Johanna E Reeves

About Johanna E. Reeves

Founding Partner

Admissions: District of Columbia and New York

Practice Areas

Johanna Reeves focuses on regulatory compliance under U.S. export controls, federal firearms, and explosives laws and regulations. Since 2003, she has assisted numerous U.S. companies with export and import matters arising under the Arms Export Control Act, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, the Export Administration Regulations, including the antiboycott provisions, and the economic sanctions and embargoes administered by the Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Ms. Reeves also advises on compliance matters related to the Gun Control Act of 1968, the National Firearms Act of 1934, and the Regulation of Explosives of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970.

Experience

Federal Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement Representation:

Ms. Reeves has extensive experience representing and assisting her clients in regulatory compliance and enforcement matters before the following federal agencies: U.S. Department of State Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (“DDTC”); U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”); U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”); U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”); and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”). Her work includes:

  • Voluntary and directed disclosures
  • Agency compliance site visits
  • Warning conferences
  • ATF federal firearms license revocation hearings
  • Commodity jurisdiction requests
  • ITAR export license applications
  • EAR license applications
  • ITAR reexport and retransfer license applications
  • Administrative subpoenas
  • Settlement negotiations
  • CBP and ATF seizure and forfeiture
  • ATF federal firearms license application and qualification site visits
  • Advisory opinion requests
  • ITAR brokering license applications and reports
  • OFAC export license applications
  • EAR reexport and retransfer license applications
Corporate Trade Compliance:

Ms. Reeves works closely with clients in developing internal compliance programs related to U.S. export controls and the federal firearms and explosives laws, including:

  • Designing and implementing new policies, procedures, and processes
  • Product classification
  • Compliance training
  • Evaluating existing compliance programs
  • Due diligence for corporate mergers and acquisitions
  • Internal investigations for suspected or known regulatory violations
Client Representation:

Ms. Reeves has represented a wide range of clients in the United States and overseas, including:

    U.S. Export Controls and Sanctions

  • Aerospace, satellite, and space manufacturers
  • Firearm, ammunition, and explosive exporters
  • Marine manufacturers
  • Computer and software manufacturers
  • Aerobiology researchers and manufacturers
  • Medical research institutes
  • Medical research institutes
    Federal Firearms and Explosives Laws

  • Firearm manufacturers, importers, and dealers
  • Ammunition manufacturers
  • Explosives manufacturers and importers
  • Less lethal and non-lethal device manufacturers and importers
  • Private security companies
  • Government contractors

Leadership and Advocacy

U.S. Congress Hearings and Workshops:

On March 28, 2023, Ms. Reeves was a panelist at the U.S. Helsinki Commission workshop, “Threading the Needle: Navigating U.S. Export Controls for Ukrainian Victory.” On March 26, 2019, Ms. Reeves testified before Congress at the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on the Administration’s proposed revisions to U.S. export controls.

Federal Advisory Committee:

Ms. Reeves has been a member of the U.S. Department of State’s Defense Trade Advisory Group (“DTAG”) since 2016. DTAG is established under the general authority of the Secretary and Department of State and serves as a formal channel for regular consultation and coordination with U.S. private sector defense exporters and defense trade specialists on U.S. laws, policies, and regulations for exports of defense articles, services, and related technical data. Members are appointed by the Assistant Secretary of State.

Industry Trade Group:

Ms. Reeves served as Executive Director to the Firearms and Ammunition Import/Export Roundtable (“FAIR Trade Group”) from 2011 through 2020.

Education

University of Miami School of Law, J.D., Magna Cum Laude
University of California at Berkeley, B.A. in Middle East Studies, with High Honors and Distinction in General Scholarship

Judicial Clerkship

Hon. Susan K. Gauvey, U.S. District Court, District of Maryland, 1999-2000