Michael E. Zolandz

Partner

Mike Zolandz is a partner in the Public Policy and Regulation practice and is practice leader for the Public Law and Policy Strategies team. Mike also heads the firm’s Political Law practice. He routinely advises nonprofits, global corporations and associations at the intersection of politics, policy, business and finance, with a particular emphasis on the Financial Institutions and Funds, Health and Life Sciences, and Manufacturing sectors.

In the business advisory arena, he specializes in cross-border transactions and regulations related to international commerce, particularly with respect to inbound foreign investment and US sanctions programs. Mike offers clients practical expertise and guidance in advising on US export controls, notification procedures under Exon-Florio (Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS) reviews, and application of US sanctions programs to joint venture agreements and investments throughout the Middle East and Asia. He also advises on complex federal marketing and legislative initiatives, and transactions that have significant political and policy implications, using his knowledge of the legislative process to maximize client opportunities.

Integrating with the Financial Crisis Special Situations Group, Mike advises financial services industry clients on the implications of market-changing events and offers real-time insight and analysis on the impacts of recent economic stabilization legislation. He offers political and legislative analysis to investment banks, hedge funds, private equity firms and other financial services industry participants on key developments and emerging trends in a number of industries, including energy, health care, automotive and banking.

Mike counsels on campaign finance and ethics law, lobbying disclosure requirements and pay-to-play restrictions, including the formation and management of federal and state political action committees, Securities and Exchange Commission and Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board rules related to investment advisors, and compliance programs for both lobbying disclosure and political activity. From strategy and formation of political committees and nonprofit advocacy entities, to developing compliance programs and managing federal and state enforcement issues, he offers clients the full range of political law solutions and counsel.

Representative Experience

• Advised US technology developers and software companies regarding US encryption export controls and sanctions programs.
• Counseled Global 500 insurance company on issues related to the implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
• Advised leading financial institutions on business and US legal considerations related to operations and joint ventures in the Middle East under US sanctions and anti-boycott laws
• Counseled international cellular conglomerate on promotion of business abroad and US foreign assistance
• Advised Indian and Chinese corporations on US legal requirements for investment in the US under the CFIUS process
• Advised multinational energy company on enforcement actions under federal and state campaign finance laws

Presentations

• "New Iran Sanctions: Global Risk and Regulatory Game Changer," Florida International Bankers Association, November 18, 2011

Publications

• Co-author, "Export Controls In Action: US V. Wang," Law360, January 11, 2012
• Co-contributor, "The New Regulatory Regime for Investment Advisers," Mondaq Business Briefing, December 31, 2010
• Co-contributor, "The Midterm Results and Their Impact on the 112th Congress," Bloomberg Law Reports, Congressional Monitor, Vol. 2, No. 6, December 27, 2010
• Co-contributor, "Global Risk Management in the New Iran Sanctions Landscape," Mondaq Business Briefing, November 16, 2010
• "SEC Enacts ‘Pay to Play’ Prohibitions for Investment Advisers," Mondaq Business Briefing, September 16, 2010
• "Dodd-Frank And The Future Of The Carbon Market," Law360, September 16, 2010
• "Storming the Ivory Tower: Renewing Breach of Contract Claims by Students Against Their Universities," George Washington Law Review, 2001

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