James Brower is a partner in the Litigation Department and a member of the National Security & CFIUS Practice Group, with decades of experience in national security, investment review, and litigation matters.
James advises clients on a wide range of matters relating to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and other national security regulatory matters. His practice encompasses CFIUS filings, mitigation negotiations, compliance strategies, and engagement with federal agencies on behalf of domestic and foreign investors, private equity sponsors, and multinational corporations.
Prior to joining Paul, Weiss, James served in multiple roles across the Executive Branch, including at the Defense Security Service, now the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), within the Department of War and the Office of Investment Security within the Department of the Treasury, where he spent years handling complex filings, transactions, and interagency policymaking. While at Treasury, James led the review, assessment, and investigation of over 100 transactions, directed CFIUS’s mitigation monitoring efforts, and played a central role in the deployment and implementation of the CFIUS Pilot Program, which introduced mandatory filings for critical technology deals. He also practiced at two global law firms, where he represented clients before the Committee, counseled companies on compliance with federal statutes and regulatory processes, and led engagements with DCSA.
Recent representations, prior to joining Paul, Weiss, include:
- SoftBank Group Corp. as a Co-Lead Investor in OpenAI.
- GALT Aerospace on matters related to its strategic acquisition of North Star Scientific Corporation (NSS), a premier designer & manufacturer of defense electronics products focused on providing high-reliability communications, radar, and radio frequency systems in support of command & control, electronic sensing, and airborne early warning & control missions.
- Palo Alto Networks, the global cybersecurity leader, on its acquisition of Chronosphere, a next-generation observability platform built to scale for the AI era.
- SoftBank on its acquisition of U.S.-based semiconductor design company Ampere Computing Holdings LLC for $6.5 billion.
James has been recognized by Chambers USA (2023-2026) for international Trade: CFIUS Experts, in which clients described him as having “deep subject matter expertise,” “in-depth knowledge of the CFIUS process,” and “a thoughtful and strategic approach.” He is also recognized as a Next Generation Partner by Legal 500 (2026) in the International Trade and National Security rankings, CFIUS and National Security categories. James was also recognized in Global Competition Review’s inaugural Foreign Investment Control 40 under 40 List.
