DLA Piper continues to expand its National Security and Global Trade practice with the addition of Adam Vaccaro

DLA Piper further strengthens its National Security and Global Trade practice with the addition of Partner Adam Vaccaro, a nationally recognized authority in investment security with more than a decade of senior government service. He will be based in the Washington, DC office.

Vaccaro most recently served as the Director of the Office of Investment Security at the Department of Commerce, where he focused on matters related to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). During his tenure, Vaccaro led national security reviews of foreign investments and was one of the primary authors of the Outbound Investment Security Program – a regulatory initiative that oversees certain US investment in foreign technologies, including semiconductors, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence.

“Given the significance of US national security priorities to global trade and investment, Adam’s extensive first-hand experience in CFIUS and investment security programs will help our clients, both domestic and foreign, navigate these complex issues and better achieve their business outcomes,” said John Gilluly, US Vice Chair and Head of DLA Piper’s Transactional practices.

Vaccaro also brings prior experience with the Department of the Treasury, the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and in federal consulting, where he worked on sanctions, illicit finance, proliferation-related matters, and investment screening.

“Adam’s arrival marks another milestone in the expansion of our practice, further enhancing our capabilities to deliver practical and actionable solutions for clients facing high-stakes national security and trade challenges,” said Nicholas Klein, Co-Chair of DLA Piper’s National Security and Global Trade practice.

“Adam brings exceptional insight from his service as the Commerce Department’s lead for investment security – deep knowledge and experience that enhances our practice and greatly benefits our clients in light of the global regulatory environment’s heightened emphasis on the national security implications of cross-border investment,” said Christine Daya, Co-Chair of DLA Piper’s National Security and Global Trade practice.

Vaccaro adds to the firm’s leading National Security and Global Trade practice. In the past year, the firm has welcomed Mike Walsh, former Chief of Staff and acting General Counsel at the Department of Commerce; Brian Janovitz, former USTR Chief Counsel for Trade Enforcement Strategy and Competitiveness and Director for International Economics at the National Security Council and National Economic Council; Elyssa Kutner, a US customs partner; and Jana del-Cerro, an export controls partner formerly with the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (all Washington, DC).

DLA Piper’s National Security and Global Trade practice guides businesses, investors, and governments through the strategic decisions, regulatory frameworks, and disputes involving international trade and cross-border investment. By combining legal and business acumen with political insight, the team advises clients on compliance, licensing, enforcement, and cross-border transactions related to investment security, export controls, sanctions, customs, trade policy, and geopolitical risk. Backed by experienced professionals and an international presence, the practice offers strategic solutions that help manage risk and achieve commercial objectives.