DC Attorney Providing Pro Bono Advice to Ukraine’s Zelenskyy
WASHINGTON — A partner in the D.C. office of the Morrison & Foerster law firm is providing pro bono advice to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its allies in response to Russia’s unprovoked invasion of the country.
John Smith, co-chair of Morrison & Foerster’s national security practice, signed an engagement letter March 22 to advise Zelenskyy’s office.
His activities were first reported by National Law Journal.
According to a Justice Department filing, Smith’s advice to the office of the president of Ukraine potentially covers a wide range of areas including, “analyzing regulatory regimes; contextualizing new policies and actions; providing guidance on and assisting with U.S. government engagement; and updating advice in response to emerging conditions.”
The filing goes on to say that Smith may, at the request of the Ukrainian president, “confer with and provide counsel on the same topics to other agencies of the government of Ukraine, including the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
Smith, who joined Morrison & Forerster in 2018, is the former director of the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, which administers U.S. economic sanctions.
The National Law Journal reported that in recent weeks Smith has been advising companies on the legal and reputational risks posed by the crushing sanctions imposed on Russia.
Smith’s involvement with Ukraine was disclosed under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which requires law firms, lobbying groups and public relations firms to reveal certain activities conducted on behalf of foreign countries.
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