Talented International and National Security Lawyer Rejoins Latham in Washington, D.C.

Latham & Watkins LLP¹ is pleased to announce that Rachel Alpert has rejoined the firm’s Washington, D.C. office as counsel in the White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice in the firm’s Litigation & Trial Department. Alpert returns to Latham following seven years of service in the US Department of State’s Office of the Legal Adviser.

While serving in the State Department, she advised on issues affecting US relations with Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Alpert coordinated with other US agencies to apply, interpret, and enforce various international trade and national security laws and policies, including expanding sanctions on Cuba and Venezuela and implementation of the National Security Presidential Memorandum on Cuba. She also served as the US government expert on the implementation of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act (LIBERTAD), also known as “Helms-Burton,” provided guidance on legal issues related to Venezuela sanctions and humanitarian assistance, engaged in bilateral negotiations with governments in the Western hemisphere, and advised on legislation, expenditures, and negotiations concerning foreign assistance.

Prior to her government service, Alpert spent three years as an associate in Latham’s Washington, D.C. office, with a focus on US sanctions and export control laws. She counseled clients on compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the Export Administration Regulations, trade and economic sanctions regulations administered by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), import regulations, and customs compliance. Alpert also conducted internal investigations and prepared voluntary disclosures, determined applicable export control jurisdiction and classification, drafted internal compliance policies and procedures, and conducted due diligence in connection with corporate transactions.

Alpert joins Latham’s global, market-leading Export Controls, Economic Sanctions & Customs Practice, which handles a broad range of complex and sensitive matters for clients whose international business activities involve the movement of goods and services across borders, and whose trade and investment activities may be controlled for national security, foreign policy, anti-terrorism, crime control, or non-proliferation reasons. The practice has been at the forefront of navigating the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review process for foreign clients investing in US businesses. Alpert’s interagency experience will provide clients significant value in this arena, particularly as CFIUS’ jurisdiction has expanded in recent years.   

Alpert received her undergraduate degree cum laude from Yale University, her masters from Tel Aviv University, and her JD from Harvard Law School. Following law school, Alpert spent a year in Syria researching the legal framework for international NGOs aiding Iraqi refugees, as a Harvard Law Frederick Sheldon Traveling Scholar. She is conversant in Spanish, Mandarin, Hebrew and Arabic.

About Latham & Watkins

Latham & Watkins delivers innovative solutions to complex legal and business challenges around the world. From a global platform, our lawyers advise clients on market-shaping transactions, high-stakes litigation and trials, and sophisticated regulatory matters. Latham is one of the world’s largest providers of pro bono services, steadfastly supports initiatives designed to advance diversity within the firm and the legal profession, and is committed to exploring and promoting environmental sustainability.

Notes to Editors

¹Latham & Watkins operates as a limited liability partnership worldwide with affiliated limited liability partnerships conducting the practice in France, Italy, Singapore, and the United Kingdom and as affiliated partnerships conducting the practice in Hong Kong and Japan. Latham & Watkins operates in South Korea as a Foreign Legal Consultant Office. Latham & Watkins works in cooperation with the Law Firm of Salman M. Al-Sudairi, a limited liability company, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.