Latham & Watkins is recognized for its market-leading strength in navigating the increasingly complex intersection of national security, trade compliance, and government-facing regulatory matters. With deep experience across CFIUS, FOCI mitigation, economic sanctions, export controls, anti-money laundering, government contracts, and cybersecurity, the team advises clients on the full spectrum of issues shaping today’s global investment and enforcement environment. The practice has made substantial investments in expanding its bench through senior former government hires, strengthening its ability to guide clients through the most sensitive regulatory and geopolitical challenges. The practice, centered in Washington DC, is co-led by Les P. Carnegie and Damara Chambers. Carnegie is widely regarded as one of the foremost CFIUS advisers, having secured clearance for transactions exceeding $200 billion in value over the past year. Chambers is similarly regarded for her versatility across CFIUS, FOCI, ITAR, and technology transfer matters, regularly handling landmark agreements and mitigation negotiations with the US government. Other key figures include James Barker, Global Chair of the Connectivity Industry Group, who advises clients across CFIUS and Team Telecom matters; Matthew Brill, a former FCC senior official with particular strength in telecommunications and national security-driven regulatory litigation; and Eric Volkman, who co-leads the firm’s sanctions and export controls practice and is noted for his work on major enforcement and compliance mandates in the digital assets space. Former Treasury Investment Security Assistant Secretary Paul Rosen further bolsters the group’s leadership, bringing unparalleled insight into CFIUS policy, enforcement, and outbound investment regulation. Vanessa Le, who joined the DC team in July 2025, further strengthens the practice, acting as lead partner on a number of congressional investigations. Michael Herman is noted as a rising talent within the DC team. Recent highlights include advising Desktop Metal on the CFIUS and trade controls aspects of its acquisition by Nano Dimension, representing Changpeng Zhao, founder and former CEO of Binance, in one of the most high-profile enforcement matters of the year, and assisting Mawarid Holding Company in securing CFIUS approval for a $500 million-plus investment into US aerospace innovator Sceye.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Latham's National Security practice, which includes their Telecommunications team handling FCC enforcement matters, has provided elite strategic counsel across many complex matters - and they have done so with exceptional cost/time efficiency.'
- 'In addition to highly capable partners, the associates and counsels supporting Latham's practice are equally effective, thorough, and poised with a strategic mindset that favors client interests.'
- 'Matthew Brill and Michael Herman, in particular, have stood out as my go-to outside counsel team on matters involving FCC investigation and enforcement matters. I value their strategic insight, substantive expertise, and commitment to their client's interests in resolving matters expeditiously and efficiently. They both are also wonderful, trustworthy people to work with on high-stress matters.'
- 'They have really good national security lawyers, but unlike other firms that recruit primarily former government officials, Latham has a view of the business side that is unparalleled and actually makes more of a difference that just stacking up more and more government experience.'
- 'Clients who are dealing with national security issues are primarily focused on the business effects that are implicated by national security matters, rather than national security in a vacuum. Latham is very very good at that.'
- 'The national security team is large, and the individual lawyers work as a team, rather than stove-piped. It means that you get a unified, collective view on national security when you work with Latham. That's very different than how other firms work.'
Key clients
- Silver Lake Partners
- Mawarid Investments Limited
- Changpeng Zhao
- Bunge Ltd
- Duolingo
- Meta Platforms, Inc.
- Desktop Metal
- Anglo American PLC
- Coherus BioSciences
Work highlights
Advised Desktop Metal, Inc. on CFIUS and trade controls matters in connection with its acquisition by Nano Dimension Ltd, leading extensive negotiations with CFIUS and counsel for Nano on a National Security Agreement (NSA) in this precedent-setting deal.
Representing Changpeng Zhao, founder and former CEO of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, in connection with a complex resolution of multiple agency investigations.
Assisted Mawarid Holding Company, a prominent Saudi Arabian conglomerate, to secure CFIUS approval for its Series C investment exceeding $500 million in Sceye, a pioneering US aerospace company specializing in High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS).
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Rising stars
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Les P. Carnegie; Damara Chambers; James Barker
Other key lawyers
Matthew Brill; Eric Volkman; Paul Rosen; Vanessa Le; Michael Herman