Sanctions Shift Sparks Boon for Big—and Little—Law

Law firms big and small are benefiting from a surge in sanctions-related defense and advisory work as the U.S. regime grows more complex and enforcement gets tougher under the Trump administration.

Driving demand are recent changes to nearly two-dozen sanctions programs—including Cuba, Venezuela and Iran—and a greater threat of both civil and criminal penalties. Companies, especially those with cross-border operations, are flooding law offices with requests for help.

“We have certainly seen an uptick in enforcement defense, internal investigations and compliance questions from clients,” said Kevin McCart, a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Squire Patton Boggs. The firm ...