Randall Johnston

Randall Johnston leads Vinson & Elkins’ National Security Reviews (CFIUS) practice. She brings a decade of experience guiding clients through some of the most complex and high-profile transactions before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).

Randall has advised on thousands of transactions. Randall represents both foreign acquirers and U.S. businesses in national security reviews before CFIUS. Randall guides clients on CFIUS and other national security aspects of their transactions from the letter of intent (LOI) and structuring stage through CFIUS clearance and beyond. Randall has negotiated some of the most complex National Security Agreements with CFIUS to obtain CFIUS clearance and helps clients comply with the terms of such agreements. She also has negotiated divestment agreements for post-closing reviews when CFIUS clearance cannot be obtained.

Randall is a leading practitioner on global laws relating to national security review and foreign investment (or FDI) filings triggered by cross-border transactions, and is noted for efficiently quarterbacking FDI filings across multiple jurisdictions, including for dozens of multi-million and multi-billion dollar transactions. Randall’s practice also includes advising on matters relating to sanctions, export controls, customs, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Randall is recognized as providing “a very high level of strategic support” (Legal 500, 2022). She “understands the facts of the case, coordinates with clients very well and is enjoyable to work with.” (Chambers and Partners, 2024).