Represents individuals, companies, and financial institutions in OFAC sanctions and compliance matters, advising on risk, licensing, and delisting while advocating for clients in administrative proceedings before OFAC and in federal court.
Charlie Lyons is Counsel at Ferrari & Associates. He represents individuals, companies, and financial institutions in matters involving U.S. economic sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Mr. Lyons advises clients on sanctions risk, licensing, asset unblocking, internal investigations, voluntary self-disclosures, and compliance programs. His work involves sanctions authorities targeting Russia, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, cyber-related threats, and conduct addressed under Global Magnitsky and other human rights and corruption programs.
He also represents clients before OFAC in enforcement, licensing, and delisting matters and in related federal litigation under the Administrative Procedure Act and the U.S. Constitution. His work spans technology, financial services, energy, maritime operations, and other businesses engaged in cross-border activity.
Focus Areas
OFAC sanctions counseling and risk assessments
Administrative delisting and SDN reconsideration
OFAC licensing and interpretive guidance
Asset unblocking and post-designation matters
Internal investigations and voluntary self-disclosures
Sanctions enforcement response
Administrative Procedure Act litigation
Cross-border compliance programs and internal controls
Experience
Mr. Lyons advises clients across major OFAC sanctions programs, including those involving Russia, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, cyber-related threats, and Global Magnitsky authorities. His work spans compliance counseling, internal investigations, licensing, asset unblocking, voluntary self-disclosures, enforcement matters, and administrative delisting.
He represents U.S. and international clients before OFAC and in federal court. He also advises technology, financial, energy, and maritime businesses on sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, policies, procedures, and internal controls for global operations.
Education
J.D., American University Washington College of Law
B.S., Towson University – Political Science
Admissions
- District of Columbia
Charlie Lyons is Counsel at Ferrari & Associates. He represents individuals, companies, and financial institutions in matters involving U.S. economic sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Mr. Lyons advises clients on sanctions risk, licensing, asset unblocking, internal investigations, voluntary self-disclosures, and compliance programs. His work involves sanctions authorities targeting Russia, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, cyber-related threats, and conduct addressed under Global Magnitsky and other human rights and corruption programs.
He also represents clients before OFAC in enforcement, licensing, and delisting matters and in related federal litigation under the Administrative Procedure Act and the U.S. Constitution. His work spans technology, financial services, energy, maritime operations, and other businesses engaged in cross-border activity.
Representative Matters
U.S. Technology Company
Defended a U.S.-based technology company in an OFAC enforcement matter involving Cuba-related restrictions, resulting in a cautionary letter rather than a civil monetary penalty.
Foreign Financial Institution
Advised an India-based financial institution on Russia-related sanctions, including requirements associated with the Russian oil price cap.
Foreign Advisory Company
Advised on OFAC blocking restrictions and obtained licenses authorizing the unblocking of multiple properties and financial accounts.
U.S. Energy Company
Advised on Venezuela-related sanctions and obtained a specific license authorizing participation in otherwise prohibited projects.
UAE-Based Individual
Represented a UAE-based Indian national in an administrative reconsideration matter that resulted in removal from OFAC’s sanctions list following comprehensive remediation.