Admissions
- New York
- Washington, DC
- Washington State
- US Supreme Court
Education
- Yale Law School, JD, 1985; Senior Editor, Yale Law Journal; Potter Stewart Moot Court Prize.
- Drake University, MPA, 1982 ; summa cum laude.
- Drake University, BA, 1982: summa cum laude; Phi Beta Kappa (Junior Year); Student Body President.
Overview
John Sandage’s practice focuses on financial sanctions, public international law and matters related to sovereign governments, multilateral institutions and development matters, and government regulation and public policy. He advises on U.S. economic sanctions and related national security regulatory matters before the Departments of the Treasury and State. He counsels clients on licensing strategy, voluntary self-disclosures, and de-listings.
He has 40 years of experience as a lawyer and diplomat, including service as Under-Secretary General of the United Nations, as well as the State Department’s Chief of Counterterrorism and Sanctions Policy. He has worked with the governments of 153 countries on every continent. He has briefed and argued cases before the International Court of Justice and the Iran-US Claims Tribunal. He clerked for the Hon. Frank M. Johnson, Jr, on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. He practices virtually from the Greater Seattle area.
Representative Experience
- Represented a Swiss company before the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to achieve de-listing of sanctions imposed under The Global Magnitsky Act.
- Provided expert advice to support a Pacific Island nation’s efforts to modify existing Sovereign Wealth Trust Fund disbursement rules.
- Advised one of the largest New York Banks on compliance obligations in the context of an investigation brought by the United Nations.
- Advised Singapore investment fund regarding next steps after its corporate parent was designated as an SDN.
- Represented Swiss individual client in petition for de-listing from SDN List.
- Advised U.S. commercial real estate company on risk management and sanctions issues concerning divestment of 5 major Russian commercial properties.
- Advised U.K. Real Estate Company regarding the scope of U.S. sanctions prohibitions, licenses, secondary sanctions risks, and related issues arising under U.S. sanctions on Russia.
Practice Focus
- Economic sanctions
- Public international law and matters related to sovereign governments
- Multilateral institutions and development matters
- Government regulation and public policy
Publications & Speaking
- Law360, Expert Analysis: Iran Sanctions Snapback Raises Global Compliance Risks (Oct. 17, 2025).
- Law 360, Expert Analysis: Max Pressure on Iran May Raise Secondary Sanctions Risk (June 9, 2025).