Jenner & Block Expands Sanctions Capabilities with Return of Rachel Alpert, Former OFAC Chief Counsel

Rachel Alpert rejoins the firm after leading the Office of Foreign Assets Control legal team as part of the US Department of the Treasury. She will co-chair the National Security and Crisis and the Human Rights and Global Strategy practices, bringing extensive experience from the front lines of US sanction development, implementation, and enforcement.

WASHINGTON, DC - September 9, 2025: Jenner & Block is pleased to announce that Rachel Alpert has rejoined the firm as a partner in its Washington, DC office. Rachel will serve as co-chair of the National Security and Crisis Practice alongside Shoba Pillay and Shreve Ariail. She will also serve as co-chair of the Human Rights and Global Strategy Practice and play a key role in the Investigations, Compliance, and Defense Practice. Rachel returns after serving as Chief Counsel to the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), where she led the legal team advising on the development, implementation, enforcement, and removal of US sanctions.

Rachel brings unparalleled insight into national security strategy and sanctions policy at a moment of heightened geopolitical uncertainty and multi-jurisdictional disputes. At Treasury, she played a central role in drafting Executive Orders, briefed Congressional staff on sanctions matters, and coordinated extensively with the Departments of State, Commerce, and Justice, as well as the National Security Council and the White House.

"Rachel’s return builds on our ability to help clients navigate the increasingly complex intersection of national security, trade, and global business," said Co-Managing Partners Ishan Bhabha and Randy Mehrberg. "Her experience at the helm of OFAC's legal team will offer our clients unparalleled insight and practical guidance as they face today’s most intricate compliance and regulatory challenges. "

Rachel’s career covers the full spectrum of challenges facing global businesses today—from navigating Iran’s maximum pressure campaign, to mitigating cartel-related risks in Latin America, to addressing China-linked supply chain vulnerabilities and critical minerals considerations. Before her tenure at Treasury, she served as an Attorney-Adviser at the US State Department under four Secretaries of State and two Presidents.

She rejoins Shoba Pillay and Shreve Ariail as co-chair of the National Security and Crisis Practice, complementing the team's existing strengths in CFIUS, export controls, and national security litigation.

"Rachel’s extensive government and private practice experience uniquely positions her to help clients understand not only what the law requires, but how policy is shaped and implemented across government,” said Co-Chairs Shoba and Shreve. “At a time when sanctions, central tools of foreign policy, are impacting businesses and organizations across the globe, Rachel's background is invaluable."

"I'm thrilled to return to Jenner & Block at such a dynamic moment for the firm and our clients," said Rachel. "The firm's commitment to excellence, collaborative culture, and fearless service were what drew me here initially. I look forward to working with this exceptional team to help clients navigate an increasingly complex global landscape."

Rachel holds a JD from Harvard Law School, an MA from Tel Aviv University, and a BA from Yale University.

Related Locations

© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

Jenner & Block Expands Sanctions Capabilities with Return of Rachel Alpert, Former OFAC Chief Counsel

Rachel Alpert rejoins the firm after leading the Office of Foreign Assets Control legal team as part of the US Department of the Treasury. She will co-chair the National Security and Crisis and the Human Rights and Global Strategy practices, bringing extensive experience from the front lines of US sanction development, implementation, and enforcement.

WASHINGTON, DC - September 9, 2025: Jenner & Block is pleased to announce that Rachel Alpert has rejoined the firm as a partner in its Washington, DC office. Rachel will serve as co-chair of the National Security and Crisis Practice alongside Shoba Pillay and Shreve Ariail. She will also serve as co-chair of the Human Rights and Global Strategy Practice and play a key role in the Investigations, Compliance, and Defense Practice. Rachel returns after serving as Chief Counsel to the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), where she led the legal team advising on the development, implementation, enforcement, and removal of US sanctions.

Rachel brings unparalleled insight into national security strategy and sanctions policy at a moment of heightened geopolitical uncertainty and multi-jurisdictional disputes. At Treasury, she played a central role in drafting Executive Orders, briefed Congressional staff on sanctions matters, and coordinated extensively with the Departments of State, Commerce, and Justice, as well as the National Security Council and the White House.

"Rachel’s return builds on our ability to help clients navigate the increasingly complex intersection of national security, trade, and global business," said Co-Managing Partners Ishan Bhabha and Randy Mehrberg. "Her experience at the helm of OFAC's legal team will offer our clients unparalleled insight and practical guidance as they face today’s most intricate compliance and regulatory challenges. "

Rachel’s career covers the full spectrum of challenges facing global businesses today—from navigating Iran’s maximum pressure campaign, to mitigating cartel-related risks in Latin America, to addressing China-linked supply chain vulnerabilities and critical minerals considerations. Before her tenure at Treasury, she served as an Attorney-Adviser at the US State Department under four Secretaries of State and two Presidents.

She rejoins Shoba Pillay and Shreve Ariail as co-chair of the National Security and Crisis Practice, complementing the team's existing strengths in CFIUS, export controls, and national security litigation.

"Rachel’s extensive government and private practice experience uniquely positions her to help clients understand not only what the law requires, but how policy is shaped and implemented across government,” said Co-Chairs Shoba and Shreve. “At a time when sanctions, central tools of foreign policy, are impacting businesses and organizations across the globe, Rachel's background is invaluable."

"I'm thrilled to return to Jenner & Block at such a dynamic moment for the firm and our clients," said Rachel. "The firm's commitment to excellence, collaborative culture, and fearless service were what drew me here initially. I look forward to working with this exceptional team to help clients navigate an increasingly complex global landscape."

Rachel holds a JD from Harvard Law School, an MA from Tel Aviv University, and a BA from Yale University.

Related Locations

© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

News and Insights

Publications

Emily Loeb Discusses Congressional Oversight Preparedness in Bloomberg Law

Partner Emily Loeb, co-chair of Jenner & Block's Congressional Investigations Practice, spoke with Bloomberg Law article about how companies can prepare for potential oversight exposure ahead of this fall's midterm elections.

July 7, 2026

Publications

In New York Law Journal, The True Lender Doctrine and the OppFi Decision

Partners Jeremy Creelan, Michael Ross, Megan Poetzel, and Laurel Loomis Rimon, and Associate Molly Oberstein-Allen authored an article for the New York Law Journal examining the "True Lender" doctrine in light of a May 2026 California decision that provides the most detailed judicial framework to date for evaluating bank-nonbank lending partnerships.

July 1, 2026

Event

Partner Michael Vernick to Speak at NACUA's 2026 Annual Conference

On July 1, Partner Michael Vernick will speak on a panel at the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) 2026 Annual Conference in Nashville.

July 1, 2026