NEW YORK, December 1, 2020: International law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP announced today that Shawn B. Cooley has joined the Firm as a partner. He is part of Weil’s Corporate Department and is based in the Firm’s Washington, D.C. office.

“We are excited to welcome Shawn, who brings critically important expertise to our market-leading practices that advise clients on foreign investment in U.S. companies and operations,” said Weil Executive Partner Barry Wolf. “He will be a fantastic addition to our firm.”

“Shawn has an impressive record of experience handling the trade and regulatory aspects of complex and sophisticated transactions, including global M&A and private equity deals,” commented Michael J. Aiello, Chairman of the Corporate Department. “He has earned a significant reputation in the marketplace and will be a great fit for our Corporate practice.”

Mr. Cooley joins Weil from Kirkland & Ellis LLP, where he was an International Trade & National Security partner advising wealth funds, private equity funds, pension plans and top Fortune 500 companies. His practice focuses on managing national security reviews and all foreign investment regulatory aspects of clients’ cross-border transactions, drawing on deep experience with the interagency Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and the informal interagency working group known as Team Telecom.

Mr. Cooley served for nine years as the Director of Foreign Investment Risk Management at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He advised the Assistant Secretary for Policy, the General Counsel, the Deputy Secretary and the Secretary within DHS, spanning three administrations, on all matters pertaining to foreign investment in the United States. In that role, Mr. Cooley managed the review and disposition of more than 1,000 CFIUS cases and hundreds of Federal Communications Commission telecommunications license applications before Team Telecom.

“I am delighted to join Weil and look forward to collaborating with the firm’s stellar lawyers across departments and offices who share my commitment to providing excellent legal advice and client service,” said Mr. Cooley. “In addition to helping clients navigate important CFIUS issues, I also look forward to advising on U.S. sanctions, anti-money laundering laws and other compliance matters.”

About Weil

Founded in 1931, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has been a preeminent provider of legal services for more than 80 years. With approximately 1,100 lawyers in offices on three continents, Weil has been a pioneer in establishing a geographic footprint that has allowed the Firm to partner with clients wherever they do business. The Firm’s four departments, Corporate, Litigation, Restructuring, and Tax, Executive Compensation & Benefits, and more than two dozen practice groups are consistently recognized as leaders in their respective fields.