The Chaklader Firm is a professional legal services corporation with attorneys that cater to the complex needs of companies and individuals in Litigation, Contracts & Transactional, Non-Profit & For-Profit Set-up & Governance, Immigration, and International Matters. We help clients involved in cross-border transactions navigate and comply with U.S. and International Trade laws and regulations, including U.S. and Foreign Export/Import, Sanctions, Anti-Corruption, and Anti-Money Laundering requirements. The firm's Founder and Managing Principal, Johny Chaklader, has designed and implemented compliance programs, conducted audits and investigations, provided training, managed litigation and achieved favorable settlements for some of the world’s largest and most complex publicly traded companies.

Assisted clients in managing compliance with international trade requirements.

Johny Chaklader served as Corporate Counsel at one of the world's largest defense companies, the Northrop Grumman Corporation. Johny focused on international trade (export/import controls) and sanctions investigations, and has expertise in Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and anti-bribery/corruption compliance, anti-money laundering laws and regulations, and business in the Middle East.

Managed international investigations for financial firms, aerospace/defense, biotechnology, shipping and logistics and online retailer companies; advised on export (ITAR/EAR), sanctions (OFAC), import (CBP/FDA/FWS/Census), anti-corruption (FCPA/UK Bribery Act) and anti-money laundering matters, with a focus on the Middle East.Seconded Assistant General Counsel for UAE Federal Agency in Abu Dhabi (Sept. 2014 - Dec. 2015)Led internal and external investigations of activities and transactions in UAE, Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Qatar, and Oman for compliance with sanctions, national security, cybersecurity, anti-corruption and export controls laws; supervised negotiations and procurement compliance for defense deals and government contracts involving materiel and dual use items.

Associate AttorneyDrafted U.S. Treasury, Commerce, and State Department license applications and disclosures; negotiated settlements with government agencies; drafted compliance policies/procedures; advised on strategic business development opportunities with foreign governments and private sector participants. Conducted investigations for $8.5 billion global logistics and freight management company covering 200+ import, export, transshipment and warehousing related transactions involving offices in France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Hungary, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates for compliance with U.S. sanctions laws against Iran, Cuba and Syria; Advised on the OFAC voluntary-self disclosure and penalty mitigation process; drafted OFAC and SEC filings regarding U.S. sanctions compliance and regulatory risk; developed targeted corrective actions affecting multiple major business units; conducted a comprehensive sanctions focused due-diligence review into 10,000+ transactional documents for a $300 million corporate bond-issuance.Developed a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and OFAC sanctions compliance program for a major online cosmetics and fragrance retailer; managed response to criminal subpoena; investigated imports for compliance with U.S. import and sanctions laws against Iran; drafted OFAC voluntary-self disclosure filings and FWS Petitions for Remissions for $600K of seized goods; advised on business process enhancements to integrate automated restricted party screening solutions and implement approved supplier program.Drafted, reviewed and negotiated commercial contracts; advised on general corporate governance, securities laws and M&A activity (including divestitures, corporate reorganizations, joint ventures and transaction financing).

With a concentration in corporate finance, Johny completed his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration Degrees at the Howard University School of Law and School of Business in 2010. At Howard, Johny developed a graduate school assignment that transformed into The Shapna Project (dba Shapna Tea and Coffee). Johny served as a Director for the organization.The Shapna Project was an initiative to fight poverty and environmental injustice through the sale of exquisite tea and coffee. Recognized at the May 27-29, 2009 “State of Environmental Justice in America Conference,” Shapna’s model of reinvesting 40% of net profits directly into community empowerment initiatives helped create economic opportunities for tea and coffee growers abroad and under-served communities in the US. The company is no longer in business.

Advised academic institutions, as well as medical, health, and environmental research firms on human subjects and animal research protections, scientific integrity/misconduct investigations, and grants administration matters. Advised automotive and manufacturing industries on international trade, export controls, sanctions, customs matters, anti-bribery and foreign boycotts matters.Advised pesticide, chemical substance, hazardous material and fuel industries on FIFRA, TSCA, CAA, CWA and RCRA laws and regulations. Advised on corporate/transactional matters (501c3 lobbying rules under HLOGA; review/drafting of contracts); telecom issues (defense in FCC enforcement actions); and FDA regulatory compliance (review/drafting of opinion letters).

Prior to law school, Johny worked as a paralegal at the law firm of Arnold & Porter where he assisted defense counsel in document tracking, retrieval and shipments for a $3 billion class-action pharmaceutical lawsuit.

Johny worked as an intern in the Capitol Hill Office of former Senator Pete V. Domenici on issues involving energy policy and funding for NASA and the National Science Foundation. There, he reviewed national energy policies, bills, and legislation; gained experience in energy reserve valuation techniques; reviewed funding measures for federal agencies; compiled election results; served as point of contact between constituents, special interest groups and staffers; and provided tours of the Capitol grounds.

Johny worked as an intern for Congressman Gregory Meeks in St. Albans, New York where he assisted in general office administration.