National Security & Global Trade Senior Attorney (DC)

DLA Piper; Washington; Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

DLA Piper seeks a senior attorney to join its National Security Global Trade practice in the Washington, DC office. The ideal candidate will have 4–7 years of experience in international trade compliance, export controls, sanctions, or related areas, and work on corporate transactions.

This non-partner track role offers hybrid in-office and remote work with opportunities to advance within a leading global law firm.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4–7 years of legal experience in international trade compliance and related areas.
• Experience conducting trade due diligence in corporate transactions (M&A, investments).
• Knowledge of EAR, ITAR, OFAC and customs laws.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support due diligence reviews for corporate transactions involving global trade compliance risks.
• Identify and communicate trade compliance risks and remediation strategies during diligence.
• Draft and review transaction documents and compliance-related provisions.
• Monitor developments in U.S. and international trade enforcement trends.
• Collaborate with deal teams and outside counsel to ensure timely execution of workstreams.
• Contribute to development of trade diligence playbooks, checklists and SOPs.

Skills

International trade compliance

Export controls

Economic sanctions

M&A due diligence

Regulatory analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

JD from an accredited law school

Job description

DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive. Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm. Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career. Let’s see what we can achieve. Together.

Summary

DLA Piper is seeking a senior attorney to join its National Security Global Trade practice. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 4-7 years of relevant legal experience in international trade compliance, export controls, economic sanctions, or a closely related practice area. This is a non-partner track position and is open to our Washington, DC office.

Responsibilities

The senior attorney will assist with and specialize in the following areas:

• Trade Diligence : Lead and support due diligence reviews for corporate transactions (M&A, EGVC, PE, Investment Funds) involving global trade compliance risks, including export controls (EAR, ITAR), economic sanctions (OFAC), and customs regulations.
• Risk Assessment: Identify, analyze, and communicate trade compliance risks and liabilities uncovered during diligence, and develop practical remediation strategies for integration planning; seek specialist input as needed.
• Corporate Workflow Support: Assist with broader corporate transactional workflow, including drafting and reviewing transaction documents, disclosure schedules, representations and warranties, and compliance-related provisions.
• Regulatory Analysis: Monitor and advise on developments in U.S. and international trade and enforcement trends that may affect ongoing transactions or portfolio companies.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with deal teams and outside counsel to ensure seamless execution of trade diligence workstreams within broader transaction timelines.
• Policy & Process Development: Contribute to the development and refinement of trade diligence playbooks, checklists, templates, and standard operating procedures to enhance team efficiency and consistency.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4–7 years of relevant legal experience in international trade compliance, export controls, economic sanctions, or a closely related practice area.
• Demonstrated experience conducting trade compliance due diligence in the context of M&A or other corporate transactions.
• Strong working knowledge of the EAR, ITAR, OFAC sanctions regulations, and customs laws.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and deliver high-quality work product under demanding deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex regulatory issues into clear, actionable advice.

Education

• JD from an accredited law school.

Bar Admission

• District of Columbia

Essential Job Expectations

While the specific job requirements of a DLA Piper position may vary depending upon scope of the job and area of specialty, there are certain universal requirements that are expected of all DLA Piper employees, which include but are not limited to:

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties;
• Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner;
• Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product;
• Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required;
• Foster positive work relationships;
• Comply with all firm policies and practices;
• Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c) participating in meetings as needed;
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment;
• Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.

Our employees are expected to embrace and uphold our firm values as a part of our DLA Piper culture. We are committed to excellence in how we represent our clients and develop our people.

Physical Demands

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment-The firm’s work location requirements may be modified at the firm’s discretion

• Hybrid - Regular in-office presence with some flexibility for work-from-home

Disclaimer

The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm’s discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at-will nature of employment.

Pay Transparency

The firm’s expected hiring range for this position is $200,000- $400,000per year depending on the candidate’s geographic market location. The compensation offered for employment will also be dependent on other factors including the candidate’s experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k).

Applicants who are not based in the jurisdiction in which this position is posted and who apply for this role are doing so voluntarily and are not eligible for relocation assistance. Any relocation benefits, if any, are provided only where a relocation is required at the firm’s direction and in accordance with applicable policy and law.

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DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Job applicant poster viewing center.