Clark Fonda

Originally from California, I joined Werther & Mills after spending over 15 years on Capitol Hill. During my career, I served in multiple senior roles in government, including as a Congressional Chief of Staff, a professional staff in the Army’s Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology Office, and as a defense contractor providing trade analysis services for European Command.

While in Congress, I was known for my policy expertise on trade, financial services, and defense issues. In particular, I was well regarded for my work on U.S.-China trade policy issues, as I was an original co-author of the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act that was signed into law in 2018 and helped reform both the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and the U.S. export control process.

I left government in 2018 and founded Fonda & Associates, LLC. As a sole proprietor and entrepreneur, I served clients in the trade and financial services sectors, advised both the U.S. and foreign governments on export security, and assisted government contractors with Defense Department engagement.

At Werther & Mills, I focus on commercial litigation and corporate transactions. I also have experience assisting on white collar defense matters, as well as regulatory issues.

I hold a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California, a master’s degree in Irregular Warfare from the U.S. Naval War College, and a J.D. from the George Washington University Law School.

I am admitted to practice in Maryland, the District of Columbia as well as the Federal District and Circuit Courts for the District of Columbia.

I am a former collegiate sailor and in my spare time, enjoy spending time on the water. I am also lead guitarist for a band comprised of current and former Congressional Chiefs of Staff. Of course, nothing is better than spending time with my wife, Kathryn, and little dog, Bradley.

Notable Congressional Positions

• Chief of Staff, 2016-2018
• Executive Director, Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, 2015-2018
• Staff Director, Congressional Anti-Terrorism Caucus, 2011-2012

Experience

Member of the Maryland and DC Bar Associations

Publications & References

• BldUp, “BLDUP Spotlight: Clark Fonda,” August 26, 2021
• Yahoo News, “Should the U.S. ban TikTok over security concerns?”, July 23, 2020
• Yahoo News, “Here’s how Trump could ban the Chinese-owned app TikTok,” July 17, 2020
• Roll Call, “Congress looks at taxes, oversight, crime in fintech bills,” February 4, 2020
• Roll Call, “Crypto enthusiasts say new products lend bitcoin credibility,” January 14, 2020
• The New York Times, “TikTok’s Chief Is on a Mission to Prove It’s Not a Menace,” November 18, 2019
• The China File, “How Should Europe Handle Relations with China?”, April 19, 2019
• Charlotte Observer, “Pittenger could face two strong challenges next year,” October 17, 2017
• Bloomberg, “More U.S. Lawmakers Call for Scrutiny of Chinese Takeovers,” October 6, 2016

Speaking Engagements

• Guest Lecturer, National Defense University, 2017-2019
• Presenter, Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forums in Austria, Latvia, Argentina, and Washington DC, 2015-2017
• Presenter, USC Alumni Association, April 28, 2021
• Presenter, U.S. Blockchain Advocacy Partners, 2018-2021
• Presenter, Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, Working Group on Israeli Import-Export Security, 2019-2020