Marwa M. Hassoun

Leading the international-trade practice of Arent Fox on the West Coast, Hassoun helps companies navigate complex national security laws and international regulations, especially those pertaining to export controls on weapons and defense-related equipment.

She also works with domestic and foreign companies that deal in the trade of circuit boards and other hi-tech components, which often raise national security concerns in Washington even if the technology is intended for civilian use.

Recently, Hassoun advised two large U.S. manufacturing companies that were hit with ransomware attacks in which hackers threatened to either freeze part of their systems or to sell sensitive data if the companies didn’t pay a ransom. Not only did the companies have to contend with the cybersecurity threats, but also with government restrictions against contributing to hacker groups that may be linked with terrorist groups or sanctioned countries.

“These companies are asking, ‘How do we secure our systems without running afoul of the government?’ And sometimes the answer is that you can’t,” she said. “So we’ve had to figure out ways of working with the government to address these situations, either by getting the ransom paid or having U.S. law enforcement intervene.”

When the national security attorney isn’t facilitating the movement of military equipment in support of ally forces, she sometimes represents clients who are processing more peaceful products—like olive oil.

Hassoun is assisting a pair of organizations working to bring stability to areas of northern Syria ravaged by civil war. Although the humanitarian efforts are focused on areas controlled by Turkey, the groups must get permission to operate in the area from the U.S. government, which prohibits any activities that would benefit the heavily sanctioned Syrian government.

One group is working to help revitalize the area’s olive farming and processing capabilities, while the other is rebuilding its telecommunications networks, which were largely destroyed during the ongoing conflict.

Hassoun, the daughter of Palestinian refugees, summered in Damascus as a child. She said assisting in the humanitarian efforts are rewarding.

“In war-torn countries, it’s the average person that always suffers,” she said. “And not having access to the internet is detrimental in so many ways, so being able to help entities who are working on humanitarian projects like this is really refreshing.”

— Mark Armao