Overview
Randall V. Johnston is Of Counsel in the National Security & International Trade practice, with years of experience guiding clients through national security and investment law processes prior to closing international transactions.
Ms. Johnston has advised on thousands of transactions, including in national security reviews before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), as well as on matters relating to sanctions, export controls, customs, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, and the Freedom of Information Act. Her recent CFIUS experience includes negotiating complex National Security Agreements with CFIUS involving Chinese-owned acquirers.
Ms. Johnston has become 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. She also provides practical structural advice in relation to CFIUS and FDI matters.
Ms. Johnston maintains an active pro bono practice. She spearheaded a landmark victory representing veterans and their caregivers to obtain appellate rights of caregiver benefits, and has been involved in precedent-setting representation of an Army veteran to obtain health benefits.
Prior to joining Paul Hastings, Ms. Johnston clerked for the Honorable Kristine G. Baker in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. She received her law degree from New York University School of Law, where she served on the Law Review and was awarded the Vanderbilt Medal for outstanding contributions to the law school. Ms. Johnston is admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia, New York, Arkansas, and Missouri.
Recognitions
- The Legal 500, 2023 – "Rising Star," noted practitioner in nationally-ranked International Trade, CFIUS practice
- The Legal 500, 2022 – “Rising Star,” noted practitioner in nationally-ranked International Trade practice
- The Legal 500, 2021 – Noted practitioner in nationally-ranked Dispute Resolution: International Trade practice
- American Lawyer’s Litigation Daily, April 2021 – Runner-Up Litigators of the Week
- Paul Hastings 2021 Impact Award - Pro Bono Leader
- Public Counsel, 2019 Pro Bono Award presented to Paul Hastings Veteran’s Caregiver Litigation team
Education
- New York University School of Law, J.D., 2013
- Swarthmore College, B.A., 2009
news
- Paul Hastings Advised The Riverside Company in its Investment in U.S. Cabinet Depot - March 13th, 2024
- Paul Hastings Secures Pro Bono Victory for U.S. Veterans and Caregivers - February 29th, 2024
- Paul Hastings Advises Madison Industries in $226 Million Purchase of CAE Healthcare - October 25th, 2023
- Paul Hastings Advised Industrial Growth Partners in the Sale of Des-Case - September 7th, 2023
- Paul Hastings Advised Wynnchurch Capital in the Sale of Midland Industries - September 5th, 2023
- Paul Hastings Advises STG in $1.4 Billion Take-Private of Avid Technology - August 9th, 2023
- Paul Hastings Advises Francisco Partners and TPG in $6.5 Billion Take-Private of New Relic - July 31st, 2023
- Paul Hastings Advised Micronics Engineered Filtration Group in Acquisition of AFT - July 28th, 2023
- Paul Hastings Advises Francisco Partners and Forcepoint in Sale of its G2CI Business to TPG - July 12th, 2023
- Paul Hastings Advised STG Partners in Acquisition of Wrike - July 12th, 2023
- Paul Hastings Advises Quotient Technology, Inc. in $430 Million Business Combination with Neptune Retail Solutions - June 22nd, 2023
- Paul Hastings Advised Symphony Technology Group in $1.5 Billion Acquisition of Momentive Global - June 2nd, 2023
- Paul Hastings Advises Vector Capital in Acquisition of Riverbed Technology - May 30th, 2023
- Paul Hastings Advises Symphony Technology Group in $1.5 Billion Acquisition of Momentive Global - March 14th, 2023
- Paul Hastings Advised SD Biosensor and SJL Partners in Acquisition of Meridian Bioscience - February 6th, 2023
- Paul Hastings Advises Vector Capital in Sale of MarkLogic to Progress - January 3rd, 2023
- Paul Hastings Advises Foxconn in Strategic Partnership and Investment in Lordstown Motors - November 9th, 2022
- Sensata Technologies to Acquire Dynapower - May 9th, 2022
- Francisco Partners Announces Sale of Quest Software - November 30th, 2021
- Foxconn and Lordstown Motors Enter Into a Transformative, Strategic Partnership - November 10th, 2021
Recognitions
insights
- OFAC Issues New General Licenses for Venezuela, Suspending Sanctions in Certain Sectors - November 17th, 2023
- New U.S. Outbound Investment Restrictions on High-Technology Sectors in China - August 11th, 2023
- President Biden Executive Order Signal to Industry of CFIUS’s Importance, Without Process Changes - September 21st, 2022
- U.S. Expands Sanctions on Belarus, Aligning More Closely with Canada, EU, and UK - December 3rd, 2021
- New Rule Requires Disclosure of Foreign Ownership of Government-Leased Spaces - July 12th, 2021
- China Enacts Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law: Increasing Uncertainty for Companies with China Operations - June 16th, 2021
- The Biden Administration’s U.S.-China Policy Takes Shape - March 19th, 2021
- French Authorities Block U.S. Acquisition of French Company - January 13th, 2021
- U.S. Government Publishes White Paper Following Schrems II Decision - October 5th, 2020
- Nine Things You Need to Know About the Trump Administration Sanctions Against TikTok and WeChat - August 10th, 2020
- New Targeted and Secondary Sanctions Regime For Hong Kong and the PRC - July 17th, 2020
- More Clarity, More Complexity: New CFIUS Rules Put Spotlight on Mandatory Filings - May 28th, 2020
- Mandatory BE-10 Benchmark Survey of U.S. Investment Abroad Due May 29, 2020 - May 28th, 2020
- Commerce Department Increases Restrictions on Exports to China, Russia, and Venezuela - April 29th, 2020
- Humanitarian Aid to Iran Under Existing Sanctions–An Important Reminder in a Time of Pandemic - April 21st, 2020
- The New CFIUS Regulations: How Will This Actually Work? FAQs We Wish Treasury Would Answer - February 20th, 2020
- New Rules for CFIUS: How Investment Funds Can React and Take Advantage - February 19th, 2020
- Something Familiar, Something New: OFAC’s Compliance Program Framework - May 6th, 2019
- CFIUS’s New Pilot Program Signals an Expansive Approach to Its Jurisdiction Under FIRRMA - October 16th, 2018
- The “Transformative” CFIUS Bill: Not So Fast. - August 13th, 2018
Involvement
- Randall is an active member of the Elwood L. Thomas American Inn of Court.