Preparing Voluntary Self-Disclosures: Requirements, Best Practices, and Pitfalls to Avoid Webinar
To Self-Disclose or Not...
From time to time, companies may discover that they’ve violated export or economic sanctions and must decide whether or not to self-disclose to the U.S. government agency enforcing the violated regulation. When considering a voluntary self-disclosure (VSD), companies must take into account all facts and circumstances leading to the potential violation, as well as the advantages and disadvantages associated with self-disclosures. This decision may not be an easy one, as frequently top-level executives know very little about export compliance, and some companies may not be certain of the jurisdiction that applies to their products (e.g., whether their products are dual-use or defense).
This webinar will walk you through the basic VSD requirements as stated in the regulations and agency-issued guidance as well as best practices to maximize your chances of obtaining favorable results.
This webinar will cover:
- DDTC, BIS, and OFAC VSD basics and requirements
- Issues affecting all VSDs and how to handle them
- Best practices to obtain favorable results
- Pitfalls to avoid which could complicate your case
- Effective communication with upper management and other key corporate departments
- When not to disclose
- Scope of VSDs
- Gathering and sorting documentation
- Effective VSD investigation stages
- Cases gone wrong
Who should attend this webinar:
- Compliance professionals
- General counsels and in-house lawyers
- Companies undergoing VSDs
- Companies who may be considering submitting VSDs
- Business professionals who may want to gain a better understanding of VSD
This webinar will provide PowerPoint slides and include live video and commentary from Olga Torres, who counsels clients on compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and the various embargo and sanctions programs administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). She regularly represents clients before the U.S. Department of State Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), and the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Webinar participants are invited to submit questions during the webinar; the final 30 minutes of the webinar will be allotted to answering attendees’ questions. Each registrant will receive a copy of the presentation, certificate of completion, and access to the webinar recording. Register even if you cannot attend; we will send you access to the webinar recording along with a copy of the presentation!
Speaker and Presenter Information
Olga Torres
Founder-Torres Law
Olga Torres is the Founder and Managing Member of Torres Law, an International Trade and National Security Law Firm. Ms. Torres handles notable international trade matters for numerous companies worldwide and specializes in the areas of U.S. customs, exports, economic sanctions, anti-corruption compliance, and industrial security matters.
In the area of customs, Ms. Torres advises clients on import compliance matters, including customs rulings, classification, country of origin, special duty programs such as free trade agreements, focused assessments, C-TPAT, and seizures of goods by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. She also assists with antidumping/countervailing duty matters before the Import Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
In the area of U.S. export control, Ms. Torres counsels clients on compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and the various embargo and sanctions programs administered by the Office of Foreign Asset Controls (OFAC). She regularly represents clients before the U.S. Department of State Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), and the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Due to her experience and qualifications, Ms. Torres has been selected for recognition in the 2017 and 2018 editions of Who’s Who Legal: Trade & Customs – a guide to the world’s leading trade and customs lawyers, economists and anti-dumping consultants. Chambers and Partners USA also listed Ms. Torres as a Recognized Practitioner in the areas of International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions law in 2017 and 2018. She was rated for four consecutive years as a Super Lawyer Rising Star for Thompson Reuter’s “Super Lawyers” publication. In 2018, Ms. Torres was awarded the Global Attorney of the Year by the Dallas Global Chamber. In 2019, Ms. Torres was a finalist to the Women in Compliance Awards held in London, United Kingdom under the category Lawyer of the Year.
As a recognized leader in trade law, Ms. Torres was recently reappointed by the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State to the Defense Trade Advisory Group (DTAG). In this capacity, she advises the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, which is the U.S. Department of State’s principal link to the Department of Defense, on its regulation of defense trade in accordance with the Arms Export Control Act and its implementing regulations under the ITAR.
Ms. Torres is a frequent speaker and moderator. She has lectured on international trade for organizations, universities and government agencies in different countries, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Mexico, Thailand, France, and Canada.
She was previously an attorney in the International & Cross Border Transactions group at Holland & Knight LLP in Washington, D.C. Ms. Torres is licensed to practice law in Washington, D.C., the State of Texas, Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Court of International Trade.
Relevant Government Agencies
Air Force, Army, Navy & Marine Corps, Intelligence Agencies, DOD & Military, Office of the President (includes OMB), Dept of Agriculture, Dept of Commerce, Dept of Education, Dept of Energy, Dept of Health & Human Services, Dept of Homeland Security, Dept of Housing & Urban Development, Dept of the Interior, Dept of Justice, Dept of Labor, Dept of State, Dept of Transportation, Dept of Treasury, Dept of Veterans Affairs, EPA, GSA, USPS, SSA, NASA, Other Federal Agencies, Legislative Agencies (GAO, GPO, LOC, etc.), Judicial Branch Agencies, State Government, County Government, City Government, Municipal Government, CIA, FEMA, Office of Personnel Management, Coast Guard, National Institutes of Health, FAA, Census Bureau, USAID, National Guard Association, EEOC, Federal Government, State & Local Government, FDA, Foreign Governments/Agencies
Event Type
Webcast
This event has no exhibitor/sponsor opportunities
When
Thu, Jul 18, 2019, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
ET
Website
Click here to visit event website
Organizer
Export Compliance Training Institute
