David Greenlees is an international trade compliance attorney and President of Greenlees Global Advisors LLC. He has more than 30 years of experience in government and the private sector with a focus on international trade, defense, and national security. Skilled at engaging with government regulators, policy makers, and industry leaders, David develops creative and sustainable solutions to complex challenges in evolving regulatory environments. He served as a Special Compliance Officer for a defense company under a State Department Consent Agreement and was appointed to the U.S. Department of State’s Defense Trade Advisory Group (DTAG) for the 2024–2026 term.
Prior to founding Greenlees Global Advisors, David served for eight years as a Senior Compliance Specialist at the U.S. Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), where he oversaw foreign government and defense industry compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). In that role, he negotiated administrative settlements of AECA and ITAR violations and provided post-settlement monitoring and support for multiple consent agreements.
A retired U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant colonel, David has extensive operational experience as a field artillery officer in both peacetime and combat environments worldwide. As Operations Officer in the Marine Corps Office of Legislative Affairs, he briefed Members of Congress, senior executives, and flag officers on a broad range of defense issues and escorted congressional delegations to critical regions in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Earlier in his career, David practiced law in both public and private sectors, serving as a Deputy District Attorney in San Diego, a criminal defense attorney, legislative counsel, and an intellectual property litigation attorney.
David holds a J.D. from Thomas Jefferson School of Law and a B.A. in criminal justice from George Washington University. He is licensed to practice law in California, Michigan, and the District of Columbia.