Sectors
Man in a navy blue suit and tie standing in front of a blurred corporate law office background, facing the camera and smiling.

John F. Korba

Of Counsel

John (Jack) Korba is Of Counsel with Foley & Lardner in the Washington, DC office, and is a member of the firm’s Government Enforcement Defense & Investigations practice group. Jack draws from years as a federal prosecutor to advise clients on a variety of civil and criminal matters. Jack’s experience includes investigations into cyber attacks and computer fraud, Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), export control offenses and economic sanctions evasions, wire fraud, violations of Anti-Money Laundering regulations, the Bank Secrecy Act, the Anti-Terrorism Act, and more. Jack’s experience working with a variety of federal agencies and private sector stakeholders on long-term and complex criminal investigations translates to practical guidance, minimizing business and reputational risks for clients in a variety of cases.

Prior to joining Foley, Jack served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the National Security Section of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia where he litigated numerous cases in federal district court. Through this role at the Department of Justice, Jack honed his investigative and trial skills by working on long-term criminal investigations involving federal racketeering charges, international money laundering, large scale cyber intrusions, export control violations, international terrorism and hostage takings, immigration-related offenses, and homicides. He has investigated and prosecuted high-profile cases under statutes including the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), Export Control Reform Act (ECRA), the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), and has worked closely with federal agencies and private industry on matters involving national security and advanced technologies. Jack has years of experience on cases involving witness interviews and preparation, analysis of financial records, export and corporate compliance-related records, electronic discovery, the issuance of numerous subpoenas and other forms of legal process, motions briefings and arguments, and the presentation of wide-ranging forensic evidence. Jack also served for multiple years as an Assistant Attorney General in the Public Safety and Public Interest Divisions of the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia.

Representative Experience

  • Investigated violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA), smuggling allegations, and Submitting False or Misleading Export Information.*
  • Investigated multi-year export control violation scheme that involved the utilization of an array of front companies to funnel tens of thousands of dual-use U.S.-origin items, including electronics and components that could be utilized in the production of UAVs, ballistic missile systems, and other military end uses, to sanctioned entities.*
  • Investigated worldwide cyber intrusions linked to an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) group of actors associated with a nation-state. Intrusions resulted in persistent access to the networks of cleared defense contractors, law firms, municipalities, government agencies non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and technology companies, and caused millions of dollars in damage as far as remediation costs.*
  • Coordinated with public stakeholders, law enforcement, and private corporations regarding cyber incident response and mitigation measures following large-scale computer network exploitation activity.*
  • Worked with the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Department of State to generate sanctions packages for approval based on Executive Orders blocking property of weapons of mass destruction proliferators and their supporters, and blocking the property of persons involved in serious human rights abuse or corruption.*
  • Worked with the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) to pursue civil enforcement remedies against companies suspected of misappropriating and exploiting advanced U.S. technology subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).*
  • Litigated a multi-year Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) and Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering (VICAR) case involving numerous members of a major transnational criminal organization.*

*Matters handled prior to joining Foley.

Awards and Recognition

  • Recipient, 2024 United States Attorney’s Office FBI Service Award
  • Recipient, 2023 Partners in Law Enforcement Award from United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Affiliations

  • American Bar Association – Standing Committee on Law and National Security – Member
  • American University Washington College of Law – Mock Trial Coach (2013-2020)

Community Involvement

  • Fair Chance
    • Associate Board Member

Presentations and Publications

  • Presenter to the Special Division for Investigating international Organized Crime and the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office on Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism in the Dominican Republic (February 2023)
  • Presenter to the Transnational Anti-Gang Unit in El Salvador (November 2021)
A busy container port with cranes unloading cargo from ships, colorful shipping containers stacked, and a river with the sun setting in the background—an efficient scene not unlike bustling Chicago law offices managing complex logistics.
February 20, 2026

When Trade Becomes National Security: What the Administration’s 2025 National Security Strategy Signals for Companies and Cross Border Business

The Trump Administration’s release of the 2025 National Security Strategy (the “2025 NSS”) reinforces what has already become evident through policy and enforcement trends: trade, supply chains, and economic leverage are no longer supporting elements of national security policy, but rather its central tools. The most recent National Security Strategy was issued by the Biden administration in 2022.
A stone wall with the words "DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE" in metal letters, reminiscent of the entrance to prestigious law offices or the headquarters of top lawyers in Chicago.
February 10, 2026 Tariff & International Trade Resource

A New Year and a Renewed Focus on Foreign Influence Laws

While enforcement of FARA had steadily increased in recent years, the first few months of the second Trump administration created uncertainty surrounding the DOJ's prioritization of investigations involving FARA. In the meantime, multiple states are taking up the enforcement mantle with legislation of their own that have disclosure requirements very similar to those contained in FARA. With recent indications from the administration and the DOJ that FARA is still alive and well, risk will exist on multiple fronts for companies and organizations that have ties to foreign entities, receive fundings from foreign sources, and interact with foreign governments.
The words "Department of Justice" are engraved in capital letters on a light-colored stone wall, symbolizing the authority that guides lawyers in Chicago and those seeking litigation support.
January 29, 2026

Human Trafficking Liability Is No Longer Theoretical: TVPRA Exposure, Victim Remedies, and What Hotels Should Do Now

Human trafficking is no longer viewed solely as a criminal justice issue aimed at traffickers operating in the shadows. Increasingly, it is a corporate accountability issue, with significant legal, financial, and reputational consequences for businesses that knowingly, or recklessly, benefit from trafficking activity.
January 27, 2026 In the News

John Korba Discusses Hospital Strategies for Immigration Enforcement Encounters

Foley & Lardner LLP of counsel Jack Korba was quoted in the Modern Healthcare article, “How should hospitals handle ICE enforcement? Lawyers weigh in,” discussing legal strategies for hospital leaders encountering U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.
Three people in a corporate law office discuss financial charts at a table with a laptop, tablet, calculator, and printed graphs, focusing on data analysis and business planning.
January 9, 2026 Foley Viewpoints

Legal Risks Associated With Accelerated Investment Opportunities in Venezuela

January 8, 2026 Manufacturing Industry Advisor

CPSC Enforcement Under a Reorganized DOJ

On December 22, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), in coordination with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC),...