Darshak S. Dholakia

Darshak S. Dholakia primarily advises on compliance with national security and international trade laws, including economic sanctions programs administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), anti-money laundering (AML) provisions of the USA Patriot Act, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and other anti-corruption laws, and export controls (Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and the Part 110 and 810 nuclear export control regulations).

Mr. Dholakia regularly assists clients in proactively assessing and mitigating risks under these laws and developing practical solutions when problems arise.  He also regularly conducts internal investigations, develops compliance programs, oversees risk assessments, conducts due diligence for corporate transactions, obtains export control classifications, and interacts with government agencies in relation to compliance and enforcement-related proceedings.

Mr. Dholakia also advises clients in connection with transactions implicating national security reviews conducted by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). He has represented foreign investors and acquirers and domestic sellers and targets in connection with many dozens of investment transactions.

Mr. Dholakia is co-author of the United States chapter of Global Legal Insights – Bribery & Corruption, a book covering bribery and corruption law in 27 jurisdictions that provides an overview of the law and enforcement regime, enforcement activity during recent years, issues relating to investigation and enforcement decisions, corporate liability and proposed reforms in the years ahead. Mr. Dholakia also has authored articles for the Global Trade and Customs Journal and the Anti-Corruption Report and has provided commentary for Bloomberg and Law360. He has been quoted in the Washington Post, Bloomberg, Los Angeles Times, The Register, Yahoo, and the Hindustan Times, among others.

In recognition of his significant work on pro bono matters, Mr. Dholakia has made the Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll numerous times, an initiative sponsored by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

Prior to joining Dechert, Mr. Dholakia was an associate in the international trade and investment group of an international law firm. He also previously clerked in the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs.