Olga Torres is the Managing Member of Torres Law, PLLC. Ms. Torres concentrates her practice in the areas international trade and national security law, anti-corruption compliance, and Customs matters.
In the area of U.S. export control, Ms. Torres counsels clients on compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and the various embargo and sanctions programs administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). She regularly represents clients before the U.S. Department of State Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), and the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
In the area of customs, Ms. Torres advises clients on import compliance matters, including customs rulings, classification, country of origin, special duty programs, focused assessments, C-TPAT, and seizures of goods by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. She also assists with antidumping/countervailing duty matters before the Import Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Ms. Torres also has experience representing companies in transactions subject to review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), and advises on measures to mitigate Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI).
Regarding anti-corruption matters, Ms. Torres counsels clients on compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and other anti-bribery laws. She has developed compliance programs and provided training for her clients. She also has experience conducting sensitive internal investigations, in English and Spanish, related to FCPA compliance.
Ms. Torres is a frequent speaker and moderator. She has lectured on export controls and international trade for organizations, universities, and government agencies in different countries, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Mexico, Thailand, France, and Canada. She authored several chapters in selected trade publications including the WorldECR’s Export Compliance Manager’s Handbook and the Society of International Affairs Export Voluntary Disclosure Handbook.
She was previously an attorney in the International & Cross Border Transactions group at Holland & Knight LLP in Washington, D.C.
In her spare time, Ms. Torres likes to travel, work out, eat spicy Indian, Thai, and Mexican food, and spend quality time with her family and sons.
Education & Admissions
A native Spanish speaker, Ms. Torres obtained her J.D. from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and her B.A. in Government from the University of Texas at Austin. As part of her undergraduate studies at the University of Texas, she studied French language and culture at La Sorbonne.
Ms. Torres is licensed to practice law in Washington, D.C., the State of Texas, Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Court of International Trade.
Representative Experience
- Assist multiple companies with issues related to CFIUS mandatory filing determinations as implemented by the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA).
- Assist a U.S.-based government contractor in connection with its acquisition by a Japanese company and related CFIUS issues, including CFIUS mitigation plan compliance and meetings with CFIUS Department of Defense monitors.
- Prepare CFIUS short-form declaration on behalf of global operations management consulting firm and coordination with client on legal strategy and preparation of declaration.
- Assist private equity division of a global investment bank with merger and acquisition trade due diligence concerns related to the potential impact of U.S. Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods, including preparation of public comments/exclusion requests for Section 301 tariffs on behalf of target company.
- Assist publicly-traded aerospace company and multiple subsidiaries in matters related to export compliance, including the successful closing of multiple voluntary self-disclosures with the Bureau of Industry and Security and the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls as well as Department of Defense 72-hour cyber security reporting obligations.
- Assist large Russian electronic component distribution company in connection with removal from a BIS listing designation.
- Assist global freight forwarder with ITAR Voluntary Disclosure and related issues.
- Assist multiple U.S. manufacturers in connection with the licensing of foreign national employees and the development and implementation of Technology Control Plans.
Appointments
As a recognized leader in trade law, Ms. Torres was recently reappointed by the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs to the Defense Trade Advisory Group (DTAG) for her fourth term. In this capacity, she advises the U.S. Department of State on its regulation of defense trade in accordance with the Arms Export Control Act and its implementing regulations under the ITAR.
Honors and Awards
- Ms. Torres is an Executive Member of the Latino Corporate Directors Association.
- In 2019, Ms. Torres was a finalist in the category Compliance Lawyer of the Year for the Women in Compliance Awards. In 2017 and 2018 Chambers and Partners USA listed Ms. Torres as a Recognized Practitioner in the areas of International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions law. Ms. Torres was also named to the Who’s Who Legal: Trade and Customs 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 publications.
- In 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, Ms. Torres was rated as a “Super Lawyer” for Thompson Reuter’s “Super Lawyers” publication, a distinction given to less than 2.5 percent of the attorneys in the State of Texas.
- Ms. Torres was elected as a member of the Dallas Committee on Foreign Relations in 2016. Members are elected on the basis of their demonstrated value and informed interest in foreign policy, international affairs, and international business. She is a member of the Society for International Affairs and the Washington International Trade Association.
- Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, she was recognized by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals for her legal pro bono services, Washington, D.C. (2012 and 2013).
- Dedman School of Law, (Merit-Based) Ford Foundation Scholarship Recipient.
- University of Texas at Austin, (Merit-Based) Study Abroad Scholarship Recipient.
- University of Texas at Austin, College Scholar and University Honors.
Selected Publications & Speaking Engagements
- Olga Torres, Maria Alonso, and Donna Wedgeworth, Due Diligence and Best Practices to Avoid Forced Labor in Supply Chains, Bloomberg Law, Professional Perspective, December 2020.
- Olga Torres and Maria Alonso, What Corporate Lawyers Need to Know About Changes in U.S. Foreign Investment Laws, State Bar of Texas International Law Section, International Newsletter, Vol. 2, No. 1, Winter 2020.
- Olga Torres and Maria Alonso, Complying with US Export Control and Immigration and Anti-discrimination Laws, WorldECR, Issue 84, November 2019.
- Olga Torres and Maria Alonso, Proposed Regulations Set to Expand Authority of CFIUS, State Bar of Texas International Law Section, International Newsletter, Vol. 1, No. 2, Winter 2018.
- USMCA Rapid Response Panel, National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA), (September 9, 2020).
- How to Make USMCA Work for You – Changes in Customs and Rules of Origin, Virtual Women’s Global Trade Empowerment Forum (September 1, 2020).
- USMCA, Richardson Chamber of Commerce (August 20, 2020).
- Best Practices for Export Compliance/Drafting an Export Compliance Policy for Your Company to Deal with Heightened Export Control, National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA), Virtual Conference, (August 5, 2020).
- Investigations and VSDs, Professional Association of Exporters and Importers (P.A.E.I.), (June 18, 2020).
- USMCA Preparedness, New Jersey District Export Council (June 11, 2020).
- Labor & Trade: Is Mexico Ready for USMCA’s Labor Chapter?, The U.S.-Mexico Bar Association & Vazquez Tercero & Zepeda Abogados (June 2, 2020).
- USMCA Preparedness, Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), (May 21, 2020).
- USMCA vs. NAFTA, Professional Association of Exporters and Importers (P.A.E.I.), (April 16, 2020).
- The Paradox of Compliance: ITAR and Anti-Discrimination Concerns, Export Compliance Training Institute (February 11, 2020).
- Exporting By or For the U.S. Government: ITAR 126.4 Exemption Expansion and Benefits to Exporters, Defense Trade Solutions & the National Defense Industrial Association (August 22, 2019).
- Preparing Voluntary Self-Disclosures: Requirements, Best Practices, and Pitfalls to Avoid, Export Compliance Training Institute (ECTI) (July 18, 2019).
- Mitigating the Financial Impact of Venezuelan Sanctions, Hanson Wade Oil & Gas Supply Chain Compliance Conference, Houston, Texas (April 26, 2019).
- Trade Wars: Trade Compliance Strikes Back, International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA) 2019 Annual Conference, Lake Buena Vista, Florida (March 24, 2019).
- ITAR Boot Camp, American Conference, Chicago, Illinois (June 5, 2018).
- Harmonized Tariff Schedule Classification Webinar, National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association (NCBFAA) (April 19, 2017).
- Preparing Successful ITAR Commodity Jurisdiction Requests, International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA), Miami, Florida (March 14, 2017).
- Exports & Imports into China, International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA) DFW Conference, Grapevine, Texas (October 11, 2016).
- Merger & Acquisition Trade Due Diligence Webinar, Clear Law Institute (August 29, 2016).
- Merger, Acquisition, Divestitures and Trade Compliance Considerations, the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association (NCBFAA) NEI Annual G-TEC Conference, Atlanta, Georgia (August 9, 2016).
- Customs Audits, Clear Law Institute, (July 12, 2016).
- Torres, O. and Sefton, D., BIS Is Stepping Up Enforcement – Are You Ready? Law360 April 10, 2014. Torres, O. and McCauley, A. (2014) The Intersection of Anti-Corruption and Export Enforcement: Why Compliance Programs Should Include Both, WorldECR, March 2014.
- Braumiller, A. and Torres, O. (2014) A Closer Look at Weatherford’s Export Violations, Law360 January 2014. Epstein, J. and Torres, O. (2013) Initial Export Control Reforms Take Effect: Is Your Company Ready?, Compliance Alliance Update, October 2013.
- Oleynik R. and Torres, O. (2013) Are Voluntary Self-Disclosures with the U.S. Export Agencies a Good Idea?, WorldECR, May 2013.
- U.S. Export Reform Developments and Impact on Business, The WorldECR Export Controls & Sanctions Forum, London, United Kingdom (October 12, 2015).
- U.S. Export Reform Developments and Impact on Business, The WorldECR Export Controls & Sanctions Forum, Washington, DC (September 21, 2015).
- Export Enforcement Trends, 9th Annual Defense Exports Conference, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (October 1-2, 2014).
- Traversing the Leading Logistical Trade Corridor, Laredo International Trade Conference, 2014 Laredo, Texas (October 8-10, 2014).
- North American Strategy for Competitiveness: International Trade Considerations, 2014 NASCO Conference, Mexico City, Mexico (September 25, 2014).
- Export Controls & Sanctions Enforcement Panel, Washington Foreign Law Society, Washington, D.C. (June 27, 2014).
- Routed Export Transactions: Mitigation of Risk and Best Practices, National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America Educational Institute, (June 10, 2014).
- Introduction to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America Educational Institute, (May 13, 2014).
- What Keeps You Up at Night? Mitigating Trade Compliance and Corruption Risks, Texas Lawyer Events, (March 27, April 10, October 16, and November 6, 2014).
- Creating a Successful Export Management and Compliance Program, webinar for Compliance Online (June 11, 2013). Exporting & Doing Business Abroad, International Panel – BUSINESS EXPO 2013, Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Washington, DC (April 2, 2012).
- What Canadian Companies Should Know About ITAR Export Reform, AERO Montreal Aerospace Summit Global Supply Chain, Montreal, Canada (September 28, 2012).
- Legal Aspects of Globalization and International Trade, Burgundy School of Business, Dijon, France (October 19, 2011).
- U.S. Export Controls and FCPA, Exporting with the Experts at the University of Texas at Dallas and Richland College, a five week educational program focused on business of exporting products and services abroad (2011-2012).
- International Trade Compliance, Investment and Risk Mitigation Panel for the 13th Annual African Economic Forum and Heritage Festival. Dallas, Texas (July 15, 2011). Creating a Successful Export Management and Compliance Program, webinar for Compliance Online (February 22, 2011).
- U.S. Export Controls, Industry-Government Seminar on Strategic Trade Management for the Department of Foreign Trade Ministry of Commerce in Thailand and the U.S. Department of Energy. Bangkok, Thailand (November 16, 2010).
- Non-U.S. Trade Controls: A Deeper Dive, Latin American Panel Moderator, presented by the North Texas District Export Council. Dallas, Texas (May 18, 2009).
- International Trade Due Diligence: Merger and Acquisition Transactions, Annual Export/Import Conference for NEC Corporation. Dallas, Texas (April 28, 2009).
