Vinson & Elkins Expands National Security Reviews (CFIUS) Practice by Adding Partner Randall V. Johnston

Vinson & Elkins today announced the hire of Randall V. Johnston as a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office.

Johnston is a leading advisor on global laws relating to national security review and foreign direct investment (or FDI) filings triggered by cross-border transactions. She has advised on thousands of transactions, including in national security reviews before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), as well as on matters relating to sanctions, export controls, customs, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, and the Freedom of Information Act. She has also led FDI filings across multiple jurisdictions, including in dozens of multi-million and multi-billion-dollar transactions.

“Randall’s skill and judgment, honed from her years of experience helping clients navigate CFIUS reviews, will be a vital asset to our Merger & Acquisition and Private Equity Practices — and to companies considering strategic foreign investments in the United States,” said Matt Strock, co-head of Vinson & Elkins’ Corporate Department.

Partner David Johnson, the head of Vinson & Elkins’ Government Contracts/Export Controls and National Security Practices, added: “Randall is an established leader in the CFIUS bar, who is adept at navigating the CFIUS review process and is incredibly familiar with the agencies and committee members involved in enforcing the relevant regulations. She comes onboard at the perfect time, as the federal government continues to ramp up enforcement and CFIUS filings become ever more detailed and complex.”

“Vinson & Elkins is the perfect platform for my practice in light of its long tradition handling critical infrastructure investments that routinely face CFIUS review,” said Johnston. “In an era where national security concerns intersect with the ambitions of global business, I am looking forward to collaborating and helping clients navigate a complex puzzle of regulations in an ever-evolving national security landscape.”

Johnston earned her Bachelor of Arts from Swarthmore College and her Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law, where she served on the law review and was awarded the Vanderbilt Medal for outstanding contributions to the law school.

She joins Vinson & Elkins from Paul Hastings.