Latham & Watkins Adds Former BIS Leader to Export Controls Practice

Aaron Amundson, a former senior official at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), has joined Latham & Watkins as counsel in its Washington, D.C. office, announced in a press release. He will work within the firm’s Economic Sanctions & Export Controls Practice, part of its White Collar Defense & Investigations group.

Amundson will advise clients on U.S. export controls, focusing on the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and technical matters involving artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cloud computing, cybersecurity, encryption, semiconductors, and data centers. He spent 19 years at BIS, most recently serving as Acting Director of the Office of National Security Controls and Director of the Information Technology Controls Division.

During his tenure at BIS, Amundson oversaw export controls on computers, telecommunications equipment, and encryption technologies, led reforms to encryption regulations, and implemented new controls on AI processors. He also represented the U.S. in Wassenaar Arrangement discussions and contributed to drafting EAR regulations and interpretive guidance.

Latham & Watkins said Amundson’s technical expertise and regulatory experience would strengthen its capabilities in advising clients on export compliance, licensing, and enforcement matters related to emerging technologies.