Leads the firm’s CFIUS practice.
Advises clients on international trade and national security law and policy, including foreign investment, export controls, sanctions and ICTS/supply chain regulations.
Represents clients across sectors, including investment funds, technology, aerospace & defense and energy & infrastructure, among others.

Christian leads Akin’s Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) practice. He advises clients on existing and emerging international trade and national security laws and policy affecting activities and transactions around the world, including on foreign investment, export controls, economic sanctions and Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services (ICTS)/supply chain issues.

Christian represents global clients across sectors and navigates them through CFIUS risks at every stage of a transaction. He represents clients in the merger, acquisition and divestiture process before CFIUS and advises them in negotiating and implementing CFIUS mitigation agreements. Christian also counsels clients in developing and administering international trade compliance programs and conducting internal investigations.

Christian advises clients in a wide variety of industries, including:

Aerospace
Defense
Technology
Investment funds
Sovereign wealth
Engineering
Nuclear power
Oil & gas
Energy & infrastructure
Renewable energy.

He has also advised sovereign entities in the formation of law and policy.

Representative Work

Advising clients in the technology, energy, aerospace, defense and investment funds sectors regarding the CFIUS review process, including negotiating and implementing mitigation agreements to obtain CFIUS clearance.
Advising clients in connection with actions and risks associated with the ICTS Supply Chain Regulations and associated executive actions, including responding to subpoenas, Commerce determinations and other U.S. government outreach.
Counseled a large aerospace defense contractor in developing a comprehensive export and import compliance program covering its global supply chain, international customer base, aftermarket support services, human resources policy, information technology (IT) system and merger & acquisition (M&A) activities. This engagement included providing extensive on-site support to the client and working closely with in-house counsel and internal and external business personnel.
Leading internal investigations for various clients, including drafting and submitting disclosures regarding violations of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Regulations, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR).
Analyzing the commodity jurisdiction and classification of various items for clients, including drafting and submitting Commodity Jurisdiction (CJ) requests to the Department of State. These engagements have involved negotiating with various federal agencies.

Assisting clients in obtaining authorization for the export of commodities and technologies related to nuclear power plants that are subject to export controls administered by the Department of Energy (Part 810) and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Part 110).
Drafting and submitting various license applications for clients, including OFAC licenses, ITAR agreements and Commerce licenses.
Counseling a sovereign entity in the development of regulations pertaining to the nuclear industry and the negotiation of nuclear cooperation agreements.

"Christian Davis translates this complex legal and political environment into sound practical advice that enables our company to make important strategic decisions."

Chambers USA

Education
J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, cum laude, 2008
B.A., University of Virginia, 2003

Bar Admissions
District of Columbia

Recognitions

Chambers USA, International Trade Law Firm of the Year Award, 2024.
Chambers Global, International Trade: CFIUS Experts – USA, 2024.
The Legal 500 US, International Trade, 2021-2023 and International Trade: CFIUS, 2023-2024.
Chambers USA, International Trade: CFIUS Experts, 2021-2024.
Law360, International Trade Practice Group of the Year, 2021 and 2022.
Law360, Rising Star in International Trade, 2018.
Global Excellence Awards, Leading Advisor in International Trade Law - Washington, D.C., 2018.
CorporateLiveWire, International Trade Lawyer of the Year, 2014-2016.

Speeches and Publications

“Protecting Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024,” Akin Cybersecurity, Privacy & Data Protection Alert, June 21, 2024.
“Autonomous Akin Update,” August 2022 - May 2024 (monthly editions).
“CFIUS Proposes Expanded Enforcement Authorities and Increased Penalties,” Akin International Trade Alert, April 19, 2024.
“The Road Ahead for Private Equity: Reflections and Predictions,” March 12, 2024.
“The Road Ahead for Private Equity: Workforce Management,” March 12, 2024.
“The Road Ahead for Private Equity: Inbound & Outbound Investment Regulatory Risks: CFIUS & FDI,” March 12, 2024.
“Executive Order Directs DOJ to Issue Data Security Regulations to Address National Security Concerns,” Akin International Trade Alert, March 4, 2024.
“Commerce Focuses National Security Scrutiny on ‘Connected Vehicle' Supply Chain,’ Akin International Trade Alert, March 1, 2024 (with Opher Shweiki).
“Commerce Issues Proposed Rule on 'Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities' and Artificial Intelligence,” Akin TechSpeak Alert, January 31, 2024.
Speaker, “Akin Intelligence Unveiling the Highlights: A Recap of CES, the Global Technology Trade Show in Las Vegas,” OnAir with Akin podcast, January 2024.
Speaker, “Private Equity Under Increased Foreign Investment Oversight: New Executive Order, Expanded CFIUS Scrutiny,” Strafford Publications Webinar, December 5, 2023.
“Executive Order on Outbound Investment and Treasury Notice – What Funds and Investors Need to Know,” Akin Webinar, August 22, 2023.
Speaker, “Foreign Ownership of U.S. Real Estate: Increased Government Scrutiny, Administrative Obligations, and Penalties,” Strafford Publications Webinar, August 17, 2023.
“President Biden Signs Executive Order on Outbound Investment,” Akin International Trade Alert, August 14, 2023.
“CFIUS Reports Substantial Increase in Use of Mitigation Measures in 2022,” Akin International Trade Alert, August 7, 2023.
“Congress Takes a Step Forward on Outbound Investment,” Akin International Trade Alert, July 27, 2023.
“Foreign Investment in Real Estate Is Getting More Complicated,” Akin Client Alert, June 23, 2023.
“CFIUS Expands Jurisdiction Over—and States Restrict Chinese Investment in—Real Estate,” Akin Client Alert, May 19, 2023.
“Autonomous Systems & Advanced Mobility: 2023 Trends & Predictions,” May 5, 2023.
“Biden Administration Plans for Outbound Investment Regulation Coming into Focus,” Akin International Trade Alert, March 13, 2023.
“CFIUS Formally Determines United Kingdom and New Zealand Will Remain Foreign Excepted States,” Akin Client Alert, February 13, 2023.
“2022 Foreign Investment Review and What to Expect in 2023,” Akin Client Alert, January 31, 2023.
Speaker, “The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS): Executive Order and Outbound Screening Update,” Global Business Alliance, September 22, 2022.
“Executive Order Outlines Expansive National Security Considerations for CFIUS,” Akin International Trade Alert, September 21, 2022.
“CFIUS Reports Significant Uptick in Filings and Non-Notified Inquiries,” Akin International Trade Alert, August 18, 2022.
Speaker, “The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS): Current Trends and Topics,” Global Business Alliance, June 8, 2022.
“U.S. Government Imposes Expansive, Novel and Plurilateral Export Controls Against Russia and Belarus,” Akin International Trade Alert, March 8, 2022.
“CFIUS Updates Excepted Foreign State Rules,” Akin Foreign Investment Alert, January 12, 2022.
“Commerce Proposes ICTS Changes for Connected Software Applications,” Akin Regulatory Alert, December 1, 2021.
“Biden Issues Executive Order Redirecting and Clarifying Scrutiny of Chinese Apps,” Akin International Trade Alert, June 22, 2021.
“Biden Administration Reviewing Comments on Interim Final ICTS Rule,” Akin International Trade Alert, February 5, 2021.
“New Designations of Chinese Entities Impose Varying Restrictions,” Akin International Trade Alert, January 20, 2021.
Speaker, “The Impact of FIRRMA on Private Equity Funds: Expanded CFIUS Review of Foreign Investments, Filing Requirements,” Strafford Publications Webinar, January 12, 2021.
Presenter, “Current CFIUS Trends & Final FIRRMA Implementation,” Organization for International Investment Issue Briefing on CFIUS & FIRRMA, Washington, D.C., January 22, 2020.
Speaker, “Cross-Border M&A: The U.S. Government Has a Seat at the Table,” Houston Bar Association M&A Section Meeting, Houston, Texas, November 21, 2019.
Presenter, “Collateral Damage: How Are Canadian Businesses Impacted by US Trade Sanctions?” Toronto, Canada, November 19, 2019.
Speaker, “Impact of FIRRMA on Private Equity Funds: Expanded CFIUS Review of Foreign Investments, New Filing Requirements,” Webinar, October 22, 2019.
Speaker, “Akin’s Mid-Year Energy Briefing: CFIUS Developments Impacting Energy Companies,” hosted by Akin, Houston, Texas, June 20, 2019.
Speaker, “Emerging Opportunities in Global Markets: Key Regulatory and Policy Trends in Biopharmaceutical Innovation,” BIO 2019: China Summit, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 3, 2019.
Presenter, “Doing Business in and with Emerging Markets 2019,” PLI, New York, New York, June 3, 2019.
Presenter, “Sailing Through Uncertainties – Views from Practitioners on Legal Issues Affecting Businesses in the Wake of China-U.S. Trade Tensions,” FangdaLaw, New York, New York, May 20, 2019.
Presenter, “How Sanctions and Export Controls are Being Used as a Major Part of the Overall U.S. Policy on China,” ACI’s Twelfth National Conference on Economic Sanctions Enforcement and Compliance, Washington, D.C., May 3, 2019.
Speaker, “Update on U.S. – China Tensions: How the U.S. government is using various economic and national security measures to exert pressure on China,” hosted by Akin, Hong Kong, April 25, 2019.
Speaker, “Update on U.S. Export Control Reform,” U.S.-China Business Council, January 8, 2019.
Presenter, “Responding to New Export and Investment Controls on Emerging and Foundational Technologies,” Webinar, January 8, 2019.
Presenter, “Impact of FIRRMA on Private Equity Funds: Expanded CFIUS Review of Foreign Investments, New Filing Requirements,” Federal Bar Association, December 14, 2018.
Speaker, “New CFIUS Law: Key Issues Affecting the Energy Sector,” Webinar, December 6, 2018.
Speaker, “Legal Developments Affecting Procurement, Foreign Investment and Trade with the United States,” The Canadian Bar Association, November 28, 2018.
Speaker, “Impact of FIRRMA on Private Equity Funds: Expanded CFIUS Review of Foreign Investments, New Filing Requirements, Structuring Investments to Minimize CFIUS Risk,” Webinar, October 17, 2018.
Speaker, “Impact of Trade Policy, Midterm Elections and Oil Prices,” hosted by Akin, October 3, 2018.
Presenter, “Navigating CFIUS Reviews in the Trump Administration” and “Understanding Implications of Pending CFIUS Legislation on Cross-Border M&A,” Organization for International Investment Seminar on CFIUS.
Panelist, “Identifying and Mitigating Regulatory and Reputational Risk in Your Supply Chain,” hosted by Akin and ACC National Capital Region, March 22, 2018.
Panelist, “Delays, Political Vacancies and Uncertainty: Practitioners Discuss Recent, ‘On the Ground’ Successes and Challenges to Obtaining CFIUS Approvals,” ACI’s Fourth National Forum on CFIUS and Team Telecom, Washington, D.C., January 31, 2018.
Speaker, “Navigating CFIUS Risks in the M&A Process: National Security Reviews of Foreign Investments in U.S. Business,” hosted by Akin and National Capital Region, July 11, 2017.
Speaker, “The Pre-Filing Process and Delays: Key Considerations to Embed into Your Pre-Acquisition Planning and Decision to File,” ACI’s Third National Forum on CFIUS & Team Telecom, Washington, D.C., February 1, 2017.
Speaker, ECTI’s ITAR Enforcement Seminar, Alexandria, Virginia, November 1 and 2, 2016.
Speaker, ECTI’s ITAR Defense Trade Controls Seminar, Alexandria, Virginia, June 9, 2016.
Speaker, ECTI’s EAR/OFAC Export Controls Seminar, Alexandria, Virginia, June 7, 2016.
Speaker, “Export Control & Sanctions Enforcement: The Higher Walls that Come with This Smaller Backyard,” at Partnering for Compliance™ East Coast, Orlando, Florida, March 4, 2016.
Speaker, “Policy, Politics and Proliferation: Planning for the P5 +1 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Regarding Iran,” Webinar, April 21, 2015.
Speaker, “Successfully Navigating the CFIUS Process,” at the China State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) Event, sponsored by the International Law Institute, January 2015.