Jorge Vera is a seasoned international trade and sanctions lawyer who has held significant roles as in-house counsel for leading aerospace and defense, as well as oil and gas companies. He has expertly managed complex export controls, sanctions, customs, and investment issues in commercial and defense sectors. Jorge has a keen ability to navigate intricate regulatory environments and provide practical compliance solutions.

 

Jorge's comprehensive international experience spans on-site projects in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. He has a proven track record of working with multinational corporations in industries such as aerospace, energy, banking & finance, and technology, ensuring adherence to U.S. and international regulations. His expertise includes advising clients on investment reviews, law enforcement investigations, remediation efforts, and the development or enhancement of trade compliance programs.

 

Early in his career, Jorge honed his trade and policy skills with the Americas office of the United States Trade Representative, the government affairs group of a major tobacco company, and as a Michael Gadbaw Fellow at General Electric.

 

In addition to his professional achievements, Jorge often shares his knowledge at speaking engagements and through publications on international trade and compliance topics. His contributions to the field have established him as a respected counsel and a valuable asset to Jacobson Burton Kelley PLLC.

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Representative Experience

 

Export Controls

 

• Served as the principal counsel for a major A&D company on all export controls aspects of its defense and commercial businesses, including unmanned aerial vehicle and space programs.

• Conducted jurisdiction & classification assessments for companies in the aerospace, defense, satellite, electronics, encryption, and oil & gas industries.

• Revamped the trade compliance program of a major Chinese telecommunications company, including its ERP and PLM systems.

• Filed authorization requests for several companies with the Bureau of Industry and Security and Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.

• Assisted Silicon Valley company with hardware exports to several Latin American countries.

• Audited a major A&D company’s compliance program as part of its consent agreement with DDTC.

• Engaged with the FBI, BIS, DOJ, HSI, and other government agencies to handle requests for information and subpoenas.

 

 Sanctions

 

• Advised major A&D company during its exit from the Russian market

• Counseled non-US commercial air carrier on its desired expansion to Cuba

• Counseled medical devices company on license exceptions for its line of products

• Filed license requests with the Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control

• Advised clients on risks associated with specially designated nationals (SDNs) and blocked persons, as well as selective, and secondary sanctions.

• Conducted review of complex ownership structures to ascertain potential risks of engaging with

• sanctioned party

• Counseled on reporting obligations for companies engaging with problematic entities

 

Customs & Enforcement

 

• Conducted investigations and filed prior disclosures to Customs and Border Patrol

• Filed voluntary self-disclosures with the Census Bureau to resolve potential violations of the Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR)

• Assisted companies in gaining Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) status

• Counseled on rules of origin and significant transformation inquiries

 

CFIUS

 

• Represented sellers and buyers in the filing of declarations and notices with CFIUS

• Conducted CFIUS-mandated audits of the mitigation measures placed on a major technology company as part of a compromise to sell one of its business units

 

Education

J.D., American University Washington College of Law (with honors)

B.S., Rutgers University

 

Admissions

New York

District of Columbia

 

Courts

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Court of International Trade

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