Evan Abrams

About Evan Abrams

Evan counsels financial institutions, multinational corporations, and individuals on a variety of international regulatory and compliance matters. He regularly advises clients on issues related to AML, economic sanctions, export controls, foreign anti-corruption, and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).Evan advises a broad range of clients on the intersection of emerging technology and national security laws. He regularly works on matters involving cutting edge technology such as frontier artificial intelligence models and advanced semiconductors. He is adept at navigating novel legal issues and questions of first impression with respect to the application of existing national security laws to emerging technology. He also helps clients understand how those technologies are likely to be regulated in the future by assessing legal trends and the implications of proposed legislation and regulations.Evan represents some of the world\'s largest and most innovative FinTech companies, including entities focused on payments, blockchain and cryptocurrency, Web3 and DeFi, NFTs, decentralized AI, and the metaverse, among others. He also works with traditional financial institutions such as banks, venture capital firms, and broker-dealers, including advising them on developing or interacting with new financial technology.Evan regularly assists financial institutions and others in a wide range of matters related to the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and AML regulations promulgated by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). This includes helping clients create and implement compliance programs, navigate BSA examinations, and interpret and apply FinCEN regulations. Evan also conducts independent compliance program assessments and advises clients on the applicability of FinCEN regulations, including rules related to money services businesses (MSBs) and money transmitters.Evan\'s sanctions and export controls practice includes matters related to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and a variety of sanctions programs under US and international law. He regularly counsels US and foreign clients on complying with those regimes, seeking licenses from relevant agencies, and conducting internal investigations.Evan\'s CFIUS practice involves representing foreign and domestic companies in understanding and navigating CFIUS\'s regulations, preparing and submitting filings to the committee, responding to CFIUS inquiries, and negotiating and implementing mitigation agreements.

Experience

1. Partner

   Steptoe LLP

   Jan 2025 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   Partner in Steptoe\'s International Regulatory and Compliance group focusing on anti-money laundering, CFIUS foreign investment reviews, economic sanctions, export controls, and foreign anti-corruption.

Education

• The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

  Master's degree, International Relations and Affairs

  2012 — 2013

• Georgetown University

  Bachelor of Science (BS), International Politics - International Law

  2009 — 2012

• Georgetown Law

  Juris Doctor (J.D.), Law

  2013 — 2016

Skills

• International Political Economy
• Economics
• Spanish
• Policy Analysis
• Diplomacy
• Public Policy
• Political Economy
• Politics
• Social Media
• International Development
• Political Campaigns
• Research
• International Relations
• Qualitative Research
• Economic Development
• Foreign Policy
• Political Science
• Fundraising
• International Law
• Political Risk Analysis
• Strategic Communications
• Strategy
• Government
• Nonprofits
• Start-Ups
• International Economics