Tal R. Machnes | People | Arnold & Porter

Tal Machnes advises and represents clients on white collar and national security matters, with an emphasis on U.S. export controls and trade sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control at the U.S. Department of the Treasury (OFAC). She counsels clients across a wide array of industries on complex regulatory questions in these and other areas, including rapidly changing developments involving Russia/Ukraine, Iran, Cuba, and other nations.

Tal handles a broad range of government and internal investigations, licensing and delisting matters, and both civil and criminal sanctions enforcement proceedings, including those before the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). She regularly helps companies and institutions establish compliance plans and strategies for dealing with U.S. law enforcement and national security agencies, and also has experience through all phases of litigation, including at trial and on appeal.

A staunch advocate of pro bono work, Tal has successfully handled asylum cases in U.S. immigration court, obtained orders of protection for survivors of domestic violence, and secured equal public education services for New York City children.

Tal is a graduate of the George Washington University Law School, where she was an articles editor for the George Washington Law Review and served in the school's International Human Rights Clinic.

Focus Areas

Experience

International financial institution in U.S. government-initiated investigation of potential U.S. sanctions violations being conducted by SDNY, OFAC, NYAG, NYDFS, FRBNY, and FRBSF.
Major financial institutions in self-reported OFAC investigations of potential violations of U.S. sanctions laws involving Russia, Cuba, and others, resulting in no action.
In-House Secondment at Fortune 500 Agribusiness in supporting general counsel on sanctions compliance matters.
U.S. importers in OFAC and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) investigations involving Burma.
Major auction house in connection with DOJ investigations involving Russian assets.

Major technology companies, educational institutions, construction companies, and individuals in licensing proceedings before OFAC and U.S. Department of Commerce.
Major international aviation companies in self-reported OFAC and BIS investigations involving Russia and Iran.
Individual fighting extradition request by foreign country in billion dollar money laundering investigation.
National accounting firm in investigation by Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB).
Individual in Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration involving allegations of fraud and breach of contract.
Major international oil company in investigation relating to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) led by independent compliance monitor appointment by DOJ.

Individual charged with violating Iran sanctions in four-week federal criminal trial before the Southern District of New York; primary counts of conviction reversed on appeal. U.S. v. Banki
Eleven American families in seven-week jury trial before the Southern District of New York under the Anti-Terrorism Act, resulting in full verdict for plaintiffs and an award of $655 million. Sokolow v. PLO
Major art auction house in multiple related litigations involving allegations of fraud with respect to the purchase and sale of numerous art masterpieces.
Information technology company and major government contractor in Medicaid False Claims Act qui tam investigation and litigation brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the New York Attorney General relating to the processing of Medicaid claims for New York City's Earn Intervention Program, resulting in a favorable settlement.
Major financial institution in two-week arbitration before the American Arbitration Association, resulting in full defense judgment for major financial institution arising from contract dispute regarding sale of private equity investments.

Individual in defensive asylum proceedings before Immigration Court.
Nonprofit investigative news organization in responding to third-party subpoena for source information, as well as defending against threatened emergency temporary restraining order.
Individuals seeking orders of protection from Kings County Family Court.
Families of special needs children seeking tuition reimbursement from New York Department of Education.