Deborah Curtis, Co-Chair of the White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice, is a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies, cleared government contractors, financial institutions, and global technology firms navigating complex, high-stakes matters at the intersection of law, national security, and global regulation. She draws on two decades of invaluable government experience— including holding senior leadership positions across the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Intelligence Community, and the Commerce Department Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)— to counsel clients facing criminal investigations, regulatory enforcement, congressional inquiries, or sensitive national security exposure.
A former supervisory federal prosecutor, regulatory chief counsel, and Deputy General Counsel at the Central Intelligence Agency, Deborah brings unmatched insight into government decision-making and enforcement strategy. She has personally led or overseen hundreds of federal investigations and, as a prosecutor and a defense attorney, tried nearly 50 cases to verdict. Her background enables clients to anticipate, manage, and resolve risks with discretion, clarity, and strategic foresight.
Key areas of focus:
- Export Controls & Sanctions: Representing corporations and individuals in criminal, administrative, and parallel investigations involving the Department of Commerce, Department of State, OFAC, and DOJ. Deborah helped draft the original semiconductor Foreign Direct Product Rule and advises on compliance with the Entity List, MEU List, and ICTS regulations.
- National Security & Intelligence Investigations: Defending clients in matters involving classified information, CIPA litigation, FARA, espionage allegations, and the state secrets privilege. Advises high-net-worth individuals and general counsel on how to mitigate reputational and operational risks stemming from government scrutiny or interface.
- Cross-Border Enforcement & Crisis Response: Counseling multinational companies in transnational criminal matters, including export/sanctions evasion, illicit trade, terrorism financing, and cartel-related exposures. Regularly coordinates with foreign counsel and leads internal investigations across jurisdictions.
- Government Engagement & Regulatory Strategy: Advising companies on interactions with the U.S. Intelligence Community, CFIUS, and enforcement arms of the Departments of Defense and Commerce. Trusted for guidance on strategic disclosures, compliance reviews, and enterprise risk.
Before joining the firm, Deborah served as Deputy General Counsel at CIA, where she oversaw all agency litigation and investigations, including congressional inquiries, criminal prosecutions, and sensitive security matters. She previously served as Chief Counsel for Industry and Security at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where she co-authored landmark national security regulations affecting the technology and telecommunications sectors.
Her government service also includes advising the Pentagon on national security programs and investigations, and holding the rank of Major as a JAG officer in the U.S. Air Force.
Experience
- Global provider of critical digital infrastructure solutions. Obtained warning letter after voluntary self-disclosure for export control violations.
- Military avionics company. Won declination of criminal charges and administrative warning letter after allegations of willful export control violations.
- Binance. Secured release of an employee of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange from Nigerian government custody.
- Former U.S. intelligence officer. Defended against Espionage Act charges.
- Multiple major semiconductor manufacturers in engaging the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Defense, and State.
- Independent Counsel for the District of Columbia appointed to conduct review of high-profile sexual harassment investigation, evaluate broader claims of sex-related workplace malfeasance, and recommend policy changes.
- Leading global critical digital infrastructure provider in evaluating possible violations of Commerce Department’s Huawei foreign direct product rule.
- Military avionics company in navigating criminal and administrative investigations into possible export control violations.
- Government Senior Executive in confidential reporting of sex discrimination and potential classified information security violations.
- At DOJ, supervised the investigation and prosecution of a subsidiary of the world’s largest oilfield services company for violating U.S. sanctions against Iran and Sudan and resulted in $230 million financial penalty.*
- At DOJ, prosecuted former member of White House National Space Council for espionage for providing classified information to a person he believed to be an Israeli intelligence officer.
- At DOJ, supervised the prosecution of UniCredit Bank AG (UCB AG), for violations of U.S. sanctions, resulting in $1.3 billion financial penalty.*
- At DOJ, prosecuted Academi LLC, formerly known as Blackwater Worldwide and Xe Services LLC, resulting in a $7.5 million criminal fine and $42 million settlement for violations of U.S. export control laws, after a five-year, multi-agency federal investigation.*
- At DOJ, supervised the prosecution of Russian national who pled guilty to conspiracy to act in the U.S. as an unregistered agent of Russia.*
*Matter completed prior to joining the firm.
Perspectives
Recognition
Credentials
Education
- J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1994, cum laude, Alan J. Goldstein Memorial Award
- B.S., University of Southern California, 1991, cum laude, Beta Gamma Sigma National Honor Society, Dean's List
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- California
Government & Military Service
- Deputy General Counsel for Litigation and Investigations, Central Intelligence Agency (2020-2023)
- Chief Counsel for Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce (2019-2020)
- Deputy Chief for National Security; Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice (2015-2019)
- Deputy Chief for Export Control and Sanctions and Trial Attorney, Counterespionage Section, U.S. Department of Justice (2007-2015)
- Associate Deputy General Counsel, U.S. Department of the Air Force (2005-2007)
- Judge Advocate, U.S. Department of the Air Force (1997-2005)
- Assistant U.S. Attorney (adjunct), U.S. Department of Justice (1995-1997)
Activities
- Member, Law360’s 2025 Aerospace & Defense Editorial Advisory Board
- Adjunct Professor, Strategic Intelligence & Public Policy, Georgetown Law (2024-present)
- Leadership Council Member, Leadership Council for Women in National Security (2024-present)
- Senior Lecturer (Public Policy), University of Virginia, "National Security in the Age of New Technology"