National Security and International Law Enforcement

Export Controls and Sanctions, Extradition, INTERPOL, and Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) Compliance

Hecker Fink’s National Security and International Law Enforcement practice provides strategic counsel on complex global issues, including export controls and sanctions, extradition, mutual legal assistance, INTERPOL Red Notices, and other international law enforcement cooperation, in addition to Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) compliance. We help clients navigate national security related challenges within both domestic and international legal frameworks, ensuring compliance in a rapidly evolving global landscape while safeguarding our clients’ interests.

Our team includes eleven former federal prosecutors and other U.S. Department of Justice officials, including the former Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General, the former Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the DOJ’s Criminal Division, the former Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Legal Counsel at DOJ, two former co-chiefs of the Terrorism and and International Narcotics Unit for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), the former chief of the Criminal Division and national security unit for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY), the former chief of the Criminal Division for the Central District of California, a former U.S. Department of Justice Attaché to the U.S. Embassy in London, and a former Counselor to the Attorney General who regularly worked with the White House, the National Security Council, the intelligence community, and other agencies on national security investigations, prosecutions and, international matters. From other agencies the team includes a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intelligence & Security from the Department of Commerce, a Principal Deputy General Counsel for the Federal Bureau of Investigations, and an Assistant General Counsel for Enforcement and Intelligence at Treasury, who supervised all legal advice relating to Treasury’s sanctions authorities, including the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

Partner Amy Jeffress brings extensive experience, having spent over a decade at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Columbia, where she tried more than 40 cases and served as Chief of the National Security Section, conducting and supervising investigations and prosecutions of export control violations and other crimes related to national security. Chambers describes Amy as “an outstanding lawyer with a distinguished background in national security law.” Lawdragon names Amy, as well as Sean Hecker, among its 500 Leading Global Litigators.

Partner Marshall Miller most recently served as the Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General for the DOJ from 2022 to 2024, where he oversaw DOJ's international work, including the National Security Division, the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, DOJ's INTERPOL bureau, and its Office of International Affairs, as well as the international enforcement efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the U.S. Marshals Service. At DOJ, Marshall spearheaded a surge of resources into national security corporate crime enforcement, to address the dramatic expansion of corporate crime activities and risks relating to national security and emerging technology. He oversaw the first-ever corporate conviction for material support of terrorism, the launch and implementation of the innovative Disruptive Technology Strike Force and Task Force Kleptocapture, and a substantial increase in enforcement of FARA violations and breaches of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) national security agreements, including the largest penalty action in CFIUS history.  Previously, Marshall oversaw DOJ's international program as the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division and led the national security program at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York. For his work, he has received the Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of National Security and the National Intelligence Merit Award.

Partners Mike Ferrara and Shawn Crowley each served as Co-Chief of the National Security and International Narcotics Unit at the SDNY, where they prosecuted and supervised some of the country’s most sensitive and consequential national security cases, including those involving money laundering and terrorism financing, sanctions and export control violations, and narco-trafficking. Chambers ranks Mike as one of New York’s top litigators in white collar crime and government investigations, and nationally in FCPA, with their sources describing him as an “absolutely fantastic and a great trial lawyer” and “dedicated to his clients and any engagement that comes his way.” Likewise, Chambers ranks Shawn as one of New York’s top litigators in white collar crime and government investigations and notes her “fantastic reputation” and “marvelous presence.”

We have counseled multiple companies and individuals with issues relating to heavily classified information. We have advised multinational companies on criminal investigations and False Claims Act investigations, relating to classified contracts. We have advised individual clients on investigations relating to media reporting of classified information and criminal investigations relating to the mishandling of classified information and leak cases. We have also represented individuals in congressional inquiries from the intelligence committees in both chambers of Congress. We have multiple attorneys with Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearances.

Export Controls and Sanctions

Hecker Fink offers strategic legal counsel on navigating export control regulations and economic sanctions. Our team advises clients on investigations involving potential violations of the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), and other export controls. We also assist clients in understanding and, where appropriate, challenging sanctions brought by the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) and other sanctions programs. Our team has deep experience handling sanction matters involving China, Iran, Russia, North Korea, and Cuba.

Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)

Our team advises clients on understanding and complying with FARA, including assessing registration obligations, facilitating registrations where necessary, responding to inquiries from the DOJ’s FARA Unit, and preparing for inspections to avoid potential liabilities.

Extradition

Hecker Fink attorneys have extensive experience advising clients on extradition matters. We guide clients through the challenges of cross-border legal processes, defending against or facilitating the extradition process in alignment with treaties and international law enforcement cooperation. Our approach is tailored to the legal, political, and diplomatic complexities of each case.

INTERPOL Coordination

The Hecker Fink team advises clients on navigating INTERPOL’s complex international policing framework. Whether coordinating with law enforcement agencies, challenging Red Notices, or addressing issues related to international fugitive investigations, our firm is equipped to handle high-stakes, sensitive matters relating to INTERPOL. Our attorneys have successfully represented individuals subject to INTERPOL Red Notices and have obtained decisions from INTERPOL to delete or block Red Notices in a number of individual matters.