Davis Polk today announced that leading national security lawyer and former White House and U.S. Treasury Department official Benjamin G. Joseloff has joined the firm as a partner in the national security practice in New York.

“Ben has significant experience handling CFIUS matters, both in private practice and in senior government roles across administrations, as well as matters involving the outbound investment security program. As we continue to grow our M&A practice, and as our clients contend with new rules relating to national security, Ben is an important addition to our outstanding national security team,” said Neil Barr, Davis Polk’s Chair and Managing Partner. “We are pleased to welcome him to Davis Polk.”

Mr. Joseloff advises U.S. and international clients on the regulatory aspects of cross-border mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, investments and other business transactions, particularly on matters related to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). He joins Davis Polk from Cravath, where he was a partner since 2024 in the Corporate Department.

Mr. Joseloff previously served for several years in the U.S. government, holding senior legal and policy roles involving national security and foreign investment. He is one of few practitioners to have served as both a CFIUS lawyer at Treasury and a CFIUS policymaker at the White House, giving him deep, hands-on experience with every facet of the CFIUS process, from conducting initial jurisdictional analyses to coordinating presidential prohibitions.

From 2017 to 2018, Mr. Joseloff served as Director for International Trade and Investment at the National Security Council (NSC) and the National Economic Council (NEC), where he coordinated White House efforts relating to the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018, the most substantial update and expansion of CFIUS in 30 years. He went on to serve as Senior Counsel and CFIUS Lead Counsel at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where he led a team of attorneys that provided legal advice in connection with the Treasury Secretary’s role as Chairperson of CFIUS.

During his time at the White House and Treasury, Mr. Joseloff participated in the review and resolution of hundreds of CFIUS transactions, negotiated or supervised the negotiation of dozens of CFIUS mitigation agreements, drafted portions of the CFIUS regulations and coordinated numerous engagements with U.S. allies and partners on investment security matters.

“Ben has an outstanding reputation as a smart and pragmatic CFIUS lawyer. His experience working both in a sophisticated transactional practice and in senior roles in Treasury and the White House on international investment matters is a perfect fit for our practice and will be tremendously valuable to our clients,” said Paul D. Marquardt, head of Davis Polk’s national security practice. “We are thrilled to have him on our team.”

Mr. Joseloff said, “Davis Polk’s national security practice is among the most elite in the country. I am honored to join such a talented group of lawyers and look forward to working with colleagues across practices to guide our clients through their most significant and sensitive transactions.”

Chambers USA recognizes Mr. Joseloff for his CFIUS work, with a client noting that he “expertly guides you through the lifecycle of the CFIUS process, acting as an approachable and trusted partner to both the in-house team and the business.” Law360 selected Mr. Joseloff to serve as a member of its 2025 International Trade Editorial Advisory Board.

In recognition of his contributions during his government service, Mr. Joseloff received a number of honors, including the Secretary of the Treasury’s Meritorious Service Award and Honor Award and the National Security Council’s Outstanding Service Award.

Mr. Joseloff received his J.D. from Stanford Law School in 2008 and B.A. from New York University in 2004. 

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