Skadden Adds CFIUS/National Security Partner Donald Vieira

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 10, 2017 – Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP announced today that Donald L. Vieira has joined the firm's CFIUS/national security practice as a partner in its Washington, D.C. office. A former chief of staff of the National Security Division (NSD) at the Department of Justice (DOJ), Mr. Vieira most recently led the CFIUS and national security practice at another international law firm.

Mr. Vieira's practice focuses on foreign investment review, privacy, cybersecurity and data security, export controls enforcement, and government investigations. He has represented clients in numerous successful CFIUS reviews and investigations before U.S. enforcement agencies. He also has advised companies on cyber and data security issues, including preparedness, and conducted investigations and counseled companies in connection with export control compliance, government enforcement actions and security issues raised by nation state intrusions targeting source code, intellectual property, customer base and other critical business information.

In addition to serving as chief of staff for the NSD, Mr. Vieira's government service includes his role as counselor to the assistant attorney general for national security (2009-2011). In this position, he advised senior leadership on national security issues and supervised the department's work on hundreds of CFIUS reviews. From 2007 to 2009,Mr. Vieira served as deputy chief counsel to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) and staff director of HPSCI's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, where he led several classified committee investigations. As a federal prosecutor in the DOJ's Counterespionage Section (2005-2007), he participated in the successful prosecution of espionage cases and export and economic sanctions enforcement matters.

"Since leaving government, Don has emerged as a leader in the field of CFIUS and national security law.Don's understanding of the intersection of complex national security issues with complex deal structures fits perfectly with Skadden's unique global platform," said Ivan Schlager, head of Skadden's CFIUS/national security practice.

Mr. Vieira said, "Skadden's global capabilities offer a great opportunity for me to work with a broad array of clients to navigate evolving national security challenges. The firm's CFIUS/national security practice is considered best-in-class, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to work alongside such highly skilled lawyers."

A graduate of Boston University, Mr. Vieira earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. He has received numerous awards and honors for his prosecutorial and national security work, including the Office of the Director of National Intelligence's Award for Community Excellence and the 2011 Attorney General Award for Exceptional Service.