John R. O’Hara

International Trade & Regulatory

• Developed and implemented export and economic sanctions compliance policies, procedures, standard work, and training programs for companies of all sizes across multiple industries.
• Guided companies through internal investigations and the voluntary disclosure of violations of export, economic sanctions, antiboycott, customs, and foreign trade regulations and assisted in implementing required corrective actions.
• Assisted a global transportation company with day-to-day compliance support during an ongoing Department of Commerce settlement.
• Prepared, obtained, and managed dozens of complex ITAR and EAR authorizations across a variety of military programs with over 30 foreign governments.
• Guided an organization through a Department of State consent agreement by assisting with the creation of new standard work, employee training, export authorization management, and ongoing audit and self-assessment support.
• Represented companies and investment funds across multiple industries in CFIUS reviews and related foreign investment activities.
• Conducted international trade, national security, and antibribery/FCPA due diligence efforts in mergers, acquisitions, and related investments.
• Counseled numerous semiconductor fabrication plants, fabless companies, foundries, equipment manufacturers, and other entities involved in the development and production of integrated circuits located in the United States, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions on the complexities and extraterritorial reach of U.S. export controls, economic sanctions, foreign direct investment, and supply chain restrictions imposed by the U.S. Congress and other U.S. governmental agencies.
• Guided clients through Section 232 (national security), Section 301 (investigations), and other related tariff matters.
• Advised clients in connection with the Information and Communications Technology and Services (ICTS) supply chain regulations, FCC Covered List designations, procurement restrictions, executive actions, and related U.S. government outreach.
• Assisted multiple companies to better understand the nexus of international trade, government contracts, and data security requirements.

John O’Hara focuses his practice on international trade, export controls, economic sanctions, CFIUS, national security reviews, government contracts, and emerging technology regulation. He regularly advises multinational companies in the technology, semiconductor, defense, aerospace, automotive, industrial, and manufacturing sectors. His work involves complex compliance, licensing, enforcement, and investigative matters involving the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Treasury, State, Defense, and other agencies.

Drawing on deep regulatory and national security expertise, John helps clients navigate evolving geopolitical risks, cybersecurity and data governance requirements, supply chain controls, government advocacy, and strategic business decisions at the intersection of law, technology, global trade, and national security.

Before joining Alston & Bird, John was an associate for a D.C. law firm, where his practice spanned international trade, government contracts, and cybersecurity and privacy matters. Before his legal career, John spent several years as an international trade compliance manager for an American aerospace and defense corporation, where he managed all international trade requirements for military business development and advanced military development programs.

John also has experience in the U.S. Congress, serving as an intern for congressmen Paul Ryan and Patrick McHenry and as a constituent visitor assistant for Senator Richard Burr.

John is recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch^® for his work in Administrative/Regulatory Law.

Bar Admissions

• District of Columbia
• New York

Education

• Quinnipiac University (J.D., 2018)
• Fairfield University (B.A., 2011)