation, Manchester, UK, November 6, 2018.
  • “International Trade Challenges and Strategies,” China General Chamber of Commerce’s Legal & Policy Series, New York, NY, October 15, 2018.
  • US Export Controls Workshops, "The ITAR 'Virus' EARvolves!" Stratford-upon-Avon, UK, July 23-25, 2018.
  • US Export Controls Workshops, "The ITAR 'Virus' EARvolves!" Stratford-upon-Avon, UK, June 12-14, 2017.
  • UK Export Control Symposium, UK Department for International Trade, Export Control Organisation, London, UK, March 21, 2017
  • 7th Annual Advanced ITAR & EAR Compliance Conference & Workshops, Marcus Evans, Arlington, VA, February 8-9, 2017.
  • 5th US Trade Controls Compliance in Europe Forum, C5, London, UK, January 31-February 1, 2017.
  • US Export Controls Workshops, "The ITAR 'Virus' EARvolves!" Stratford-upon-Avon, UK, July 18-20, 2016.
  • “Breaking Down the New US Export Controls Framework and Tackling the Most Challenging Issues,” Marcus Evans 6th Advanced ITAR and EAR Compliance Conference, Arlington, VA, February 23-25, 2016.
  • “US Export Controls – Intermediate Workshop,” UK Department for International Trade, Export Control Organisation, September 22, 2015.
  • “Comparative Overview of EU and US Economic Sanctions Regimes,” Squire Patton Boggs Seminar, “Financial Sanctions in Practice: What You Need to Know to Comply,” London, UK, June 15, 2015.
  • “Regulatory Issues: US & UK Export Controls, Committee for Foreign Investment in the US, US Acquisition Regulations and US Security Clearances,” Squire Patton Boggs Seminar, “Opportunities for UK Companies in the US Defence and Security Markets,” Birmingham, UK, June 12, 2015.
  • US Export Controls Workshop, "The ITAR 'Virus' EARvolves!" Stratford-upon-Avon, UK, June 9-11, 2015.
  • “Some Legal Advice Can’t Hurt: An Intro to International Crypto-law,” 2015 mGuard International User Conference, Houston, TX, June 3-4, 2015.
  • “What to Expect When DDTC Requests Outside Monitoring,” SIA 2015 Spring International Trade Export Licensing & Compliance Conference, Los Angeles, CA, May 3-6, 2015.
  • “Analyzing the Current State of Export Controls Reform and Creating a Framework for Your Compliance Toolbox,” Marcus Evans 5th Advanced ITAR Compliance and Export Controls Conference, Arlington, VA, February 18-20, 2015.
  • US Export Controls Workshop, "The ITAR 'Virus' EARvolves!" Bristol, UK, November 3-5, 2014.
  • “Main Issues and Trends in Mergers & Acquisitions: Brazilian and International Perspectives,” Joint Seminar, Squire Patton Boggs and Castro, Barros, Sobral, Gomes Advogados, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil, August 12 & 14, 2014.
  • US Export Controls Workshop, "The ITAR 'Virus' EARvolves!" Stratford-upon-Avon, UK, July 8-10, 2014.
  • “Managing ITAR and EAR Controlled Technical Data and the Impacts on Employment, Facility Visit and Dealings with US and non-US Contractors,” Marcus Evans 4th Advanced ITAR Compliance Conference, Arlington, VA, February 11-13, 2014.
  • ITAR Three-Day Workshop, Chester, UK, October 8-10, 2013.
  • US Export Controls Workshop, "The ITAR 'Virus' EARvolves!" Stratford-on-Avon, UK, June 11-13, 2013.
  • “Managing Complex ITAR Licensing and Compliance Challenges Affecting Suppliers to Non-U.S. Customers: Practical Impact of US-UK and US-Australia Treaties and Other Key Considerations,” American Conference Institute’s National Forum on ITAR Compliance, Washington DC, July 24-25, 2012.
  • ITAR Workshop, “How to Cure the Virus,” UK A|D|S/EGAD 2012, Leatherhead, Surrey, UK, July 3-5, 2012.
  • Workshop, “A Complete Guide to Preventing Defense Services Export Violations: Fostering Worldwide Compliance across Your Engineering, IT, Procurement and Sales Teams, and Avoiding ITAR Taint of Commercial Services,” American Conference Institute’s 6th National Forum on “International Technology Transfers & Deemed Export Compliance,” Washington DC, September 28, 2011.
  • ITAR Workshop, “How to Cure the Virus,” UK A|D|S/EGAD 2011,” Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire, UK, June 14-16, 2011.
  • “Impact of ITAR on Aerospace R&D: Understanding the Problems and Possible Solutions,” ISC Intelligence, Brussels, Belgium, June 24, 2011.
  • C5 Export Controls Conference, Paris, France, “Voluntary and Directed Disclosures,” December 2010.
  • ITAR Boot Camp, American Conference Institute, “Avoiding Unauthorized Exports of Technical Data and Defense Services,” October 2010.
  • ITAR Boot Camp, American Conference Institute, “License Exemptions under the ITAR,” October 2010.
  • ITAR Workshop, “How to Cure the Virus,” UK A|D|S/EGAD 2010, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire, UK, July 12-14, 2010.
  • Defense Export Controls Conference, American Institute of Engineers, “Avoiding Unauthorized Exports of Technical Data and Defense Services,” November 2009.
  • Coping With Export Controls in Mixed Commercial and Military Business: “Turning the ITAR on Its EAR,” Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, International Business Exchange Council, October 2009.
  • Complying with Export Controls on International Tech Transfer, American Conference Institute, “Export Compliance and Licensing: Stored and Transmitted Data,” September 2009.
  • ITAR Workshop, “How to Cure the Virus,” UK Defense Manufacturers Association/EGAD 2009, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire, UK, June 8-10, 2009.
  • “ITAR and Government Policies and Approvals for International Collaboration,” CANEUS 2009, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, March 1‑6, 2009.
  • “ITAR Controls on Technology Transfers and Outsourcing,” GOCA/DOIA 2008, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, October. 13-16, 2008.
  • ITAR Workshop, “How to Cure the Virus,” UK DMA/EGAD 2008, Bracknell, Berkshire, UK (July 7-10, 2008) and Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire, UK, November 19-20, 2008.
  • “ITAR Issues,” NDIA Manufacturing Division Conference, Arlington, Virginia, November 14, 2007.
  • “Dual/Third Country Nationals,” sponsored by the Society for International Affairs, Washington DC, June 11, 2007.
  • ITAR Workshop, “How to Cure the Virus,” UK Defense Manufacturers Association/EGAD 2007, Warwickshire, UK, April 3-4, 2007.
  • “Gateway to India 2006: Opening the Golden Door: Paving the Way for Business Success,” International Business Exchange Council (IBEC), International Trade Association of Northern Virginia (ITANV), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Department of Commerce and TiE-DC, McLean, Virginia, December 4, 2006.
  • “Strategies for Complying with the ITAR in the Context of Collaboration in Aerospace Applications,” CANEUS 2006: Conference on Micro and Nano Technologies for Aerospace Applications, Toulouse, France, August 27-September 1, 2006.
  • “Export Compliance in the Context of International Marketing and Business Development,” Law Seminars International: A Comprehensive Tour of Key Legal Areas for Corporate Counsel, McLean, Virginia, June 19, 2006.
  • “Employing Foreign Nationals: Laws, Threats, Practices,” INTELCON 2nd Annual National Intelligence Conference and Exposition, Bethesda, Maryland, May 8, 2006.
  • “Challenges and Opportunities When the Best Solutions Utilize Non-US Products,” International Business Exchange Council (IBEC), McLean, Virginia, January 24, 2006.
  • Conference director and speaker at multiple conferences for the Society for International Affairs.

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