A member of the National Security and White Collar Defense and Criminal Investigations practice groups, David J. Ribner’s practice focuses on counseling US and non-US clients on international trade and investment regulatory matters, including inbound and outbound investment laws and economics sanctions and import/export compliance. His clients span a variety of industries, with a focus on companies operating in the technology and energy sectors.
David leads the firm’s Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) practice, and has served as CFIUS counsel to parties spanning the globe and across myriad industries. In addition, David represents clients concerning the U.S. Outbound Investment Security Program.
David also counsels clients on compliance with U.S. economic sanctions, export controls, the U.S. Data Security Program, regulations governing information and communication technology and services (ICTS), import/customs laws, and antiboycott regulations, as well as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). He advises on the development and implementation of related corporate compliance programs, and when potential violations of such laws arise, he conducts internal investigations and represents clients in enforcement matters involving the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commerce, the Treasury Department, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
David is consistently recognized by Chambers as a CFIUS expert and he has also been recommended as a Rising Star for International Trade: CFIUS by The Legal 500 US and named to Global Competition Review, Foreign Investment Control’s “40 Under 40,” which recognizes the world’s top foreign investment lawyers under age 40. David frequently speaks and publishes on topics related to international trade.
Representative CFIUS Experience
- IBM in connection with multiple transactions, including the sale of its x86 server business to Lenovo, the sale of its global semiconductor manufacturing business to GLOBALFOUNDRIES, and the sale of select IBM software products to HCL Technologies
- Mitsui & Co. in connection with its acquisition of Spaceflight, Inc., a space launch rideshare company, and its investment in Airspan Networks Inc., a communications equipment company
- A European multinational company in connection with CFIUS matters involving multiple acquisitions of US physical and logical access control and security equipment businesses
- DigitalGlobe, Inc. in its acquisition by Macdonald, Dettweiler and Associates Ltd.
- OMERS Infrastructure, the infrastructure investment manager of the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System, in the US$800 million sale of portfolio company Airports Worldwide to Vinci Airports, a subsidiary of Vinci Group
- Mentor Graphics Corporation in its US$4.5 billion acquisition by Siemens Industry, Inc., a leader in global technology, focusing on the areas of electrification, automation, and digitalization
- Analogix Semiconductor in its acquisition by Beijing Shanhai Capital Management Co, Ltd.
- A buyer consortium led by Yunfeng Capital, TF Capital and Tony (Bizuo) Liu, in a going private transaction involving Cellular Biomedicine Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBMG).
Representative Economic Sanctions & Export Control Experience
- Conducted internal investigations relating to potential violations of economic sanction laws, antiboycott laws and, the Export Administration Regulations (EAR)
- Represented U.S. and non-U.S. companies in enforcement matters arising from potential violations of economic sanctions, export control, and customs laws, including assisting clients in responding to subpoenas and other information requests from the Department of Justice, the SEC, the Commerce Department’s Office of Export Enforcement, the State Department, and OFAC, and in settling pending enforcement matters before such agencies
- Conducted assessments and audits of economic sanctions and export control compliance programs in a variety of industries
- Advised on the development and implementation of corporate compliance programs in the areas of export controls, economic sanctions, customs, and the antiboycott laws
- Represented US and non-US companies in obtaining a range of authorizations, licenses and advisory opinions under the EAR, the ITAR, as well as the economic sanctions regulations governing trade with Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, and Syria
- Advised on the consequences of changes in economic sanctions laws, including Russia/Ukraine, Iran and Cuba sanctions programs
Representative FCPA Experience
- In response to FCPA inquiries from the U.S. government, conducted an investigation for a leading tech company of the company’s operations in numerous countries across Asia, Africa, and South America
- Represented former corporate executive of Brazilian company in connection with DOJ investigation into FCPA violations regarding alleged bribes to state-owned enterprise
- Represented former corporate executives of Brazilian company in connection with DOJ investigation regarding alleged payments to political officials
Admissions
Bar Admissions
- District of Columbia
- New York
Education
- Georgetown University, J.D.
- King's College London, University of London M.A.
- Columbia University, B.A.
Honors & Awards
- Ranked by Chambers USA for International Trade: CFIUS Experts (2024-2025); Chambers Global for International Trade: CFIUS Experts (2022-2025); Named “Up & Coming” by Chambers USA for International Trade: CFIUS Experts (2021-2023)
- Recommended by The Legal 500 US for International Trade: CFIUS (2024); Named a Rising Star (2023); Recommended by The Legal 500 US for International Trade (2020-2022)
- Recommended by Who's Who Legal for Foreign Investment Control (2024)
- Named to the “40 Under 40” list by Global Competition Review, Foreign Investment Control (2023)
- Named to the Washington, DC Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers (2016-2019, 2023)
Professional Activities
Speaker
- Panelist, “Next-Generation AI Silicon: Investment Strategy and Market Trends,” Chinese American Semiconductor Professional Association (CASPA) and Silicon Valley Taiwan Angels (June 2025)
- Presenter, “National Security Innovation,” Texas Venture Gala & Forum: Blueprint for the Future (May 2025)
- Speaker, “Legal Considerations for Startups in 2025 – Trade, Investment, and Compliance,” Silicon Catalyst Spring 2025 Portfolio Company Update CEO Colloquium (May 2025)
- Speaker, “Trade and Investment in the Trump 2.0 Era,” Monte Jade West Science and Technology Association (April 2025)
- Presenter, “Navigating U.S. Foreign Investment Regulations: CFIUS and Investment in Biotech and Life Sciences,” 2024 MedInvest Biotech and Pharma Investor Conference (September 2024)
- Presenter, “CFIUS and Indian Investors,” AllianceIndus Foundation Conference (September 2024)
- Panelist, “US Economic Sanctions and the Impact on the Global Oil and Gas Industry,” Institute for Energy Law (May 2024)
- Panelist, “The Interplay of Economic Sanctions and Export Controls: Unraveling the Complexities of Compliance, Due Diligence and Monitoring,” 18th Annual Economic Sanctions Enforcement and Compliance Conference (May 2024)
- Panelist, "Hot Compliance Issues-Russia Sanctions," State Bar of Texas, 21st Annual Course-Advanced In-House Counsel (August 2022)
- Presenter, “U.S.-China Venture Capital: Trends and Regulatory Challenges,” AmCham Shanghai (January 2020)
- Presenter, “CFIUS for Startups and Investors,” Silicon Catalyst Angels (December 2019)
- Panelist, “Everything Old is New Again: CFIUS and FIRRMA – How Will the Potential Changes Affect FDI in Your Company?” 97th Annual AAEI Conference and Expo (June 2018)
Publications
- “Tougher Stance on Chinese Investments Comes at a Cost,” The Hill (August 2018)
Client Alerts (Most Recent)
- “Economic Sanctions Relief for Syria Provides Opportunities and Risks for U.S. Companies,” O’Melveny National Security Alert (June 2025)
- “Department of Justice Announces Enforcement Priorities and Measures to Ease Burdens on Corporations Facing Government Investigations,” National Security Alert (May 2025)
- “Trump Administration Modifies Direction of Regulating AI Chips,” O’Melveny National Security Alert (May 2025)
- “DOJ Declines Prosecution of Company Following Voluntary Self-Disclosure and Cooperation in Export Control Matter,” O’Melveny National Security Alert (May 2025)
- “Trade Investigations of Semiconductor and Pharmaceutical Sectors Present Opportunities, but Potentially More Tariffs,” O’Melveny National Security Alert (April 2025)
- “Managing Risks on the Tariff Roller Coaster Ride,” O’Melveny National Security Alert (April 2025)
- “Significant New Tariffs on All U.S. Imports Create New Challenges for Companies Engaging in International Trade,” O’Melveny National Security Alert (April 2025)
- “Trump Administration Issues “America First Investment Policy”,” O’Melveny National Security Alert (February 2025)
- “DOJ Announces Dramatic Shift in Enforcement Priorities and Resources, Potentially Reshaping White-Collar Enforcement Landscape,” O’Melveny National Security Alert (February 2025)
- “Implications of the Trump Administration’s Tariff Executive Orders for U.S. Importers,” O’Melveny National Security Alert (February 2025)
- “New Executive Order Targeting Cartels Could Increase Enforcement Risks for U.S. Companies Operating in Mexico,” O’Melveny National Security Alert (January 2025)
- “National Security-Driven Restrictions on Cross-Border Trade and Investment: Continuity or Change in Direction with the Incoming Administration?,” O’Melveny National Security Alert (January 2025)
- “Biden Administration Issues More Restrictions on Advanced Chips and AI Models,” O’Melveny National Security Alert (January 2025)
- “Biden Administration Implements New Outbound Investment Security Program,” O’Melveny National Security Alert (January 2025)
Related Practices
Related Industries