Ex-OFAC Counsel, Sanctions Pro Joins Morrison & Foerster

Andrea Delisi spoke to Law360 about her decision to join Morrison & Foerster after nearly eight years as a lead attorney in the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), where she advised on economic sanctions programs involving human rights, corruption, and terrorism tied to countries including Iran, Syria, and Venezuela.

“Initially I will be sticking to what I know best, and that’s sanctions work,” Andrea said of her new role. “I’ll be dealing with the same legal framework, but viewing the questions from a different angle,” she added, noting that she anticipates working with a host of global financial institutions to ensure compliance with OFAC sanctions.

Her new role at MoFo sees Andrea teaming up once again with John Smith, co-head of the firm’s national security practice and a former OFAC director who left the agency in May 2018.

“When I heard John was looking to expand his team, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity,” Andrea said.

John told Law360 that Andrea brings a “vast wheelhouse” of knowledge across industries to help clients understand OFAC’s expectations and guidance, adding that she is “coming in at a key time, as the world of sanctions work” shifts along with the new administration.

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