Erik Woodhouse
Overview
Erik Woodhouse is a partner in Crowell & Moring’s Washington, D.C. office and a member of the firm's International Trade and Financial Services groups, where he provides in-depth experience and practical solutions on sensitive economic sanctions and anti-money laundering matters, informed by his experience in private practice and in government at the Department of the Treasury and the Department of State.
Career & Education
- Department of State
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Division for Counter Threat Finance and Sanctions, Bureau of Economic & Business Affairs, 2021–2024
Attorney-Adviser, Treaty Affairs, Office of the Legal Adviser, 2012–2014
Attorney-Adviser, Human Rights and Refugee Affairs, Office of the Legal Adviser, 2009–2012 - Department of the Treasury
Counselor, Office of International Affairs, 2016–2017
Senior Advisor to Under Secretary for International Affairs, Office of International Affairs, 2014–2016
- Department of State
The George Washington University School of Law, Professional Lecturer in Law. Course: International Litigation, Spring 2019 and Spring 2020
Stanford University, Program on Energy & Sustainable Development, Post-Doctoral Fellow, 2004-2005
- Stanford Law School, J.D., with distinction, 2004
- Emory University, B.A., 2000
- District of Columbia
- New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- Clerk to Circuit Judge M. Margaret McKeown, 2005
- Clerk to Circuit Judge M. Margaret McKeown, 2006
Erik's Insights
Client Alert | 9 min read | 07.18.25
U.S. Lifts Most Sanctions on Syria in Major Policy Development
On June 30, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14312 effectively lifting (or beginning the process of lifting) most of the sanctions on Syria. Executive Order 14312 cites the leadership changes and the policies of the new Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa as the reasons for the removal of sanctions. On the same day, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Department of State took steps to implement the termination of the program by, among other actions, delisting appropriate individuals and entities from the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List). These actions followed the initial sanctions relief provided on May 23, 2025 by OFAC, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), and the State Department.
Representative Matters
- Advised major U.S. multinational company in responding to OFAC investigation and directly managed the internal investigation and team of associates that supported the client’s response.
- Advised U.S., European and Latin American multinational companies, financial institutions, and insurers on U.S. sanctions rules.
- Prepared and submitted voluntary self-disclosures and license requests to OFAC.
- Advised major U.S./European banks, companies, and fintech clients on Bank Secrecy Act compliance, including customer due diligence rule and application of Bank Secrecy Act rules to money services businesses.
Erik's Insights
Client Alert | 9 min read | 07.18.25
U.S. Lifts Most Sanctions on Syria in Major Policy Development
On June 30, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14312 effectively lifting (or beginning the process of lifting) most of the sanctions on Syria. Executive Order 14312 cites the leadership changes and the policies of the new Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa as the reasons for the removal of sanctions. On the same day, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Department of State took steps to implement the termination of the program by, among other actions, delisting appropriate individuals and entities from the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List). These actions followed the initial sanctions relief provided on May 23, 2025 by OFAC, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), and the State Department.
Insights
Outgoing Official: Biden Administration Will Leave Legacy Of International Sanctions Cooperation
|11.18.24
Global Investigation Review
The Maximum Pressure Campaign Escalates: OFAC Designates a Chinese Refiner of Iranian Crude
|03.20.25
Crowell & Moring’s International Trade Law
President Trump’s Executive Orders & Actions – Sanctions
|01.23.25
Crowell & Moring’s International Trade Law
Parting Shots by Biden Administration in the Form of Sweeping New Russia Sanctions
|01.21.25
Crowell & Moring’s International Trade Law
OFAC Issues New Syria General License and Updates FAQs
|01.09.25
Crowell & Moring’s International Trade Law
Erik's Insights
Client Alert | 9 min read | 07.18.25
U.S. Lifts Most Sanctions on Syria in Major Policy Development
On June 30, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14312 effectively lifting (or beginning the process of lifting) most of the sanctions on Syria. Executive Order 14312 cites the leadership changes and the policies of the new Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa as the reasons for the removal of sanctions. On the same day, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Department of State took steps to implement the termination of the program by, among other actions, delisting appropriate individuals and entities from the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List). These actions followed the initial sanctions relief provided on May 23, 2025 by OFAC, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), and the State Department.