Brandon Ricaurte is an associate in Kirkland’s Houston office in the International Trade and National Security Practice Group, advising a broad range of clients on the intersection of global investment, trade, and national security regulations. Drawing on extensive experience with complex cross-border transactions, he counsels private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, multinational corporations, venture capital firms, and financial institutions as they navigate an increasingly dynamic regulatory landscape. His practice emphasizes strategic guidance on the trade and national security dimensions of mergers and acquisitions, fund formation and debt financing, including managing U.S. national security review processes.
Brandon’s practice extends across a diverse set of key regulatory areas, including:
- Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS): Advising clients on CFIUS strategy by evaluating potential national security risks early in a transaction, supporting the preparation and submission of filings, counseling on compliance with mitigation measures or conditions, and assisting with responses to non-notified outreach from CFIUS
- Outbound Investment Security Program: Advises private equity sponsors and LPs on newly developing U.S. frameworks governing outbound investments, particularly those involving sensitive foreign technologies and sectors
- International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR): Provides guidance on U.S. defense export controls, including licensing strategy, regulatory compliance, and addressing enforcement-related issues
- Sanctions: Counsels clients on navigating U.S. and multilateral sanctions regimes, including risk assessments in transactions and representation in matters involving regulatory scrutiny or enforcement
- Export/Import Controls: Supports clients in managing obligations under U.S. export and import laws, with a focus on dual-use goods, controlled technologies, and restricted or high-risk counterparties
- Anti-Bribery & Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Laws and Regulations: Helps clients build and refine compliance programs aligned with anti-corruption and AML laws, including the FCPA, UK Bribery Act, and international financial crime standards
- Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA): Advises on AFIDA compliance, including assessing foreign ownership structures, determining disclosure obligations, and addressing related regulatory and contractual considerations
Clients value Brandon’s practical, solutions-oriented approach, developed through work on high-pressure transactions and intricate regulatory matters. He excels at identifying potential regulatory hurdles early, structuring transactions to mitigate exposure, and representing clients before key U.S. agencies, including Treasury, Defense, Commerce and State.
