Stephen J. McHale
Partner, Washington, DC
T +1 202 457 6344
stephen.mchale@squirepb.com
Practice Focus
 Homeland Security, Defense,
and Technology Transfer
 Administrative and
Regulatory
 International Trade
 Trade and Trade Policy
Education
 American University Law
School, J.D., 1980
 Nottingham University,
England, B.A., 1977
Admissions
 District of Columbia
 Maryland
 U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Stephen McHale advises businesses on issues of national security law
and policy, including Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations
and enforcement proceedings. Mr. McHale has particular experience in
international investment and trade matters, representing domestic and
international clients before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the
United States (CFIUS) in national security reviews of foreign investments.
He is co-chair of Patton Boggs’ Homeland Security, Defense and
Technology Transfer practice group.
Mr. McHale helps clients navigate U.S. and international economic
sanctions, representing their interests before the U.S State Department
and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in license proceedings and
administrative enforcement and compliance actions. He works
extensively on U.S. efforts to expand its extraterritorial jurisdiction in such
matters. His international trade practice includes advising clients on U.S.
and international trade controls that govern the transfer of defense
articles, defense services or technical data, and "dual-use" products and
technology.
Prior to joining Patton Boggs, Mr. McHale held a variety of senior
management and legal positions during 24 years of government service
in the departments of Justice, Treasury, Transportation and Homeland
Security. Mr. McHale served as the first deputy administrator of the U.S.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and oversaw the
federalization of aviation security after the September 11 attacks.
Mr. McHale was a lawyer with Treasury for 12 years, serving as acting
general counsel for five months during the Clinton-Bush transition. In
another position, as the Treasury’s chief enforcement counsel, he
handled matters involving the Secret Service, Customs Service, Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Financial Crimes
Enforcement Network (FinCEN), OFAC and CFIUS. He helped develop
the financial provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act and the 2000 and 2001
National Anti-Money Laundering Strategies. He also served as legal
adviser to the Secretary of the Treasury on matters of national security
and intelligence.
Based on deep experience acquired during his service to key government
agencies, Mr. McHale advises clients on a range of matters involving
aviation security, customs enforcement, global anti-money laundering and
counter terrorist financing controls. As a former Chief Counsel of ATF, Mr.
McHale also advises clients on the federal taxation and regulation of
alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives. Mr. McHale has testified before
Congress on many occasions, and he has extensive experience
representing clients in Congressional investigations and hearings.
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PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

American Bar Association

Forum Committee on Air and Space Law

Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice

Homeland Security and National Defense Committee

Section of International Law

Africa Committee

Export Controls and Economic Sanctions Committee

International Anti-Corruption Committee

National Security Committee

Exon-Florio Practitioners Group
HONORS AND AWARDS
Mr. McHale received numerous awards and commendations throughout
his Federal service, including:

Presidential Rank Award

Treasury Department’s Distinguished Service Medal

General Counsel’s Award for Excellence in Management

Federal Employee of the Year Award, Partnership for Public Service

TSA Honor Award
PUBLICATIONS, SPEECHES, PRESENTATIONS

Guest, “Ralls v. Committee on Foreign Investment in the United
States (CFIUS),” Capital Thinking Radio Show (July 24, 2014)

Guest, “Removal of a Foreign National From the Office of Foreign
Assets Control’s Special Designated Nationals List,” Capital Thinking
Radio Show (March 13, 2014)

“Avoiding the Money Laundering Trap,” Counsel to Counsel (March
2009)

Author, “Anti-Money Laundering Programs for Dealers in Precious
Metals, Stones or Jewels,” Patton Boggs LLP (June 9, 2005)

Co-author, “Industrial Security After the Election,” Coal Age Magazine
(January 2005)
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