The national security team at Dechert in Washington DC boasts a team of practitioners capable of advising on the sanctions and export controls compliance aspects and regulatory approvals as part of large transactions. The group also has experience investigating potential violations and responding to enforcement inquiries, and contesting OFAC designations. The team is turned to by high-profile clients across a variety of industries, including banking, finance, manufacturing and telecommunications. Chair of the practice Jeremy B. Zucker has a strong track record representing sanctioned clients in efforts to achieve removal from sanctions lists and negotiating penalty settlements with OFAC. Hrishikesh Hari is another key team member whose core services include leading export controls and sanctions compliance due diligence and leading internal investigations.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
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Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Dechert’s customs and export controls team stands out for a pragmatic, business‑grounded approach paired with deep technical mastery of U.S. national security, export controls, and enforcement. What differentiates them in practice is the way they invest in understanding our business operations and risk profile, then translate complex regulatory requirements into clear, workable solutions that our logistics, trade, and operations teams can implement.'
'Dechert's counsel has been responsive and steady in real‑world scenarios (e.g., outreach/inspection contexts and agency communications), and they consistently anticipate downstream impacts across regions and functions, not just the immediate legal question.'
'Compared with other firms, Dechert’s strengths are: Actionable advice that accounts for operational constraints, not just black‑letter law. Speed and reliability under time pressure, with crisp guidance and strong written work product. Integrated coverage across export controls, investigations, and national security—so we get continuity from issue triage through remediation planning. Matter and billing discipline, with clear SOWs, named points of contact, and structured deliverables.'
‘Jeremy Zucker stands out for strategic judgement, credibility with enforcement‑facing matters, and a clear, concise writing style that executives can act on quickly. He ensures advice stays business‑aligned and risk‑weighted, not theoretical.'
- 'Hrishikesh (Hrishi) Hari is distinguished by responsiveness, issue‑spotting across investigations and export controls, and practical remediation paths when timelines are tight. He’s adept at turning agency interactions and onsite outreach into clear next steps for our teams.'
- 'Together, Jeremy and Hrishi have provided calm, actionable guidance during sensitive matters and agency touchpoints—the kind of support that earns trust at both the executive and site‑operations levels.’
Key clients
- ByteDance/TikTok
- Cerberus Capital Management
- GIC Pte. Ltd., a Singaporean sovereign wealth fund
- Fidelity Investments
- Francisco D'Agostino
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.
Practice head
Jeremy Zucker; Hrishikesh Hari