Guillermo Christensen

Guillermo Christensen is a partner in the K&L Gates’ Washington, D.C. office. He is a member of the Antitrust, Competition, and Trade Regulation practice group.

Guillermo combines his experience as a former CIA intelligence officer, a diplomat with the U.S. Department of State, and an attorney to shape and inform the advice he provides to clients on enterprise risks involving cybersecurity, national security, and complex international business matters. Drawing on his national security background, Guillermo counsels clients in dealing with economic sanctions and embargoes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), including complex technology matters involving China, or fast moving compliance questions around ransomware payments. His work in national security-related mergers, acquisitions, and investments includes those requiring review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) or those involving export controls or the National Industrial Security Program (NISPOM). In the CFIUS context, Guillermo has worked in particular on high-technology, defense sector and critical infrastructure deals involving China, Russia, the Middle East, and Europe.

Guillermo represents clients in complying with anti-corruption laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and OFAC investigations and voluntary disclosures. His work includes handling cross-border investigations, compliance reviews, and pre-acquisition diligence, and post-acquisition integration. He has investigated matters in South America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East involving companies operating in the energy, high-technology, defense, and transportation sectors. He also advises companies on the adequacy of internal controls and compliance policies, and has set up compliance programs from the ground up for companies expanding into international markets, including training programs and board-level market entry advice.