Education
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Georgetown University Law Center, J.D.,
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Emory University, B.A., magna cum laude
Bar Admissions
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District of Columbia
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Ohio
Court Admissions
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United States Supreme Court
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David M. Tafuri assists clients with international business, public international law, economic development, rule of law and dispute resolution matters. He specializes in post-conflict countries, such as Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan. He draws on his experiences on the ground in the region and his previous positions with the U.S. Government and the United Nations to find creative, multi-forum solutions for clients.
From 2006-2007, Mr. Tafuri served as the Department of State’s Rule of Law Coordinator for Iraq at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. In that position, he worked directly with the Chief Justice of Iraq and the Iraqi ministries to help rebuild the legal system. He traveled across the country overseeing the State Department’s justice assistance programs and managed a number of large U.S. government contracts and nonprofit grants. He was also responsible for advising the U.S. Ambassador and staff on the Iraqi justice system.
In addition to his position with the Department of State, Mr. Tafuri draws on his previous experience as an aide to the Senate Judiciary Committee and a staff assistant to several presidential and congressional campaigns to augment his practice. Before entering private practice, Mr. Tafuri worked for the United Nations in Turkey. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of USA for UNHCR, the UN Refugee organization.
Mr. Tafuri’s current clients include public and private companies seeking to invest in the emerging markets of the Middle East and North Africa, as well as U.S. government contractors, NGOs and intergovernmental organizations. He also works directly with sovereign governments in the region. In addition, he has assisted foreign nationals in a variety of legal matters, including criminal and civil cases, political asylum and refugee proceedings.
Representative Matters
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Mr. Tafuri began representing the Libyan rebels and the National Transitional Counsel of Libya (“NTC”) after the protests in Libya began. During the war, he assisted the NTC in gaining recognition by the U.S. government as the sole legitimate government of Libya. He now serves as the U.S. legal counsel to the new government of Libya and advises on public international law matters.
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Represents Libyan sovereign wealth funds on issues related to funds blocked pursuant to the UN Security Council resolutions on Libya, as well as on litigation matters in US federal court.
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Helped found both the Iraq Business Initiative at the US Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Kurdistan Business Council, which advise US companies on investing in Iraq. He currently serves as the President of the U.S. Kurdistan Business Council.
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Defended the Embassy of Iraq in a litigation matter and works closely with both the Embassy and the Iraqi Commercial Office on investment matters in Iraq.
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Advises a U.S. company that is a leading investor in the energy, oil and mineral sectors in Iraq on legal and regulatory compliance and on market entry.
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Represents the largest bank in Iraq on investment and policy matters.
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Assists large U.S. Government contractor on operations and investments in Afghanistan and on policy matters related to Afghanistan.
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Represents the transitional government of Madagascar on public international law matters.
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