Mr Jason Chipman > WilmerHale > Washington DC, United States > Lawyer Profile

WilmerHale
2100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington DC 20036
United States

Position

Partner

Career

Jason Chipman is widely recognized as a national leader in handling complex regulatory matters associated with data security, cyber incident response, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and related export controls.

Data Security: Mr. Chipman has advised companies in nearly every sector of the economy on data security best practices and incident response, and because of his experience he is frequently asked to assist with corporate due diligence for transactions involving complex data security and privacy issues. He has helped companies large and small navigate regulatory obligations associated with data security incidents in the United States, Europe and Asia. Mr. Chipman is the editor of Cybersecurity, a global cybersecurity guide, and he frequently speaks to groups about cyber preparedness and related issues.

CFIUS and Foreign Investments: Since he joined the firm, Mr. Chipman has assisted clients navigating some of the most complex transactions submitted to CFIUS, representing both US sellers and foreign buyers. He frequently helps clients assess potential CFIUS risks associated with potential transactions and navigate obligations associated with facility clearances and the Defense Security Service.

Representative CFIUS transactions that highlight Mr. Chipman’s broad experience with foreign investment reviews are listed below:

  • Represented a major agriculture company in its multibillion-dollar sale to a foreign buyer.
  • Represented a private equity firm in its multibillion-dollar acquisition of a guard company.
  • Represented a US defense contractor in its 2017 sale of manufacturing facilities to a Chinese buyer.
  • Represented one of the world’s largest gold producers in their multibillion-dollar acquisition of a US-based mining company. Represented a French global telecommunications company in its multibillion-dollar sale to a global technology leader. Represented Brigham Exploration Company in its approximately $4.4 billion sale to Statoil ASA.
  • Represented an aircraft engine manufacturer and subsidiary of a Chinese defense company in its separate acquisitions of two US aviation companies. Represented Chicago Bridge & Iron NV in its approximately $3 billion acquisition of engineering and construction firm The Shaw Group Inc.
  • Represented an American multinational conglomerate before CFIUS in filings with respect to the acquisition of a subsidiary by a French manufacturing firm.

Background: Mr. Chipman currently serves as a non-resident fellow at the National Security Institute and is widely sought after for his strategic thinking on national security issues. He joined the firm in 2011 after serving as Senior Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General at the US Department of Justice (DOJ), and after having previously served as Counsel for National Security Law and Policy in the Department’s National Security Division. During his time at the DOJ, Mr. Chipman’s practice focused on national security policy, representing the government in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, CFIUS, cybersecurity and sensitive government investigations.

Prior to joining the DOJ, Mr. Chipman was an associate at a Washington DC law firm where his practice focused on complex trial and appellate litigation.

Education

  • JD, University of Virginia School of Law
  • BA, Mary Washington College

Lawyer Rankings

United States > Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection)

The cybersecurity and privacy team at WilmerHale handles a range of nonpublic privacy and data security regulatory investigations, particularly before the FTC. Pairing government experience with technical forensics expertise, the cross-disciplinary team of privacy, corporate governance, litigation, and national security practitioners supports clients experiencing complex cyber incidents. Team heads Benjamin Powell and Kirk Nahra, both in Washington DC, together chair the firm’s artificial intelligence practice; launched in 2023, it counsels clients on AI governance structures. Powell’s has longstanding experience in the sector, advising companies on major cybersecurity incidents both in terms of preparedness and response. Nahra has growing involvement in the privacy and security issues arising from healthcare research both across the US and globally. Jason Chipman, also in DC, assists corporate clients with due diligence in complex, data-related transactions.

United States > International trade > CFIUS

(Leading lawyers)

Jason ChipmanWilmerHale

Providing ‘good commercial guidance on CFIUS processes and likely sensitivities’, WilmerHale’s formidable government-side experience ensures adept handling of complex filings, including mitigation negotiations. Alongside an existing strength in mid-market M&A, its premier CFIUS expertise makes the group a regular fixture on reviews for large-scale, cross-border transactions—across all key industries. Highly regarded department chair Benjamin Powell is a former associate counsel to the president and GC to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Among Powell’s recent cases, he represented chemical company Univar Solutions during the successful CFIUS review of its $8.1bn acquisition by Apollo Global Management and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. A former senior counsel to the Deputy Attorney General, Jason Chipman also contributes extensive government-side experience and specializes in regulatory matters connected to cybersecurity, CFIUS and related export controls. In a highlight example of his practice sweet spot, Chipman is acting as CFIUS counsel to Intel regarding a $9bn transaction involving semiconductor memory technology. Other key contacts in the Washington DC-based team include Stephen Preston, who chairs the defense, national security and government contracts practice; and the ‘very strategicRobert Kimmitt, who previously served as Deputy Secretary of the US Department of the Treasury.