London, United Kingdom – Morrison Foerster (MoFo), a global law firm based in London, has recently welcomed Chloe Cina as a new partner in its national security group. Cina, a seasoned sanctions specialist, brings with her 18 years of experience as a criminal barrister and international lawyer. This strategic addition to the firm’s team further strengthens its expertise in handling lawsuits involving countries such as Russia and Iran.
Prior to joining MoFo, Cina served as the head of the global sanctions advisory team at Deutsche Bank. She also led a team of lawyers specialized in sanctions compliance across the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union. With her extensive legal background in UK and international financial sanctions, export controls, and compliance, Cina has held positions at notable institutions including the UK Treasury Solicitor’s Department, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and HSBC.
Cina’s practice primarily revolves around navigating sanctions regimes, enforcement, compliance, and investigations in both the UK and the EU. During her time at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, she led the Iran nuclear legal team and handled the majority of Iran-related litigation in UK and EU courts. Her expertise in dealing with complex economic sanctions has become increasingly valuable to clients around the globe who face the challenges brought by constantly evolving sanctions policies.
John Smith, co-head of MoFo’s national security practice, expressed his confidence in Cina’s contributions to the firm’s global client base. He emphasized the importance of her experience, especially in assisting clients located in the UK, Europe, United States, and Asia, where the frequency and complexity of economic sanctions have been on the rise.
Cina herself highlighted the reputation of MoFo in the government sanctions arena and the diverse expertise of its team members in major financial centers worldwide. She specifically mentioned her experience advising banks amidst the unprecedented wave of Russia sanctions, which has equipped her with a deeper understanding of how to provide strategic and pragmatic advice to financial institutions and their clients facing multifaceted legal challenges across various jurisdictions.
Recently, MoFo has been actively expanding its disputes offering. Along with the addition of London litigator Ben Summerfield and Washington, DC-based capital markets partner Val Dahiya in October, Cina’s recruitment further strengthens the firm’s capabilities in dealing with complex legal issues and disputes.
With its diverse team of experts and extensive experience in handling international sanctions and related litigation, MoFo appears well-positioned to assist clients in navigating the ever-changing landscape of economic sanctions and compliance requirements.