Privatization of Aerospace & Defense Business: Conversion, Governance and Compliance

A&D companies needs to be considered

The efficient use of resources by companies in the A&D industry is critically important, given the highly competitive and global nature of this industry, as well as the industry’s vital national security mission. To promote and enhance efficiency in this industry, privatization of state-owned or controlled A&D companies needs to be considered in order to improve productivity, reduce costs, raise the operational efficiency of facilities and investments, create new business and production facilities, streamline management, strengthen compliance controls, and enhance national security interests.

HERDEM co-hosts a podcast on Privatization of Aerospace & Defense Business: Conversion, Governance and Compliance together with Howard O. Weissman, Senior Counsel at Miller Canfield in Washington, DC, with the special focus on the below subjects with case studies:

• An outlook on privatization in A&D business worldwide
• Key Points in Conversion
• Best Practices for Governance and Compliance

Howard O. Weissman:

Howard Weissman has decades of experience from both an in-house and outside counsel perspective advising on laws and regulations impacting international business operations, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and other anti-corruption laws, antiboycott laws, and offset transactions. He has designed and implemented corporate anti-corruption compliance and training programs and has conducted and advised on the adequacy of FCPA due diligence with respect to proposed mergers and acquisitions, offset transactions, international joint ventures, consultants, representatives, and other third parties.

Howard routinely advises on the structuring of transactions to comply with the FCPA and related laws. He also supervises and participates in conducting internal investigations and audits to determine compliance with such laws and regulations and advises on the consequences of such investigations and audits, including the development of appropriate defenses, disclosures, disciplinary actions and compliance policies. He also provides advice on resolving disputes with international consultants, representatives and other third parties and on compliance with certain local law issues affecting the defense industry such as the prohibition on intermediation in armament or other defense-related sales in certain countries.

Howard previously served as Vice President and Associate General Counsel-International at Lockheed Martin Corporation, where he worked for more than 25 years.