DLA Piper has added Adam Vaccaro as a partner in Washington, DC, continuing the firm’s expansion of its National Security and Global Trade practice as cross-border investment reviews and trade-related compliance requirements become increasingly central to dealmaking and corporate strategy.
The firm said Vaccaro is a nationally recognized authority in investment security with more than a decade of senior government service. He most recently served as Director of the Office of Investment Security at the US Department of Commerce, where his work focused on matters involving the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. During his tenure, Vaccaro led national security reviews of foreign investments and was a primary author of the Outbound Investment Security Program. This regulatory initiative oversees certain US investments in foreign technologies, including semiconductors, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence.
In addition to his Commerce role, DLA Piper said Vaccaro brings experience from the Department of the Treasury, the Department of State, and the Department of Defense, as well as federal consulting work tied to sanctions, illicit finance, proliferation-related matters, and investment screening. The firm indicated its practice will support clients navigating investment security and trade issues that can influence transaction timelines, regulatory outcomes, and broader geopolitical risk management.
Vaccaro joins a group of recent hires at DLA Piper to deepen its national security and trade capabilities in Washington. Over the past year, the firm has welcomed several partners and senior advisors with backgrounds spanning the Department of Commerce, the Office of the US Trade Representative, US Customs matters, and export controls, reflecting the growing integration of national security considerations into trade, compliance, and cross-border investment decisions.
DLA Piper said its National Security and Global Trade practice advises businesses, investors, and governments on compliance, licensing, enforcement, and cross-border transactions involving investment security, export controls, sanctions, customs, trade policy, and geopolitical risk. The firm described the group’s approach as combining legal and business acumen with political insight to help clients manage regulatory risk and achieve commercial objectives.
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“Given the significance of US national security priorities to global trade and investment, Adam’s extensive first-hand experience in CFIUS and investment security programs will help our clients, both domestic and foreign, navigate these complex issues and better achieve their business outcomes,” said John Gilluly, US Vice Chair and Head of DLA Piper’s Transactional practices.
John Gilluly, US Vice Chair And Head Of DLA Piper’s Transactional Practices
“Adam’s arrival marks another milestone in the expansion of our practice, further enhancing our capabilities to deliver practical and actionable solutions for clients facing high-stakes national security and trade challenges,” said Nicholas Klein, Co-Chair of DLA Piper’s National Security and Global Trade practice.
Nicholas Klein, Co-Chair, DLA Piper’s National Security And Global Trade Practice
“Adam brings exceptional insight from his service as the Commerce Department’s lead for investment security – deep knowledge and experience that enhances our practice and greatly benefits our clients in light of the global regulatory environment’s heightened emphasis on the national security implications of cross-border investment,” said Christine Daya, Co-Chair of DLA Piper’s National Security and Global Trade practice.
Christine Daya, Co-Chair, DLA Piper’s National Security And Global Trade Practice
