Hrishikesh Hari

Practice Areas

Hrishikesh N. Hari (“Hrishi”) serves as co-chair of the Dechert's national security practice in Washington, D.C. He advises private equity investors, asset managers, financial institutions and major companies on national security reviews, foreign investment controls, U.S. outbound investment measures, economic sanctions, anti-money laundering, export controls, anti-corruption and related government enforcement matters. In recent years, he has guided clients through transactions with a combined value exceeding US$100 billion, providing strategic counsel across every stage of the deal cycle.

Mr. Hari has extensive experience advising on national security reviews of foreign direct investment (FDI) and complex cross‑border transactions before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). He regularly counsels foreign investors and domestic sellers on managing CFIUS risk in connection with fundraising, mergers and acquisitions, minority investments, syndications and exits. His experience spans the full lifecycle of CFIUS engagement – from structuring transactions and preparing filings, to advocacy during review and investigation, to negotiating mitigation agreements when required.

Mr. Hari also counsels clients on matters involving foreign ownership, control or influence (FOCI) before the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), including negotiating special security agreements, proxy agreements, security control agreements and FOCI board resolutions.

He represents clients in a broad range of national security‑related transactional, compliance and enforcement matters arising under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), U.S. anti-money laundering laws, economic sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the U.S. outbound investment security program (OISP) and U.S. customs and tariff laws. He regularly assists clients with designing and enhancing risk‑based compliance programs, conducting internal investigations, and assessing and mitigating regulatory risks in cross‑border transactions.

Clients frequently turn to Mr. Hari for guidance on emerging regulatory and policy developments affecting international trade, cross‑border investment and national security. He has represented clients before the Executive Office of the President, multilateral development banks, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Departments of Commerce, Defense, Energy, Homeland Security, Justice, State and Treasury, among others.

Mr. Hari is also committed to human rights and access to justice. His pro bono work includes securing the release of prisoners of conscience in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia through direct legal representation and targeted advocacy.