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Erik Woodhouse

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Areas of Focus

Overview

Erik Woodhouse is a partner in Crowell & Moring’s Washington, D.C. office and a member of the firm’s International Trade and Financial Services groups, where he provides in-depth experience and practical solutions on sensitive economic sanctions and anti-money laundering matters, informed by his experience in private practice and in government at the Department of the Treasury and the Department of State.

Erik works with U.S. and foreign clients operating across borders on all aspects of these regimes, including developing and assessing compliance programs, advising on complex statutory and regulatory requirements, and leading companies through internal and government investigations. He has worked with major manufacturing and tech companies with global operations, multinational banks, investment funds and other financial services firms, and digital assets and virtual currency companies, collaborating with Crowell’s cross-disciplinary team that comprises former senior regulators, federal prosecutors, and in-house counsel.

Prior to joining Crowell, Erik served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Counter Threat Finance and Sanctions at the Department of State, where he played a key role in the Department’s policy development and implementation related to all U.S. country-based sanctions programs and a range of global programs. Erik worked with counterparts across the executive branch to establish and implement new sanctions programs, coordinated U.S. sanctions policy with foreign governments, and engaged with private sector stakeholders on a range of U.S. sanctions priorities. Erik’s prior government experience also includes service at the Department of the Treasury’s Office of International Affairs.

Earlier in his career, Erik worked as a project finance attorney and litigator, as a law clerk for the Honorable M. Margaret McKeown of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and as a research fellow at Stanford University’s Program on Energy & Sustainable Development.

Career & Education

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    • Department of State

      Deputy Assistant Secretary, Division for Counter Threat Finance and Sanctions, Bureau of Economic & Business Affairs, 2021–2024

      Attorney-Adviser, Treaty Affairs, Office of the Legal Adviser, 2012–2014

      Attorney-Adviser, Human Rights and Refugee Affairs, Office of the Legal Adviser, 2009–2012

    • Department of the Treasury

      Counselor, Office of International Affairs, 2016–2017
      Senior Advisor to Under Secretary for International Affairs, Office of International Affairs, 2014–2016

    • Department of State

      Deputy Assistant Secretary, Division for Counter Threat Finance and Sanctions, Bureau of Economic & Business Affairs, 2021–2024

      Attorney-Adviser, Treaty Affairs, Office of the Legal Adviser, 2012–2014

      Attorney-Adviser, Human Rights and Refugee Affairs, Office of the Legal Adviser, 2009–2012

    • Department of the Treasury

      Counselor, Office of International Affairs, 2016–2017
      Senior Advisor to Under Secretary for International Affairs, Office of International Affairs, 2014–2016

  • The George Washington University School of Law, Professional Lecturer in Law. Course: International Litigation, Spring 2019 and Spring 2020

    Stanford University, Program on Energy & Sustainable Development, Post-Doctoral Fellow, 2004-2005

    The George Washington University School of Law, Professional Lecturer in Law. Course: International Litigation, Spring 2019 and Spring 2020

    Stanford University, Program on Energy & Sustainable Development, Post-Doctoral Fellow, 2004-2005

    • Stanford Law School, J.D., with distinction, 2004
    • Emory University, B.A., 2000
    • Stanford Law School, J.D., with distinction, 2004
    • Emory University, B.A., 2000

    • District of Columbia
    • New York
    • District of Columbia
    • New York

    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
    • Clerk to Circuit Judge M. Margaret McKeown, 2005
    • Clerk to Circuit Judge M. Margaret McKeown, 2006
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
    • Clerk to Circuit Judge M. Margaret McKeown, 2005
    • Clerk to Circuit Judge M. Margaret McKeown, 2006

Erik's Insights

Client Alert | 8 min read | 02.21.25

Cartels, Foreign Terrorist Organizations, and the High Stakes for Businesses

The new Trump administration is focusing intensely on “cartels” and other transnational criminal organizations, particularly in the Western Hemisphere. Many of the entities designated as FTOs today are active in Latin America and the United States, and sometimes seek to extort money or have other dealings with legitimate businesses operating in their territories. The State Department’s designation of eight such entities will not only raise the pressure on the entities designated, but also will create new risks and pressures for companies operating in areas where these FTOs are active. Below, we summarize the recent developments and the ramifications of these designations for businesses....

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Representative Matters

  • Advised major U.S. multinational company in responding to OFAC investigation and directly managed the internal investigation and team of associates that supported the client’s response.
  • Advised U.S., European and Latin American multinational companies, financial institutions, and insurers on U.S. sanctions rules.
  • Prepared and submitted voluntary self-disclosures and license requests to OFAC.
  • Advised major U.S./European banks, companies, and fintech clients on Bank Secrecy Act compliance, including customer due diligence rule and application of Bank Secrecy Act rules to money services businesses.

Erik's Insights

Client Alert | 8 min read | 02.21.25

Cartels, Foreign Terrorist Organizations, and the High Stakes for Businesses

The new Trump administration is focusing intensely on “cartels” and other transnational criminal organizations, particularly in the Western Hemisphere. Many of the entities designated as FTOs today are active in Latin America and the United States, and sometimes seek to extort money or have other dealings with legitimate businesses operating in their territories. The State Department’s designation of eight such entities will not only raise the pressure on the entities designated, but also will create new risks and pressures for companies operating in areas where these FTOs are active. Below, we summarize the recent developments and the ramifications of these designations for businesses....

View All Insights

Insights

Client Alert | 8 min read | 02.21.25

Cartels, Foreign Terrorist Organizations, and the High Stakes for Businesses

Speaking Engagement | 02.11.25

"Trump Administration and Trade: Sanctions, Export Controls, Investment Restrictions, and Global Mobility," Crowell & Moring Webinar.

Press Coverage | 02.10.25

Are Donald Trump’s First Iran Sanctions Moves The Start Of ‘Maximum Pressure’ Or ‘Art Of The Deal’?

Client Alert | 6 min read | 02.07.25

“Maximum Pressure” on Iran Is Back: What This Means for Sanctions and Export Controls
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Practices

Erik's Insights

Client Alert | 8 min read | 02.21.25

Cartels, Foreign Terrorist Organizations, and the High Stakes for Businesses

The new Trump administration is focusing intensely on “cartels” and other transnational criminal organizations, particularly in the Western Hemisphere. Many of the entities designated as FTOs today are active in Latin America and the United States, and sometimes seek to extort money or have other dealings with legitimate businesses operating in their territories. The State Department’s designation of eight such entities will not only raise the pressure on the entities designated, but also will create new risks and pressures for companies operating in areas where these FTOs are active. Below, we summarize the recent developments and the ramifications of these designations for businesses....

View All Insights