Michael, Robert Steven

Ronald I. Meltzer is a partner in the firm's Regulatory and Government Affairs Department, and a member of the Defense, National Security and Government Contracts and International Trade, Investment and Market Access Practice Groups. He joined the firm in 1989. Mr. Meltzer's practice focuses on licensing, compliance and enforcement matters relating to US export controls and economic sanctions. He also represents clients in customs and trade remedy cases. In addition, Mr. Meltzer has particular expertise in the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Practice

Mr. Meltzer has represented clients on all aspects of US export control and economic sanctions law, including the Export Administration Regulations, anti-boycott provisions, OFAC sanctions requirements, and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. His work includes due diligence reviews, transaction advice, licensing, corporate compliance programs, regulatory audits, voluntary disclosures and enforcement cases. Mr. Meltzer has extensive experience dealing with the US Department of State, US Department of Commerce and OFAC on these matters.

In addition, Mr. Meltzer has represented clients in numerous customs and trade remedy matters before the US Customs and Border Protection, Office of the US Trade Representative, US Department of Commerce and US International Trade Commission. He also has argued many cases before the US Court of International Trade and the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Recent Highlights

• Represented US and foreign clients in numerous BIS and DDTC licensing matters involving transfers of technology controlled under the EAR and ITAR, including the development of comprehensive technology transfer control programs to ensure ongoing compliance with such authorizations
• Represented US and foreign clients in designing and implementing product classification systems and internal license data bases to ensure ongoing compliance with EAR and ITAR licensing requirements
• Represented US and foreign clients in numerous internal investigations concerning EAR, ITAR and OFAC compliance requirements and in resolving enforcement cases relating to registration, licensing, administration of authorized agreements, deemed exports and reporting obligations
• Represented US and foreign clients in establishing export compliance programs applicable to all levels of operation, including foreign outsourcing, and in providing regularized compliance audits and training to domestic and foreign affiliates
• Represented US-based financial services and securities firms in developing risk-based OFAC compliance policies, including the design and implementation of risk assessments and screening programs applicable to different lines of business
• Represented US and foreign clients in obtaining OFAC licenses for exports of medical equipment and agricultural products to US-embargoed countries, including Cuba and Iran
• Represented US and foreign clients, including financial institutions, securities firms and investment banks, on OFAC issues applicable to complex M&A and financing transactions

Professional Activities

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Meltzer was a professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he published widely in the fields of US foreign economic relations, national security and international trade law. He previously worked on trade matters in the office of the Secretary of Commerce and for former Senator Bill Bradley, and has taught at the MARA Institut Teknologi in Malaysia and at American University's School of International Service. Mr. Meltzer is a member of the Washington Council of Human Rights First and the Washington Leadership Board of the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School.

Honors and Awards

• Ranked in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 editions of Chambers Global for his outstanding international trade: export control and economic sanctions practice
• Recognized as a national leader in international trade: export controls and economic sanctions in the 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 editions of Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business
• Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 in the area of international trade and finance law.