Ken Nunnenkamp represents clients in international trade and national security matters before United States federal courts and government agencies, including the US departments of State, Commerce, Homeland Security, Defense, and Treasury. His practice involves internal investigations and disclosures, including voluntary disclosures and responding to government demands, as well as federal court defense against government actions. He also advises on compliance counseling and training, transactional due diligence–including both domestic and cross-border transactions–and statutory submissions to US government agencies.
With more than 30 years of litigation and investigation experience, including time as a JAG Officer in the US Marine Corps, Ken routinely conducts internal investigations for clients, including investigations into actual or potential compliance issues arising under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), Office of Foreign Assets Controls Regulations, US Customs Regulations, and Foreign Trade Regulations. Additionally, Ken works with clients to understand each business’s scope and needs in establishing and improving trade and sanctions compliance programs, including the creation and auditing of company export management systems of all sizes.
Ken provides comprehensive investigation management and execution, from the preparation of an investigation plan, to the preparation, filing, and resolution of voluntary and directed disclosures of US government investigations and subpoenas related to export and import matters. His investigations work regularly involve fact gathering, witness interviews, board of directors counseling, preparation of reports for submission to US government agencies, and settlement of enforcement actions.
Ken also assists clients facing trade and national security enforcement actions from agencies including the US departments of Justice, Homeland Security, Federal Aviation Administration, and Customs, representing them in civil enforcement matters and working with criminal counsel when necessary. He has litigated such matters before the International Trade Commission, US district courts, and other US administrative agencies.
On the transactions side, Ken works with counsel in handling trade due diligence and preparing transactions for review by the Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States (CFIUS), and performing due diligence, assessment, and examination of often latent issues. He also works with both buyers and sellers on public and private transactions in the million- and billion-dollar range. Ken’s experience with CFIUS includes almost every industry and transactions from more than 15 countries, including China, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Indonesia.
Ken also has aided companies with responses to various Executive and Congressional information requests and filings, including those under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act, BE-13 filings with the US Department of Commerce, or ITAR registrations and 122.4 notices with the US Department of State.
Ken has written numerous articles and chapters, and lectures regularly on CFIUS, export investigations, and export control and compliance issues. He serves as a resource for multiple publications on export, economics, and national security issues. Ken maintains an active pro bono practice, representing veterans before the Board of Veterans Appeals, the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and various military discharge review boards. He previously served in the US Marine Corps as a JAG officer.
Ken is the leader of the Morgan Lewis CFIUS working group.
Recognized, Washington, DC, National Security, Cybersecurity, Lawdragon's 500 Leading Global Cyber Lawyers (2024)
Recipient, Law360 Distinguished Legal Writing Award, Burton Awards (2023)
Recommended, International Trade: Customs, Export Controls and Economic Sanctions, The Legal 500 US (2023, 2024)
Ranked, International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions, USA, Chambers Global (2022–2024)
Ranked, International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions, Nationwide, Chambers USA (2021–2024)
Ranked Highly Commendable, Export Controls Law Firm of the Year, USA and Sanctions Law Firm of the Year, USA, WorldECR (2018)
Top Advisor, Foreign Investment Watch (2023, 2024)
Advisor, Editorial Advisory Board, Foreign Investment Watch (2022)
Member, International Trade Editorial Advisory Board, Law360 (2019)
Fellow, National Security and Visiting Fellows at the National Security Institute at George Mason University (2019)
Member, Aerospace and Defense Advisory Board, Law360