Deborah A. Curtis

Deborah Curtis, former Deputy General Counsel for Litigation and Investigations at the CIA and top national security prosecutor, is a member of the firm’s White Collar Defense & Investigations practice. Her senior executive leadership experience spans several agencies, including CIA, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), and the Department of Justice (DOJ). An accomplished trial lawyer, Deborah is most often recognized for her expertise and creativity in solving seemingly insurmountable classified disputes, including in some of the most prominent national security investigations and litigations in recent history. Prior to joining the firm, she oversaw all litigation and investigations as an advisor to senior CIA leadership, which included congressional inquests, CIA crisis response, criminal inquiries, security issues, and the invocation of state secrets and diplomatic privileges and immunities.

Deborah previously served as Chief Counsel for Commerce’s BIS as the senior-most legal advisor on all licensing and enforcement decisions. While at BIS, Deborah also co-drafted the first Huawei Entity List semiconductor “Foreign Direct Product Rule,” advised the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), and co-wrote the U.S. Information and Communications Technology and Services (ICTS) supply chain regulation. Deborah also served at DOJ for more than a decade, including as the first Deputy Chief for Export Control and Sanctions for the DOJ National Security Division. She was also a Deputy Chief for National Security at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, where she investigated, prosecuted, and supervised numerous high-profile matters involving espionage, illegal foreign agents; economic espionage, and state-sponsored cyber intrusions.