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About Darren P. Riley

Darren Riley is a founding member of Riley Trade Law PLLC. Mr. Riley has extensive experience advising clients on matters involving U.S. export controls and government contracts issues. He counsels clients on issues related to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, Export Administration Regulations, the regulations of the Office of Foreign Assets Control and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

An Experienced Attorney

Mr. Riley headshot
Mr. Riley assists clients with understanding and complying with the anti-bribery restrictions imposed by the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. He has assisted clients with developing and establishing company practices and guidance to ensure that business activities comply with the requirements of the FCPA and preparing guidance. Mr. Riley also has extensive experience counseling clients in the area of government contracts and commercial transactions concerning the Federal Acquisition Regulations (“FAR”) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (“DFARS”) regulations. He has conducted due diligence in connection with mergers and acquisitions involving government contractors and counseled clients on the potential government contract compliance risks and liabilities associated with the transactions.

Prior to forming Riley Trade Law PLLC, Mr. Riley worked at a large Washington, DC law firm assisting clients in the areas of export controls, government contracts, and commercial transactions.

Extensive Experience

Mr. Riley has extensive experience advising high technology, defense industry and other clients about U.S. export control laws and other applicable statutes and regulations in connection with:

  • Identifying, reviewing and voluntarily disclosing to the U.S. Departments of State and Commerce violations of the U.S. export control laws
  • Conducting compliance audits and designing appropriate remedial measures, training, policies, and procedures that satisfy regulatory requirements
  • Classifying and determining the appropriate export jurisdiction for products, technology, and services;
  • Developing and implementing export compliance systems and practices
  • Applying for and obtaining export and trade authorizations from the U.S. Departments of State and Commerce and the Office of Foreign Assets Control
  • Assisting companies with understanding and navigating U.S. regulations limiting exports of encryption commodities and technologies
  • Assisting U.S. companies and their foreign subsidiaries with understanding the limitations on doing business with countries subject to U.S. embargoes
  • Conducting export control due diligence related to mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures and assessing potential compliance risks and liabilities associated with such transactions
  • Designing and implementing training programs for company officers and employees that provide an understanding of export control laws and the risks associated with noncompliance

Membership & Affiliations

Education
  • Howard University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2000
  • Columbia University Teachers College, M.A., 1996
  • Washington University in St. Louis, B.A., 1994
Bar Admissions
  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
Court Admissions
  • Maryland Court of Appeals
Professional Affiliations
  • Member, The Defense Trade Advisory Group (DTAG), U.S. Department of State, 2020-2022
  • Past member, Steering Committee Export Controls and Economic Sanctions Committee, American Bar Association, International Law Section
  • Treasurer, National Bar Association, International Law Section
  • National Bar Association, Commercial Law Section
  • Member, National Council on International Trade Development
  • Member, Society for International Affairs

Publications and Speaking

  • Speaker, “Your Building Blocks for ITAR Proficiency, Module 2, Part II: Foreign, Dual and Third Country Nationals, and Technology Transfers”, American Conference Institute (April 2021)
  • Speaker, “Your Building Blocks for ITAR Proficiency, Module 1, Part I: Compliance Roadmap & Classification”, American Conference Institute (April 2021)
  • Speaker, “The Changing World of U.S. Export Controls 2020”, Virtual Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (December 2020)
  • Speaker, “Helping Small Businesses Understand and Apply for COVIDE-19 Stimulus Funds”, National Bar Association Government Procurement Law Section Webinar (August 2020)
  • Speaker, “International Practice of Law – Emerging Topics in International Trade, FCPA, International Transactions and Arbitration”, National Bar Association Annual Conference (July 2020)
  • Speaker, “U.S. Export Controls 2018 – Trade Compliance Challenges in Training and Simulation Continue”, Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (December 2018)
  • Speaker, “An Operational View of Export Control Reform”, American Association of Exporters & Importers, Annual Conference (June 2017)
  • Speaker, “Cloud Computing & Data Security in Practice: How Industry in Canada is Addressing the Latest gray Areas in U.S. and Canadian Regulatory Guidance”, American Conference Institute (January 2017)
  • Speaker, “How to Apply for ITAR Authorizations”, International Compliance Professionals Association, Annual Conference (March 2016)
  • Moderator, “Commercialization of Space and the Changing U.S. Export Regulations”, ABA Section of International Law Program, (January 2016)
  • Conference Director, Society for International Affairs Fall Advanced Conference (November 2015)
  • Speaker, “A Crash Course in U.S. Re-export & Re-transfer Compliance in Canada: how to Implement New, Tricky EAR and ITAR Requirements, and Secure Authorizations”, American Conference Institute (January 2015)
  • Speaker, “Export Control Reform: Classification and Practical Application”, ICPA Annual Conference (February 2014)
  • Speaker, “U.S. Export Controls 2013 – Continued Change for International Modeling/Simulation”, Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (December 2013)
  • Speaker, “Export Enforcement Issues”, Export Compliance Training Institute (April 2013)
  • Speaker, “Identifying ITAR-Controlled Technical Data and Defense Services”, American Conference Institute (October 2012)
  • Speaker, “How to Prepare ITAR Licenses and Agreements that Meet DDTC and DTSA Expectations”, American Conference Institute (October 2012)
  • Speaker, “Classifying Dual-Use Items: A Comprehensive How-To Guide on Classification Post-New Commerce Munitions List and USML-CCL Migration”, American Conference Institute (May 2012)
  • Speaker, “Voluntary Self-Disclosures with Census”, American Bar Association International Law Section Spring Meeting (April 2012)
  • Speaker, “Export Control Reform: Implications for Industry”, Massachusetts Export Center Export Expo (December 2011)
  • Speaker, “Drafting and Implementing TCPs and TTCPs: Lessons Learned from Real Life Scenarios”, American Conference Institute (September 2011)
  • Speaker, “Training Your Sales, Engineering, Purchasing and Other Teams to Support Your ITAR Compliance Efforts”, American Conference Institute (February 2011)
  • Speaker, “Preparing and Managing ITAR Licenses and Agreements: How to Meet DDTC Expectations for DSP-5s, TAAs and MLAs”, American Conference Institute (February 2011)
  • Speaker, “The Fundamentals of U.S. Export Controls”, American Conference Institute (May 2009)
  • Coauthor, “Putting Your Best Foot Forward – Obtaining ITAR and EAR Authorizations Quickly and Efficiently,” Beyond Virginia (April 2009)
  • Conference Chair, Society for International Affairs Winter 2009 Back to Basics Defense Trade Export Licensing Conference (March 2009)
  • Speaker, “Basics of Import/Export Control & Compliance,” Society for International Affairs Summer 2008 Back to Basics Defense Trade Export Licensing Conference (July 2008)
  • Coauthor, “To Disclose or Not to Disclose,” Beyond Virginia (March 2008)
  • Coauthor, “Open Source Software and U.S. Export Laws,” The Export Practitioner (February 2008)
  • Coauthor, “Deemed Exports – How to Export Without Leaving the U.S.,” Beyond Virginia (October 2007)
  • Coauthor, “Consent Agreements: Tools of Last Resort? A Basic Understanding/Primer,” Global Watch (May/June 2007)
  • Coauthor, “Be Prepared: The Risks of Inadequate Export Recordkeeping,” Global Watch (July/August 2006)
  • Coauthor, “Deemed Exports Under EAR Are Still Risky Proposition,” The Export Practitioner (July 2006)
  • Contributor, “Customs and Border Protection Handbook,” Society for International Affairs (March 2005)

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