Practice Areas

  • We provide comprehensive and practical guidance on export controls and sanctions tailored to the complexities of international business. With diverse backgrounds across government entities, corporate environments, and private legal practice, our team is well-equipped to address a wide spectrum of legal issues encompassing  sanctions, export controls, defense trade regulations, and antiboycott compliance.  Having former government experience combined with in house experience at large multinational companies, our advice is realistic, practical and solution focused so that business clients can actually use our advice in the real world. Furthermore, we are experienced in handling representation for designated persons and companies.

    We offer strategic advice on both U.S. and international export control regulations and economic sanctions, leveraging our extensive expertise in key regulatory frameworks such as the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and regulations administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Additionally, our familiarity with the Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR) and UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) enables us to deliver informed legal counsel.

    We work closely with our alliance law firms around the world to offer a one-stop multijurisdictional solution to our multinational corporate clients without the overhead costs of BigLaw with fancy offices.

    Our attorneys have also successfully advised a range of prominent organizations and governmental bodies, including the World Customs Organization (WCO), the United Nations Security Council, the European Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS), and the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA).

    Representative Matters:

    • Advised US and non-US companies doing business in Iran, Russia, China, North Korea, Syria, Sudan, and Cuba on compliance with UN, U.S. and other sanctions and export control laws including cutting edge due diligence of counterparties.

    • Obtained OFAC and BIS licenses for US and non-US clients operating in sanctioned countries and territories including Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Russia, Syria, Libya, etc.

    • Advised US and non-US companies on navigating sanctions and export controls on Russia as well as representing clients before OFAC and BIS for delisting, licenses, and unblocking.

    • Settled alleged export control and sanctions violations for a multinational corporation resulting in a mitigation of over $300 million in fines; successfully closed federal criminal investigations into trade related violations.

    • Represented large non-US multinational companies and sanctioned persons before their major banking partners regarding sanctions issues including the release of funds and wire transfers.

    • Advised large European and Chinese ecommerce, automobile, shipping, and tech companies on U.S. extraterritorial sanctions and compliance measures.

    • Quickly obtained export licenses for anti-ballistic vests and helmets for news agencies deploying reporters to conflict zones.

    • Led national and international internal investigations for export control, sanctions, and customs violations resulting in voluntary disclosures to government agencies that resulted in no penalties;

    • Successfully represented companies under U.S. Government investigations as well as developing remedial measures to improve internal corporate compliance systems.

  • Our attorneys possess extensive experience in assisting clients with national security reviews related to mergers, acquisitions, investments, joint ventures, and real estate transactions involving the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Companies, both U.S. and foreign, frequently seek our clear and practical advice on how to navigate the intricate CFIUS regulations. We have evaluated hundreds of transactions to determine the necessity of CFIUS filings, providing counsel on potential exemptions and strategies designed to mitigate CFIUS-related risks.

    Our CFIUS services span a diverse client base from regions including China, Japan, Korea, Europe and the Middle East. We cater to a wide array of sectors, such as aerospace, defense, autonomous vehicles, semiconductors, technology (including AI, software, social media, and big data), energy, mining, and biotechnology. A notable strength of our team lies in the fact that our attorneys not only have a deep understanding of CFIUS regulations but also possess corporate and business experience in addition to former interagency government experience, enhancing our ability to represent and advocate for our clients effectively.

    Representative Matters:

    • Successfully represented clients subject to CFIUS non-notification investigations.

    • Advised and assisted investors and investment targets in closing seed round, Series A, and other funding rounds by overcoming CFIUS concerns and regulatory requirements.

    • Advised on a myriad of covered transactions involving semiconductor, AI, autonomous vehicles, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, software apps, renewable energy, logistics, real estate, medical devices, and other industries.

    • Successfully advised on a real estate investment in a mining company located near a military installation.

    • Successfully conducted due diligence regulatory reports for U.S. underwriters of multiple IPO’s of Chinese companies on NASDAQ with respect to the new Outbound Investment Security Program (OISP).

  • Navigating the complexities of U.S. customs and import laws can be challenging, but with the right legal counsel on your side, businesses can avoid costly mistakes and maximize its potential in global trade. Our expertise includes U.S. customs compliance and other import regulations, providing tailored solutions to ensure your imports flow smoothly and efficiently across U.S. borders.

    From tariff classification and duty minimization to handling customs audits, regulatory compliance, and disputes, we offer comprehensive services to help you avoid penalties and reduce import-related risks. Whether you’re a small business or a multinational corporation, our experienced attorneys are dedicated to keeping your operations compliant and your supply chain running smoothly.

    We’ll help you navigate free trade agreements, ensure accurate customs valuations, and resolve any issues with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). With our guidance, you can streamline your import process, reduce costs, and focus on growing your business in a competitive global marketplace.

    Representative Matters:

    • Petitioned CBP and mitigated over $7 million in U.S. CBP fines and penalties for a carrier and customs broker.

    • Advised U.S. importers on compliance with forced labor prohibition provisions, UFLPA and represented clients on withhold release orders (WRO’s) whose imports were released.

    • Advised U.S. manufacturers on utilizing the Trade Agreement Act (TAA) exemption under the Buy America Act for U.S. Government procurement and other Free Trade Agreements compliance.

    • Advised and represented importers on FDA and FWS registrations and import regulations.

    • Successfully advised importer on scope rulings for exclusion from anti-dumping duties.

    • Audited customs valuation for a prior disclosure resulting in no fines for an importer of luxury products.

    • Advised the largest mining company as a  first time importer into the U.S.

  • Our attorneys assist clients with international shipping and trade compliance needs, specializing in issues that concern freight forwarders, 3PL, NVOCC, fulfillment service providers, express delivery companies, and ecommerce companies including the Shipping Act, FMC regulations, TSA regulations, warehousing contracts, logistics agreements, trade compliance risks for logistics companies, and customs regulations that impact the industry.

    Representative Matters:

    • Successfully advised U.S. companies to obtain licenses with the FMC as a NVOCC

    • Assisted a foreign NVOCCs register with the Chinese Ministry of Transport

    • Advised eCommerce companies on the INFORM ACT for compliance and risk mitigation.

    • Advised clients on establishing new distribution centers and warehouses in the U.S., UK, Belgium, China, Singapore, etc. for U.S. retail and delivery businesses.

    • Advised ecommerce and foreign forwarding companies on Section 321 (de minimis) compliance, Importer of Record (IOR) considerations, and ultimate consignee obligations.

    • Advised and assisted the establishment of routed export transactions for U.S. retailers.

    • Obtained regulatory approvals for express consignment hubs in the U.S. and in China.