Partner
National Security Reviews (CFIUS), Export Controls & Economic Sanctions
“Randall Johnston is a phenomenal lawyer and I’d recommend her again and again.” (Chambers and Partners, 2025)
Randall Johnston leads Vinson & Elkins’ National Security Reviews (CFIUS) practice. She brings a decade of experience guiding clients through some of the most complex and high-profile transactions before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
Randall has advised on thousands of transactions. Randall represents both foreign acquirers and U.S. businesses in national security reviews before CFIUS. Randall guides clients on CFIUS and other national security aspects of their transactions from the letter of intent (LOI) and structuring stage through CFIUS clearance and beyond. Randall has negotiated some of the most complex National Security Agreements with CFIUS to obtain CFIUS clearance and helps clients comply with the terms of such agreements. She also has negotiated divestment agreements for post-closing reviews when CFIUS clearance cannot be obtained.
Randall is a leading practitioner on global laws relating to national security review and foreign investment (or FDI) filings triggered by cross-border transactions, and is noted for efficiently quarterbacking FDI filings across multiple jurisdictions, including for dozens of multi-million and multi-billion dollar transactions. Randall’s practice also includes advising on matters relating to sanctions, export controls, customs, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Randall is recognized as providing “a very high level of strategic support” (Legal 500, 2022). She “understands the facts of the case, coordinates with clients very well and is enjoyable to work with.” (Chambers and Partners, 2024).
Francisco Partners and TPG in $6.5 billion take-private of New Relic
COSCO Shipping in its $6.3 billion acquisition of Orient Overseas International Limited, including negotiation of a National Security Agreement with CFIUS
Plains Midstream on $3.75 billion sale of Canadian natural gas liquids business to Keyera
SD Biosensor and SJL Partners in $1.53 billion acquisition of Meridian Bioscience
Symphony Technology Group in $1.5 billion acquisition of Momentive Global, maker of SurveyMonkey
CDH in $1.4 billion acquisition of Sirtex
STG in $1.4 billion take-private of Avid Technology
Saba in $1.4 billion sale to Cornerstone
Teleperformance in $1 billion acquisition of Intelenet
Dynapower in $580 million sale to Sensata Technologies
CWT US, LLC in agreement to be acquired by Global Business Travel Group in $570 million transaction
Quotient Technology, Inc. in $430 million business combination with Neptune Retail Solutions
Vector Capital in $355 million sale of MarkLogic
Madison Industries in acquisition of CAE Healthcare for $226 million
Atlas Energy Solutions on $220 million acquisition of Moser Energy Systems
Hotel Shilla in connection with $121 million investment in 3Sixty Duty Free
Foxconn in Partnership and Investment in Lordstown Motors
Francisco Partners and Forcepoint in sale of its G2CI Business to TPG
Vector Capital in Acquisition of Riverbed Technology
Mitsubishi Corporation in investment and participation in ExxonMobil’s Low Carbon Hydrogen and Ammonia Project
Riverside Company in investment in U.S. Cabinet Depot
H.I.G. Capital in its acquisition of Segers Aero Corporation
STG Partners in acquisition of Wrike
Wynnchurch Capital in the sale of Midland Industries
Industrial Growth Partners in the sale of Des-Case
A public Israeli company before CFIUS in acquisition of critical technologies business, including negotiation of a National Security Agreement, during litigation between the parties
A private equity firm in the sale of its interests in a utility-scale and distributed generation renewables business
A Chinese-owned asset manager in multiple acquisitions before CFIUS, including negotiating four mitigation agreements
Multiple Chinese companies in non-notified outreaches by CFIUS in software companies
Guidance across dozens of transactions to a PRC government-owned investor
Guidance across dozens of transactions to a state-owned Middle Eastern investor
Education
Admissions
Articles
Executive Order 14421: Managing the Risk of a Ban on Chinese Grid Equipment
The nation’s electric grid depends heavily on foreign-made equipment, much of it from China. Depending on how the Dept. of …
October 30, 2026
October 30, 2026 • 1-minute read
Client Alerts
Executive Order 14421 (August 26, 2026) Overview On August 26, 2026, President Trump signed Executive Order 14421 (the “Order,” or …
September 1, 2026
September 1, 2026 • 6-minute read
Client Alerts
CFIUS Annual Report: More Declarations, Less Success, and Other Trends
On August 7, 2026, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”) released its Annual Report to Congress …
August 24, 2026
August 24, 2026 • 4-minute read
Client Alerts
Proposed Rules Broaden Texas Real Estate Foreign Ownership Restrictions
Texas Senate Bill 17 (“SB 17”), which became effective September 1, 2025, broadly restricts individuals domiciled in, and entities headquartered …
May 26, 2026
May 26, 2026 • 5-minute read
Articles
Litigating Tariff Refund Pass-On Class Actions: Lessons from Antitrust
Downstream purchasers—distributors, retailers, or end consumers—are now asking if they can claim a share of about $170 billion in potential …
March 25, 2026
March 25, 2026 • 1-minute read
Deals & Cases
Vinson & Elkins Represents Albioma on Investment in Altamaha Green Energy, LLC
Vinson & Elkins represented Albioma US Holdings LLC (“Albioma”), a portfolio company of KKR Infrastructure, in its acquisition of a …
September 30, 2026
September 30, 2026 • 1-minute read
Deals & Cases
Vinson & Elkins advised Goldman Sachs, its West Street Climate Credit Fund (part of Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s private credit …
September 21, 2026
September 21, 2026 • 2-minute read
Deals & Cases
Vinson & Elkins Represents EPC Power on $4.4 Billion Sale to Flex
Vinson & Elkins LLP represented EPC Power Corp. and its controlling shareholders, Goldman Sachs Alternatives and Cleanhill Partners, in its …
September 4, 2026
September 4, 2026 • 1-minute read
Deals & Cases
Vinson & Elkins Advises Diameter Capital on Investment in Delfin Midstream
Vinson & Elkins served as counsel to Diameter Capital in its investment in Delfin Midstream Inc. (“Delfin”). Delfin is developing …
July 31, 2026
July 31, 2026 • 1-minute read
Deals & Cases
Vinson & Elkins advised Lotus Infrastructure Partners, LLC, and MB Energy Holding GmbH & Co. KG in their entry into …
July 2, 2026
July 2, 2026 • 1-minute read
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