We help clients navigate and overcome complex legal challenges

What We Do:

The Eren Law Firm is a leading economic sanctions boutique law firm based in Washington, DC, comprised of lawyers who have served at the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the US State Department. We are one of the world’s preeminent and most experienced firms in the area of economic sanctions.

Mr. Eren and Mr. Pinter advise and represent financial institutions, financial services companies, shipping and maritime interests, and other clients with respect to all aspects of OFAC-administered economic sanctions as well as US anti-money laundering (AML) laws and regulations. They also design OFAC and AML compliance programs, conduct risk assessments for clients, and represent clients in, among other matters applications for OFAC licenses (such as for the unblocking of funds and accounts and authorization for prohibited transactions), OFAC and State Department interpretations, SDN list removal petitions, sanctions, and anti-money laundering enforcement proceedings, and in sanctions-related litigation and arbitration.

In addition to economic sanctions, The Eren Law Firm’s other areas of concentration and practice include corporate transactions, international dispute resolution, and international trade regulation. The Firm’s clients from around the world include banks and financial institutions; insurance, reinsurance, and other financial services companies; natural resource extraction companies; industrial companies, marine, and air transportation companies, ship owners; sovereign governments; foreign state enterprises; individuals and persons on the SDN List.

Since leaving OFAC, Mr. Eren and Mr. Pinter have devoted and continue to devote most of their time in private practice to economic sanctions issues and matters, particularly those involving Iran, Russia, and Venezuela. Mr. Pinter was OFAC’s Chief of Licensing for 17 years, during which time he was the chief arbiter of major OFAC decisions. Mr. Eren’s portfolio at the Treasury mainly involved issues and matters related to Iran and the succesor states to the former Yugoslavia and Serbia, and Montenegro.

Complemented by Mr. Comras, who during his tenure at the State Department was the Director of Economic Sanctions Policy, the Firm provides clients with a unique insight and perspective on the policies underlying sanctions and help clients see big-picture sanctions issues.

Our Expertise

Conducting business presents complex challenges and doing business internationally adds complexity and demands the navigation of not only domestic law and law of other countries in which business is or may be conducted, but also any current treaties, agreements, and restrictions on trade and finance by economic sanctions. Laws and regulations may change during the course of a business transaction or investment project. If your organization currently operates internationally or is considering expanding beyond the borders of the US, then it is critical to have lawyers on your side who have the requisite international knowledge and skill to advise on the best course of action.

The Eren Law Firm is comprised of senior lawyers who possess unrivaled experience and knowledge and respected reputations. This legal expertise comes paired with knowledge and understanding of the business of their clients as well as an understanding and keen appreciation of how laws and regulations impact that business.

We assist clients with respect to, among other things:

  • Laws and regulations governing economic sanctions
  • Unblocking of frozen funds and other assets
  • Obtaining exceptions/ licenses for transactions and activities that are prohibited
  • Risk Assessments
  • The regulatory framework impacting our client’s business
  • Knowledge of Prohibitions and Restrictions Affecting our clients and their activities (sanctions, export, and other trade controls)
  • Vigorous Enforcement Defense, Resolution of Disputes (litigation, arbitration)
  • Public and Private International Law (g., Bilateral Investment Treaties; conflicts of law)

Contractual disputes between organizations or authorities in multiple countries can raise issues such as choice of law, interpretation of foreign law, and the enforcement of judgments. However, a carefully constructed contract can play a critical role, reduce risks, and give your business with distinct advantages. For example, parties can include a clause indicating their choice of jurisdiction, i.e., where they would like any future dispute to be litigated. Your lawyer will craft agreements that include forum selection that is favorable to the needs and wants of your organization. There are limits, however, on the freedom of contract that parties are given to include terms into their agreement. For example, clauses indicating where the parties to a contract want their disputes to be litigated may not always be controlling depending on the laws of the jurisdiction(s) involved and/or the nature of the dispute.

Further, even after taking feasible precautions when it comes to the formation of a contract, your organization may still run into trouble after the fact. Contractual disputes can arise for a few different reasons—a difference in interpretation of a material term of the contract by the parties, a change in circumstances in one or both of the parties, a manifest breach of contract, or a change in the applicable law governing the contract due to the actions of a sovereign or multiple sovereigns. Whatever contractual challenge you may be facing, an experienced international contract attorney can help you navigate through difficult times by framing your arguments in such a way as to maximize your chances of reaching your goals within the constraints of the law.

We are on your side

International issues are complex. The treaties, agreements, and sanctions which govern the trade and investment actives of your business that govern your business’s trade and investment activities can be affected by changes in leadership, political unrest, conflicts, pandemics, and many other unforeseen circumstances. The Failure to comply with relevant regulations can result in fines, sanctions, financial/economic loss, reputational damage, and other negative adverse outcomes, yet such changes can make compliance difficult. We provide you with the knowledge and experience to make the best decisions to protect and advance your business, efficiently.

The lawyers at the Eren Firm are recognized for their unrivaled experience in dealing with trans-jurisdictional and international matters. To benefit from The Eren Law Firm’s experience and expertise, please reach out via email or call at +1 202 429 9883.

Economic Sanctions, Anti-Money Laundering, Export Controls

The Eren Law Firm is comprised of lawyers with experience in the US Treasury Department (OFAC), the US State Department, and the US Justice Department. Collectively, all of our lawyers combined have more than 75 years of experience dealing with international banking and financial issues such as those which arise under economic sanctions and anti-money laundering laws.

We advise and represent clients in all aspects of US economic sanctions, US anti-money laundering laws, as well as US export controls, and other US financial/trade regulatory matters. Most importantly, we advise our clients of the complain expectations of OFAC and other regulators.

Our core areas of competence are economic/financial sanctions and export controls.

We help clients comply with complex US, EU, UK, and multilateral UN economic sanctions, as well as laws and regulations and government policy governing sanctions. We assist clients in cases involving, among other things:

  • Requests for legal opinions
  • The conduct of due diligence
  • Release of blocked or frozen funds/assets
  • The design of compliance programs and due diligence protocols
  • OFAC license applications and other requests for relief, such as interpretive guidance and exceptions to otherwise prohibited or restricted trade and transactions
  • The defense of clients in enforcement proceedings
  • Removal from the OFAC SDN list
  • Exports and reexports (commercial, dual-use, and military items, and “deemed exports”)

International Litigation and International Arbitration

Businesses invest and transact globally, but foreign investments and transactions carry risks, including the insufficient legal protection in emerging economies. Bilateral and multilateral trade agreements have provided some protection, but our clients depend on our expertise to obtain a fair resolution of any disputes in court or in arbitration.

In addition to helping clients resolve international disputes, we help clients prevent disputes in the first place. We analyze all relevant issues to ensure that our clients make well-informed decisions and take advantage of all relevant protections. Our lawyers have a combined 75 years of experience in the area of economic sanctions.

The lawyers at the Eren Firm are recognized for their unrivaled experience in dealing with trans-jurisdictional and international matters. To benefit from The Eren Law Firm’s experience and expertise, please reach out via email or call +1 202 429 9883.

Recent Representative Experience

  • In a London arbitration involving blocked cargo on board a US controlled vessel, Hal Eren served as independent and neutral expert on US economic sanctions law order to enable the Tribunal to reach a full informed and accurate decision.
  • Advised a significant US industrial/manufacturer in its co-development with Westinghouse of new technology to be utilized in the nuclear power generation sector. Negotiated contract with Westinghouse and advised on contractual language.
  • Designed and collateralized US economic sanctions compliance programs and conducted a risk assessment for two major protection and indemnity insurers
  • Designed and helped to implement a comprehensive US economic sanctions and export control compliance program for the world’s largest courier company
  • Advised Chinese shipowners and charterers regarding the impact of US secondary sanctions on specific voyages
  • Advised and represented (in conjunction with Canadian counsel) a European company regarding its acquisition of certain assets in Canada
  • Advised and represented (in conjunction with Moroccan counsel) a European client with respect to divestiture from its investments in Morocco
  • Advised the world’s largest independent oil trader on the global risks of its compliance program
  • Retained by a major US financial services company to conduct an internal investigation and assess its existing sanctions compliance program, followed by an overhaul of the company’s compliance program
  • Provided ongoing US economic sanctions compliance advice (Iran, Syria, Cuba, Sudan, and SDNs) on the permissibility of transactions and activities for several US, European, and Middle Eastern financial institutions, including the credit union of the United Nations
  • Defended and resolved enforcement matters for a major US and Canada-based manufacturer of construction equipment
  • Settled an enforcement matter for a significant Dubai-based money transmitter in which the OFAC rescinded a $9 million pre-penalty notice
  • Advised a client on its sanctions compliance program and the possible outcome and the impact of a pending OFAC enforcement action before the company’s US IPO
  • Prepared disclosures to the SEC on behalf of a Greek ship owner’s activities in or with Iran
  • Advised a client and its lender on its sanctions compliance program and on warranties, undertakings, and covenants limiting the use of funds in countries subject to US sanctions
  • Advised a business on the suitability of a listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in light of its past transactions with Iran
  • Advised a major US insurer regarding SEC Iran OGSR and Section 219 disclosure requirements
  • Represented the CEO of an African natural resources company in connection with his appearance on the OFAC SDN list and petitioned successfully for his removal from the list
  • Helped obtain OFAC licenses for two companies exporting and re-exporting US origin aircraft and engines to Iran and Burma (Myanmar)
  • Represented a South Korean company before the OFAC for the release of blocked funds and, in a subsequent post-release of funds, a dispute about ownership of funds associated with an international funds transfer, obtained judgment in Federal Court, recovering all funds against the US blocking bank and competing claimant in client’s favor
  • Defended an Iranian national accused of conspiring to violate the US sanctions against Iran; the case was dismissed (criminal prosecution)
  • Defended an Asian company against potential criminal indictment for violating sanctions laws against Iran and convinced the DOJ not to pursue a criminal case
  • Defended an Iranian citizen in connection with his arrest in France and the US subsequent request for his extradition related to charges of violating US sanctions against Iran
  • Drafted and submitted an expert legal opinion to an Amsterdam court with respect to whether US economic sanctions due diligence regarding oil trades conducted by two ABN Amro Group NV bankers in Dubai was proper and required; the legal opinion, submitted on behalf of the bankers, resulted in a victory and $1.41 million in compensation
  • Served as an expert witness in a Stockholm arbitration proceeding resolving a dispute arising out of US economic sanctions between a
  • Finnish company and the German subsidiary of a major US industrial company
  • Served as an expert witness in a US federal criminal trial of a US citizen accused of violating the US sanctions against an SDN
  • Advised a US and Chinese company in connection with the Chinese company’s purchase of certain US assets (CFIUS-Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States)
  • Provide regular advice to several US companies on compliance with sanctions against Russia
  • Obtained OFAC licenses for oil rigs previously deployed in Iran
  • Advise a significant US litigation law firm on compliance with Iran sanctions
  • Regularly represent companies and individuals for OFAC licensing of their blocked funds
  • Represent entities against US dollar-clearing banks for wrongful blocking
  • Represent several Russian entities and individuals and work with their Russian lawyers regarding removal from the SDN List