Shannon Reaves

Shannon Reaves, co-chair of Dechert's national security practice, is a leading authority on cross-border investment reviews and national security compliance, bringing more than two decades of expertise to clients navigating high-stakes transactional and regulatory challenges. Mr. Reaves advises a diverse range of corporate, financial and government-regulated clients on the full spectrum of matters before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), from early-stage transaction structuring through formal review and investigation, as well as on foreign ownership, control or influence (FOCI) mitigation and export control compliance.

Mr. Reaves is a trusted counselor for clients assessing CFIUS jurisdiction over specific transaction structures, negotiating deal terms with government agencies and managing all aspects of the filing process. His practice spans a wide range of industries, including aerospace, defense, energy, telecommunications, financial services and technology. He brings particular depth to FOCI mitigation and compliance matters before the U.S. Departments of Defense and Energy, with hands-on experience negotiating mitigation agreements – including special security agreements, proxy agreements, security control agreements and FOCI board resolutions. Prior to joining Dechert, Mr. Reaves focused on national security, CFIUS and compliance matters at another global law firm.

Recognized consistently by Chambers USA for International Trade: CFIUS Experts throughout the past decade, Mr. Reaves is among a small group of practitioners with such depth and duration of recognition in this specialized field. He has been designated a Thought Leader in Foreign Investment Review by Lexology Index and is listed in Who's Who Legal for Foreign Investment Control – distinctions that reflect both peer recognition and client confidence.

Represented major corporations operating globally in the aerospace, defense and security sectors; provided advice and counsel concerning U.S. national security regulatory approvals for acquisitions, including export control compliance matters before the Department of State and the Department of Commerce.*
Advised one of the world's largest investment groups on a number of CFIUS transactions spanning a wide variety of industries, including oil and gas processing, mobile satellite services and telecom services, among others. The values of these deals range from the hundreds of millions to the billions.*
Represented a multinational chemical company before CFIUS and with respect to FOCI mitigation relating to a US$75 billion business combination with another entity.*
Represented a multinational pharmaceutical company before CFIUS with respect to a US$62 billion acquisition.*
Represented a U.S. human capital management (HCM) and employee experience solutions corporation before CFIUS on a US$11 billion transaction involving a consortium of acquirers.*
Obtained CFIUS clearance for a major Australian communications network regarding acquisition of a U.S. digital infrastructure company focused on fiber optic network solutions.*
Counseled a provider of diffusion and thermal-sprayed coatings for aerospace components in its sale to an Italian industrial coating equipment company.*
Provided CFIUS guidance for one of the world's largest private renewable energy companies in the acquisition of a clean energy company.*
Provided FOCI and related national security guidance to a global investment banking and financial services group in connection with a federal government technology services contract.*
Represented a global leader in engineering and manufacturing before CFIUS and the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) in its sale of a subsidiary to a Japanese manufacturer of electric motors.*
Provided FOCI mitigation and National Industrial Security Program: Operating Manual (NISPOM) compliance counsel to a foreign-owned U.S. electronics manufacturer following its successful completion of the CFIUS approval process.*
Established numerous FOCI mitigation arrangements in compliance with national industrial security regulations.*
Represented a major South Korean financial investment and banking company, providing CFIUS counsel for U.S. investments.*
Provided Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), FOCI and related national security guidance to an Irish engineering and design company and its telecommunications subsidiary doing business with the U.S. military.*
Provided CFIUS representation to a UK-based investment holding company in an acquisition of a multidisciplinary engineering, investigation and construction company.*
Obtained CFIUS clearance for an acquisition of an agricultural investment company.*
Guided a major renewable power producer in the acquisitions of a number of renewable energy projects in the U.S.*
Represented the world's largest supplier of commercial airplane assemblies and components; provided advice and counsel on national security issues related to its US$1.65 billion initial public offering and subsequent transactions.*
Represented a global leader in defense, security and infrastructure technology in the acquisition of a data analytics and cyber services provider to the U.S. intelligence community.*
Provided FOCI mitigation counsel to a US$30 billion entity in preparation for its acquisition by a major investment firm.*
Represented a German multinational corporation before CFIUS and DDTC in connection with the corporation's US$5 billion acquisition by a Chinese corporation – the largest acquisition of a German company by a Chinese investor and the first Chinese corporate acquisition of a publicly traded German company.*
Represented a major UK electronics firm before CFIUS in its acquisition of several U.S. defense businesses.*
Represented an Italian multinational electric power transmission and telecom cable manufacturer in a US$1.5 billion transaction before CFIUS; continued to counsel on matters involving export controls, general security, industrial security, U.S. sanctions and FOCI compliance.*
Represented foreign creditors to U.S. defense contractors in bankruptcy proceedings, including required filings and negotiation of risk mitigation controls.*
Represented a major Italian industrial group operating globally in aerospace, defense and security sectors; provided advice and counsel concerning CFIUS and U.S. national security regulatory approvals for acquisitions.*
Represented a major British defense company in numerous acquisitions of U.S. national security contractors, including a US$1.8 billion acquisition.*
Represented a major Italian industrial group in the US$5.2 billion acquisition of a major U.S. defense contractor requiring CFIUS approval.*
Provided CFIUS counsel to a major UK defense contractor for its purchase of a naval systems business.*
Represented one of the world's most prominent national pension plans, involving dozens of CFIUS and U.S. national security regulatory approvals for a variety of acquisitions.*
Represented a multinational information and analytics company in connection with national security matters.*
Represented a company engaged in research, development and production of launch vehicles and rocket systems in connection with national security matters.*
Advised a major European company engaged in the U.S. defense contractor market on matters of national security, foreign ownership, control and influence, export control compliance, government contracts, intellectual property, and corporate and employment issues.*
Represented a large UK defense contractor in reorganization efforts for its U.S. businesses, streamlining compliance requirements, consolidating FOCI mitigation and reducing duplicative costs.*
Represented one of the world's leading aerospace and defense electronics companies, providing advice and counsel in CFIUS and national security issues related to strategic foreign direct investment acquisitions in the U.S.*
Represented a private equity investor to structure control of portfolio companies to limit FOCI mitigation restrictions.*

Includes matters handled at Dechert or prior to joining the firm.