Michael L. Burton

Michael Burton has more than 15 years’ experience representing U.S. and foreign clients on a range of issues related to compliance with and enforcement of U.S. export controls (Export Administration Regulations & International Traffic in Arms Regulations), economic sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), anti-boycott, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, anti-money laundering, and import laws.

He counsels clients on complex trade controls issues, designs and audits corporate compliance programs, and has obtained numerous US government licenses authorizing transactions under these controls. For his clients – ranging from Fortune 500 companies with novel trade controls challenges to smaller corporations without substantial in-house compliance resources – Michael develops compliance systems to identify, avoid, and mitigate international regulatory risks.

He also conducts internal investigations, compliance assessments and due diligence, prepares voluntary disclosures, and defends and resolves enforcement actions before the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Treasury, State, and Homeland Security.

Michael is vice-chair and co-chair-elect of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Export Controls and Economic Sanctions Committee of the Section of International Law and a member of the OFAC Practitioners’ Group.

Michael is a frequent speaker and writer, quoted by Dow Jones, The Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg Newswires. Michael edited the chapter titled ‘Export Controls and Economic Sanctions’ in The International Lawyer.

He is currently drafting the ‘Anti-boycott Compliance’ chapter for a forthcoming ABA export controls book. Michael has been listed in Chambers USA 2012 for Export Controls and Economic Sanctions and has been recognized by Legal 500.