Demonstrating a ‘vast array of knowledge and experience’, Akin fields a destination international trade practice, which houses top-tier offerings in customs and import controls, and export controls and economic sanctions. In terms of the former, its ability to leverage the wider firm’s legislative and trade policy expertise is a significant differentiator in regards to advising on customs regulation and World Trade Organization (WTO) customs affairs. Lars-Erik Hjelm is a go-to customs expert and co-heads the customs group together with next-generation partner Suzanne Kane. On the export controls and economic sanctions front, the team routinely advises on high-stakes International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR) investigations and compliance matters—notably, it has handled almost every single consent agreement issued by the Department of State for ITAR. Key names on the export controls side include high-profile specialist Kevin Wolf, who is a  former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration, Los Angeles-based Shiva Aminian , and international trade co-heads Thomas J McCarthy and Jonathan Poling. The team’s growth was recently reflected in a flurry of partner promotions, including Kimberly Myers, and Alexis Guinan—both handle customs, export controls and economic sanctions. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

‘A true powerhouse in the world of sanctions,’ Hogan Lovells US LLP impresses with its ability to plug into its extensive global network, which includes Asia-, EU- and UK-based teams, to cover the waterfront on export controls and economic sanctions relating to ‘high-risk’ countries. The group’s deep bench in this sphere includes preeminent expert Beth Peters, who recently secured a ruling for ZTE that released the China-based multinational from a five-year probation term imposed in 2017 for violation of US sanctions. The ZTE work was co-led by Stephen Propst and trade and investment co-head Ajay Kuntamukkala, who is recognized for his experience in the life sciences, nuclear, technology and defense sectors. Other recommended names on the sanctions and export controls front include the ‘clear and practical’ Aleksandar Dukic, Anthony Capobianco and counsel Josh Gelula. On the customs side, Craig Lewis and Chandri Navarro are key contacts. The team also draws on the broad expertise of trade and investment co-head Deen Kaplan. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC.

BakerHostetler’s thriving international trade practice continues to gain traction on the export controls and economic sanctions side and it has made several strategic hires of late. Most recently, the team welcomed new counsel and national security specialist Scott Jansen from the Department of Defense, who leverages extensive expertise in export controls, sanctions and embargo matters. The hire follows on from the 2021 arrival of trade and national security co-head Melissa Mannino, who also brings to bear significant government-side experience. Other key contacts in this sphere include department co-head Barbara Linney, who strikes a balance between export controls, sanctions and CFIUS-related issues, and Houston-based Lana Muranovic, who is ‘clear, concise and always accurate’. On the customs side, Houston-based litigator Matthew Caligur is noted for his growing profile in the market, while overarching international trade co-head Michael S. Snarr also handles customs disputes. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

A dominant player in export controls and sanctions work, Latham & Watkins LLP’s enviable roster of multinational corporations frequently turn to the firm for support on compliance with OFAC, ITAR and EAR regimes. The group enjoys close relationships with a wide range of US and international clients, with strong recent showings in the technology, energy, life sciences, defense, and private equity spheres. Department co-head Les P. Carnegie is sought after for his broad combination of white-collar, trade regulation, and national security expertise; he successfully advised US-based Duolingo before OFAC and secured authorization for it to provide services in Syria. In another high-profile mandate, practice co-head Eric S. Volkman advised the International Olympic Committee on export controls and sanctions matters, including Russia and Belarus-related issues. The Washington DC-based group also includes CFIUS expert Damara Chambers, who has a significant export control and economic sanctions dimension to her practice, and talented counsel Andrew Galdes.

White & Case LLP’s trade team ‘provides in-depth and detailed legal advice that is always dependable’. Distinguished by its ability to advise clients globally both on export controls against Russia and also on Russia’s countermeasures, it has become a top choice for a broad mix of clients to advise on sanctions and export controls regulation, including foreign governments, state-owned entities, financial institutions and multinational corporations. Together, experienced partners Nicole Erb and Richard Burke co-head the sanctions and export controls department. The team also fields a prominent band of up-and-coming names including Cristina Brayton-Lewis, who is recommended for export controls issues surrounding critical technology. The firm additionally houses an active customs offering, which supports US and foreign clients on compliance matters and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) investigations and audits. Global trade head David Bond has a significant customs dimension to his practice. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise. Joyce Adetutu left the firm in October 2023.

Centered in Washington DC, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP’s international trade group demonstrates strong skill sets in economic sanctions and export controls matters. A popular choice to advise its broad base of multinational clients on compliance issues, the group notably provides ongoing advice to Amazon, and its subsidiary Twitch Interactive, on economic sanctions and export controls. Judith Alison Lee co-chairs the wider international trade practice and specializes in international trade regulation, including economic sanctions and export controls; notably, she spearheads the trade practice’s advice to Amazon. The team also includes Adam Smith, a former Senior Advisor to OFAC, and technology-focused trade specialist Stephenie Gosnell Handler, who recently rejoined the firm from McKinsey & Company. The group also has significant capability in customs matters, where it routinely advises on preferential trade regimes.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP’s Washington DC-based team provides a ‘unique service tailored to client needs’, according to sources. Forming key parts of the broader international trade offering, the economic sanctions and embargoes practice, and the export and technology transfer controls group are equipped to advise on the full range of related regulatory compliance issues. The group is a force in the nuclear sphere, where it possesses niche expertise in advising on nuclear export controls and the overlap of the EAR with Department of Energy (DOE) and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regimes. The defense, technology, and traditional energy industries additionally stand out as practice sweet spots. High-profile expert Christopher Wall is noted for his adept handling of commercial and military export matters, economic sanctions, and customs work. Trade co-chairs Stephan Becker and Nancy Fischer are also recommended for their sanctions and export controls experience, along with Aaron Hutman and counsel Benjamin Cote.

WilmerHale's interdisciplinary anti-money laundering (AML) and economic sanctions compliance and enforcement group brings together specialists in international trade, sanctions, and government relations. With on-the-ground platforms in Europe and China, as well as the US, the team is well placed to provide multinational clients with coordinated global sanctions advice. Washington DC-based senior counsel Ronald Meltzer fronts the team and stands out for his established record in representing clients in the technology, financial services and transport spheres on economic sanctions-related matters. The group also benefits from the experience of Washington DC-based Michael Dawson, who has an emphasis on the technology and financial sectors, and New York-based Zachary Goldman, who specializes in advising financial services clients on sanctions and AML issues. Special counsel David Horn recently left to join the Department of the Treasury.

Lawyers at Clifford Chance ‘focus on the opportunity not the threat’. A growing force in the field, the international trade, regulatory and enforcement practice specializes in defending domestic and multinational corporations in government investigations arising from US economic sanctions and export control programs. George Kleinfeld co-heads the Washington DC-based team and frequently appears before OFAC, and other agencies, in enforcement and regulatory proceedings. Global risk specialist David DiBari co-leads a ‘practical and responsive’ group that also includes Renée Latour and trial lawyer Joshua Berman.

Cooley LLP’s brand is synonymous with the technology and life sciences spheres and its industry strengths translate into a trade practice that is ‘especially adept at addressing export controls arising in the technology sector’. Kevin King chairs the Washington-based export controls and sanctions group and advises a broad base of US and foreign startups, public and private companies and venture capital clients on EAR, ITAR, OFAC and other anti-corruption issues. CFIUS specialist Christopher Kimball is noted for his expertise in export classifications and critical technologies. Other key contacts include Annie Froehlich, who recently joined from Carrier Corporation, and Rebecca Ross—both of whom are special counsels.

The Washington DC-based team at Dechert LLP possesses extensive experience in supporting US and foreign clients on highly sensitive economic sanctions and export controls-related matters. Advising on the full scope of compliance, investigations and enforcement, the group had strong recent activity in the technology, energy, financial services, and aerospace and defense sectors. Most notably, department head Jeremy B. Zucker recently paired up with up-and-coming partner Darshak Dholakia to advise Huawei on sanctions and export controls issues in relation to ongoing US Government investigations. Former global trade chair Amanda DeBusk recently retired.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s multidisciplinary practice is distinguished by its ability to resource complex regulatory, transactional and litigation work within one team. Washington DC-based department co-chair Nabeel Yousef routinely engages with government agencies on sanctions, export control, and anti-corruption matters; he recently advised BT on regulatory compliance issues, with a focus on the Commerce Department’s Entity List restrictions on Huawei. Litigator Kimberly Zelnick co-chairs the department from New York, and is noted for her financial institutions expertise. New York-based counsel Stephanie Brown Cripps brings to bear strong transactional experience.

Utilizing the firm’s expertise in the technology sector, Goodwin’s trade team specializes in representing technology and life sciences companies and sources attest, ‘advice is detailed and specific to the very individual needs of each of its clients’. The group’s comprehensive regulatory skillset spans OFAC, EAR and ITAR-related regimes, while its recent work encompasses compliance, transactional support and enforcement matters. Global trade head Richard Matheny ‘mixes experiences with wise counsel’ and spearheads a department that also includes Jacob Osborn, who has a focus on clients in the electronics, telecoms, software, and encryption spheres. Government contracts specialist Liza Craig recently joined from Reed Smith LLP.

Leveraging the firm’s platforms in Europe, China and the UK, Kirkland & Ellis LLP’s team stands out for its ability to ‘get experts from across different sanction regimes together to allow clients to make informed decisions’. The cross-department practice draws on Washington DC-based international trade and national security co-heads Mario Mancuso and Ivan Schlager, with Mancuso in particular dedicating a significant portion of his practice to economic sanctions, export controls, and other international risk issues. In New York, government enforcement specialist Zachary Brez is also noted for his expertise in international risk matters.

Led by licensed customs broker Sydney Mintzer, Mayer Brown’s Washington DC-based customs practice has recently experienced a significant uptick in supply chain-related work, including forced-labor compliance matters. The team has also recorded growth in advising China-based companies on US customs law, where mandarin speaker Jing Zhang is a key contact; notably, Zhang also advises US-based clients on issues related to China’s new blocking laws. From platforms in Washington DC and Dubai, Tamer Soliman heads the export control and sanctions practice globally; he is noted for his focus on the extra-territorial application of US regulations.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP’s growing profile in the international trade arena was recently evidenced by the arrival of the former acting chief of the Department of Justice’s Foreign Investment Review Section, David Plotinsky. He joins a group that has handled export controls and sanctions matters concerning most of the regimes in the US, including the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and OFAC. Giovanna Cinelli steers the Washington DC-based group and specializes in advising defense and technology clients on export control matters. Kenneth Nunnenkamp is also recommended for his experience in export controls and sanctions.

Morrison Foerster strikes the right note for its ability to put forward ‘suggestions around technologies and techniques to employ to achieve compliance’. Sitting as part of the broader national security practice, the sanctions and export controls team is well versed across a range of compliance, investigations and prosecution-related issues. The Washington DC-based group additionally stands out for its inclusion of several former government officials such as department co-chairs John Smith, who is a former Director of OFAC, and Brandon Van Grack, who is a former Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for National Security, as well as of counsel Andrea Delisi, who also had a stint at OFAC.