Christian Ford's practice is dedicated to government investigations, export control regulations, economic and trade sanctions, and national security matters, offering clients strategic guidance in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and enforcement actions. He defends US and global clients in high-stakes government investigations and enforcement involving economic sanctions and export controls, anti-money laundering (AML), and other regulatory issues. He also counsels companies operating in heavily regulated industries on regulatory compliance and national security matters, including chemicals, technology, life sciences, SaaS, energy, aerospace and defense, blockchain and financial services.
Prior to joining DLA Piper, Christian served as a federal prosecutor in the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, overseeing investigations and prosecutions focused on export controls, sanctions, money laundering, and other matters affecting US national security and foreign relations. During this time, Christian worked closely with a wide range of federal law enforcement agencies and key regulatory and enforcement bodies, including the Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and the Intelligence Community. This unique background and understanding of the interplay between civil, administrative and criminal investigations and enforcement – particularly involving the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and economic sanctions regulations – enables Christian to provide keen insights and counsel to his clients.
Christian later served as a Deputy Assistant Attorney General, where he advised the Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General, and Assistant Attorney General for Legal Policy on critical national security regulatory and law enforcement matters, shaping high-level strategies and policies in these areas.
Christian is a veteran and former Navy SEAL. He maintains an active pro bono practice advocating on behalf of military veterans.
