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Randall V. Johnston
Randall V. Johnston
Partner — National Security Reviews (CFIUS), Export Controls & Economic Sanctions
E: rjohnston@velaw.com T: +1.202.639.6584
VCard BIO PDF
Partner — National Security Reviews (CFIUS), Export Controls & Economic Sanctions

Randall V. Johnston

Randall V. Johnston
Washington, D.C.
T: +1.202.639.6584

2200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 500 West
Washington, D.C. 20037

E: rjohnston@velaw.com
VCard BIO PDF
start quote symbolRandall Johnston is a phenomenal lawyer and I’d recommend her again and again. (Chambers and Partners, 2025)end quote symbol
Randall V. Johnston

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).

Experience Highlights

  • 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

Credentials

  • New York University School of Law, J.D., 2013
  • Swarthmore College, B.A., 2009
  • Law clerk to the Honorable Kristine G. Baker, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
  • Chambers Global, “Up and Coming” in International Trade: CFIUS Experts (USA), 2025
  • Chambers USA, “Up and Coming” in International Trade: CFIUS Experts (Nationwide), 2024 and 2025
  • Legal 500 U.S., “Next Generation Partner” in International Trade: CFIUS, 2024 and 2025; “Rising Star” in International Trade, CFIUS, 2022 and 2023; Dispute Resolution: International Trade, 2021
  • American Lawyer’s Litigation Daily, April 2021 – Runner-Up Litigators of the Week
  • Arkansas
  • District of Columbia
  • Missouri
  • New York
  • Spanish

News & Insights

Insight
President Trump Orders Divestment of Jupiter Systems, Citing National Security Concerns

V&E CFIUS Update

Outlook on the New AdministrationRegulatory Roundup
July 17, 2025
Insight
Texas Lassos Foreign Investment Regulation with Real Property Restrictions and Proposed “Texas Committee on Foreign Investment”

V&E CFIUS Update

June 25, 2025
Deals & Cases
Vinson & Elkins Advises Plains Midstream on $3.75 Billion Sale of Canadian Natural Gas Liquids Business to Keyera Corp.
June 17, 2025
Rankings & Awards
The Legal 500 US 2025 (Legalease Ltd.) Recognizes Vinson & Elkins in 43 Practice Categories, 136 Lawyers Recommended
June 11, 2025