WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP (Freshfields) announced today the appointment of Shawn Cooley as special counsel in the firm’s US Antitrust, Competition and Trade practice, significantly strengthening Freshfields’ representation before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and its position as the firm of choice for complex, cross-border matters, especially those involving foreign investment in the United States.
Mr. Cooley joins the firm after nine years with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), where he served as its Director of Foreign Investment Risk Management for the Office of Policy. In that role, he was the principal manager of DHS’s membership and participation in the interagency CFIUS, which reviews foreign acquisitions of US businesses for possible national security implications. Mr. Cooley also counseled senior Department leadership on all matters pertaining to foreign investment in the United States. In addition to managing the review of all active CFIUS cases, Mr. Cooley was responsible for negotiating any necessary risk mitigation measures on behalf of DHS and maintaining a robust compliance monitoring program to ensure ongoing compliance with new and existing CFIUS mitigation agreements.
Prior to joining DHS, Mr. Cooley was in private practice focusing on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and other federal and state securities regulators’ proceedings ranging from informal inquiries and formal investigations to administrative proceedings and judicial enforcement actions.
“It is exciting to join an exceptionally talented team at Freshfields at such an interesting and challenging time,” said Mr. Cooley. “CFIUS is reviewing and investigating more transactions than ever before, the complexity of cross-border transactions under its review is increasing, and there is a tremendous amount of Congressional interest in expanding CFIUS's jurisdiction. I look forward to leveraging my experience to help clients successfully navigate the entire CFIUS process by bringing greater transparency to how CFIUS works.”
Paul Yde, head of the US ACT practice, commented: “Shawn is an important addition to the firm’s US offering. His prior role with DHS not only complements our existing CFIUS practice but adds to Freshfields’ unrivalled strength in executing complex, cross-border transactions. The depth of his knowledge and the insights he brings to clients will be critical in navigating an increasingly dynamic landscape for foreign investment in the United States.”
About Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a global law firm with a long-standing track record of successfully supporting the world's leading national and multinational corporations, financial institutions and governments on ground-breaking and business-critical mandates. Our 2,800 plus lawyers deliver results worldwide through our own offices and alongside leading local firms. Our commitment, local and multi-national expertise and business know-how means our clients rely on us when it matters most.
With more than 50 partners and over 260 dedicated lawyers in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States, Freshfields’ global Antitrust, Competition and Trade practice stands among the most recognized and sophisticated in the world, combining market leading domestic expertise with international experience and integration.
