Webinar: The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and The Foreign Investment & National Security Act (FINSA): What are They and Their Impact on International Business with the United States

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”) is an interagency committee authorized to review certain transactions involving foreign investment in the United States and certain real estate transactions by foreign persons, in order to determine the effect of such transactions on the national security of the U.S. CFIUS operates pursuant to section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950. The authority of the President to suspend or prohibit certain transactions was created through the 1988 Exon-Floria Amendment and has been revised by subsequent regulations.

The regulations governing the CFIUS review process are codified at 31 C.F.R. Chapter VIII. Effective February 13, 2020, changes to CFIUS’s jurisdiction and process were implemented which affect the access, rights or involvement of foreign persons to U.S. businesses. CFIUS operates pursuant to section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950.

This webinar will address the events which led to the formation of CFIUS, how it works, and how to balance national security and business interests. The webinar will also address new challenges posed to CFIUS, including recent changes to CFIUS’s jurisdiction and process, the effect of new economic treaties, issues with the People’s Republic of China and the European Union, and the effects of COVID-19 on CFIUS decision-making.

Presented by the FBA International Law Section

Online registration for this event is now closed. Please contact meetings@fedbar.org for assistance. 

About the Presenters:

Dr. Bijan Kasraie, Partner, KF Law LLC

Upon receiving his Ph.D. degree in engineering from Pennsylvania State University, Bijan Kasraie went to Iran, where he served as Vice President of Operations for one of the largest cement complexes in Iran, with over 15,000 employees. Shortly afterward, he was promoted to Executive Vice President.  In that position, he doubled the company’s revenue by lowering the cost and improving the efficiency of the company. He was then hired as Executive Vice President for the second-largest bank in the country, with over 6,600 branches. During his ten years with the bank, he transformed the entire operation from old-fashioned paper banking to fully automated systems.  In 1979 he returned to the U.S. and formed the Midcontinental Bank, a privately owned bank with a presence in England, Italy, Switzerland, the Caribbean, and the U.S.  He served as President of the bank until its dissolution in 1991. During this period, he also formed an independent oil and gas company with operations in the Appalachian Basin. Dr. Kasraie then formed the Midcontinental Group Company (“MGC”), a company involved with the  pharmaceutical, import-export, and recycling businesses, among others. In 1997, Dr. Kasraie obtained his law degree and formed the law firm of Marchman and Kasraie, where he served as Managing Partner. The firm was active in corporate and security law, international law, and family law.  In 2012, Dr. Kasraie co-founded the law firm of Kasraie & Fodor, LLC.

Moderated By

Beth S. Persky, Attorney, Law Office of Beth S. Persky; FBA International Law Section Vice Chair

Beth Persky is a graduate of the Boston University School of Law and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. She studied politics both at the Fletcher School and as an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, where she worked as an assistant editor for the Michigan Daily. Beth is also a member of SAG-AFTRA, and worked as a radio lawyer in her first job after law school. Prior to attending law school, Beth worked for the Vice President of Legislative Affairs of a professional association that lobbied in Washington, D.C.  Beth is the incoming chair of the International Law Section of the FBA, and practices Immigration Law in Los Angeles.

Registration

Online registration for this event is now closed. Please contact meetings@fedbar.org for assistance. 

Cancellation Policy

No refunds will be made for cancellations received after the close of business on September 9, 2020. No-shows will be billed. Substitutions may be made at any time upon notification. Please contact Ariel White at awhite@fedbar.org with cancellation and/or substitution requests.

CLE

1 CLE Credit (60min state) / 1.2 CLE Credit (50min state)

Credit for these complimentary webinars will be processed/reported within 4-6 weeks of the webinar event date and available for credit in states that allow credit for live webinar presentations. Your bar number must be accurate in our database to receive credit.

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If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact Caitlin Rider, Conference Manager.