An international trade powerhouse, Akin provides standalone expertise in all core trade areas, including dominant offerings in both customs and import controls, and export controls and economic sanctions. Fielding one of the largest trade departments in the market, the already-sizeable group was additionally boosted in July 2023 with the hire of a team from Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP, which included Ryan Fayhee, Roy Liu and Tyler Grove—all of whom have significant export controls and economic sanctions expertise. Other key names for export controls and economic sanctions include Kevin Wolf, a veteran in the national security field; regulatory practice leader Thomas J McCarthy, whose experience cuts across export controls, sanctions and customs laws; former federal prosecutor Jonathan Poling, who specializes in regulatory and enforcement actions before the the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) among others; and technology specialist Shiva Aminian, who splits her time between Los Angeles and San Francisco and leads the international trade practice on the West Coast. The customs department is co-led by Lars-Erik Hjelm and Suzanne Kane, who together contribute extensive experience in representing corporations on import and export regulations, including in investigations and enforcement matters administered by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Named attorneys are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

‘Blending legal expertise with a deep understanding of global trade dynamics’, Hogan Lovells US LLP is particularly recognized for its thriving export controls and economic sanctions practice, while it also maintains a significant customs offering. In terms of the former area, the group draws on colleagues in Asia, the EU and the UK to provide a strong base of heavily regulated industry clients with multi-jurisdictional regulatory and enforcement advice, particularly in relation to perceived ‘high-risk’ countries, such as Russia, China, Iran, and others. Key names to note include Beth Peters, who is widely regarded as a market leader for export controls and economic sanctions matters. Overarching international trade and investment co-head, Ajay Kuntamukkala, is also a high-profile name for export controls and economic sanctions, where he counts Pfizer among his representative clients. The Washington DC-based group also draws on the export controls and sanctions expertise of Stephen Propst, Aleksandar Dukic, Anthony Capobianco and counsel Josh Gelula. On the customs side, trade litigator Craig Lewis and international trade and investment co-head Jonathan Stoel are recommended. In January 2024, Chandri Navarro left the firm.

King & Spalding LLP impresses clients with its ‘exceptional expertise in US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) import regulations’. The group routinely handles highly sensitive customs investigations and contentious matters, with its wider strength in trade litigation standing as a complementary asset in this field. Customs head Michael Taylor specializes in the full range of customs compliance and Homeland Security matters, with his comprehensive sector experience spanning the life sciences, chemicals, textiles, agribusiness, energy and aerospace industries, among others. His team also draws on Jeffrey Telep, who spearheads the firm’s Section 337 practice at the US International Trade Commission (USITC); up-and-coming customs specialist Patrick Togni; and International trade chair Stephen Orava, who has a significant customs dimension to his practice. The overarching international trade department also houses an increasingly prominent export controls and economic sanctions offering. National security specialist Christine Savage leads the CFIUS, export controls and sanctions unit and is sought after for her extensive experience both in government and private practice in compliance and enforcement proceedings. Other contacts on the export controls and sanctions side include Alexis Early and counsels Danielle Pressler and Shaswat Das. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC.

A force in the national security area, Latham & Watkins LLP is a popular choice to represent major global clients—including multinational corporations, private equity funds and financial institutions—on export controls and economic sanctions. Equally adept at compliance and enforcement matters, the team advises on the full range of primary and secondary sanctions programs administered by the US, EU and UK, among other jurisdictions. Les P. Carnegie co-leads the economic sanctions and export controls group as well as the wider CFIUS and US national security department; his practice takes in a broad scope of related regulatory matters, including defense trade controls under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and dual-use export controls under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Fellow economic sanctions and export controls co-lead, Eric S. Volkman, leverages his white-collar crime expertise to contribute significant experience in international corporate investigations, FCPA-related matters and anti-money laundering. Other key contacts in the Washington DC-based team include CFIUS specialist, Damara Chambers, who co-heads the national security department and is also noted for her record in advising on export control and economic sanctions issues; and counsel Andrew Galdes, who is a rising star in the field.

Trade lawyers at White & Case LLP are praised by clients as ‘instrumental in providing favorable solutions to import roadblocks’. Certainly the firm maintains an active customs and import compliance practice, which is keeping increasingly busy advising on supply chains and forced labor-related issues, alongside traditional customs areas such as duty regimes and tariff mitigation strategies. Trade litigator Jay Campbell is a key contact for customs work and recently teamed up with Walter Spak to represent numerous manufacturing clients in ongoing Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA) investigations. International trade head David Bond and senior associate Jessica Lynd also handle customs matters. The team’s export controls and economic sanctions offering—co-led by Nicole Erb and Richard Burke—stands out for its expertise across a wide range of US and non-US sanctions and export control regimes, while it is also is well-placed to advise on Russia countermeasures. Among its recent highlights in the sanctions space, Cristina Brayton-Lewis paired up with regulatory litigator Claire DeLelle to successfully represent a cryptocurrency exchange in voluntary self-disclosure proceedings before OFAC regarding apparent violations of the Iran sanctions. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC.

BakerHostetler’s international trade and national security group is particularly active on behalf of clients in the infrastructure, natural resources, technology, manufacturing, and aerospace and defense sectors. The full-spectrum department houses standalone offerings in both customs law and export controls and sanctions, where it advises on the full chain of regulatory compliance, investigations and enforcement actions. Trade co-head Melissa Mannino is recommended for her broad national security practice that spans export controls, foreign investment and economic sanctions work—she is a former Chief of Enforcement and Litigation at the Office of Chief Counsel for Industry and Security (OCC-IS). Other key contacts for export controls and sanctions include Barbara Linney, who is qualified in the US, Canada and the UK; and Houston-based aerospace and defense specialist Lana Muranovic. On the customs front, trade co-head Michael S. Snarr is a key contact, along with Houston’s Matthew Caligur. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

Applying ‘excellent business judgment to its sound legal advice’, Crowell & Moring LLP’s international trade group combines a prominent customs offering with solid—and growing—expertise in export controls and economic sanctions. In terms of the former, trade co-head John Brew is recommended for his comprehensive practice that spans customs administration, enforcement, regulatory compliance and contentious matters, among others. David Stepp, who splits his time between Los Angeles and Shanghai, is also noted for customs work. On the export controls and economic sanctions front, the sizeable team draws on the experience of trade vice chair David (Dj) Wolff; high-profile trade veteran and practice founder, Jeffrey Snyder; Carlton Greene, who co-chairs the export controls and economic sanctions subgroup together with Wolff; former OFAC Chief Counsel Jason Prince, who joined the firm in 2023; and international trade co-chair Nicole Janigian Simonian, who divides her practice between Los Angeles and Shanghai. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

Export controls and economic sanctions lawyers at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP work in close coordination with their white-collar defense and investigations colleagues to provide full-service advice on matters intersecting trade and anti-corruption, anti-money laundering and national security. Handling a broad scope of advisory, licensing, investigative and transactional matters, the team’s ability to draw on the wider firm’s M&A firepower and international platform ensures it is routinely engaged by multinational corporations seeking advice on US regulations—it also advises on EU, UN and UK regimes. Department co-head Judith Alison Lee specializes in international trade regulation, including compliance with the USA Patriot Act, FCPA, economic sanctions, and embargoes and export controls. Adam Smith co-heads the group and combines experience in international trade compliance and white-collar investigations. The Washington DC-based practice also draws on Stephenie Gosnell Handler, who focuses on cybersecurity and technology-related matters; senior of counsel Ronald Kirk, who additionally co-heads the overarching trade team; and newly promoted partner Christopher Timura.

Noted for its ‘deep bench when it comes to trade compliance’, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP draws on 15 lawyers in the export controls, economic sanctions and customs law areas. The firm’s unique strengths in the nuclear, energy, technology, defense, and aerospace spheres pay dividends, and the team attracts a significant volume of work related to those industries. In particular, it is recognized for its expertise in advising on nuclear export controls and the overlap of the EAR with Department of Energy (DOE) and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regimes. Among its recent work in the nuclear space, global regulatory head Nancy Fischer advised the Ad Hoc Utilities Group on the potential applicability of Russia and Iran-related sanctions to imports of nuclear fuel for use in US commercial nuclear power plants. The Washington DC-based team also includes trade veteran Christopher Wall; trade chair Stephan Becker;  Aaron Hutman; and Benjamin Cote.

WilmerHale stands out for its ‘combination of expertise on trade compliance laws in the US, UK and EU, with a practical mindset on implementation’. The group is additionally distinguished by its ability to draw on the firm’s premier white-collar criminal defense practice for support in complex investigations and enforcement matters. Washington DC-based senior counsel Ronald Meltzer is a high-profile expert in export and economic sanctions matters, where he provides ‘clear, practical advice assessing not just the legal but other risks associated with proposed actions’. Michael Dawson, also in Washington DC, is a specialist in regulatory compliance matters concerning financial and technology clients, while New York-based up-and-coming partner Zachary Goldman has extensive experience in representing fintech entities on sanctions-risk management. On the customs front, Washington DC-based trade litigator Jeffrey Kessler has experience in customs matters and forced labor-related laws.

Clifford Chance’s export controls and economic sanctions practice comes under the umbrella of the international trade, regulatory and enforcement group, ensuring strong expertise in complex investigations and enforcement work. The team additionally advises on risk assessments, compliance programs and general regulatory matters. Highly regarded sanctions specialist George Kleinfeld co-heads the Washington DC-based team together with David DiBari, who serves as global co-head of the risk practice and focuses on defending multinational clients in criminal and administrative matters, including economic sanctions, export controls and FCPA-related cases. Also noted are international trade regulation partner Renée Latour and Joshua Berman, who specializes in white-collar and government investigations.

Cooley LLP is held up by sources for its extensive expertise in technology-related matters—particularly in the area of encryption controls—in line with its firm-wide sector focus. Demonstrating robust capability in both compliance and enforcement work, the group routinely collaborates with colleagues in the corporate, IP and criminal defense teams to provide full-service support on complex export controls and sanctions issues. Kevin King chairs the practice and is ‘particularly adept at software/encryption-related export controls’. The Washington DC-based group also draws on CFIUS head Christopher Kimball; newly promoted partner Annie Froehlich; and special counsel Rebecca Ross.

With the ability to partner up with teams across Europe and Asia, Dechert LLP’s export controls and sanctions group represents multinational clients in complex investigations and advocacy before enforcement agencies in the US and globally. The full-spectrum practice also advises on non-contentious matters, including regulatory approvals, conducting internal audits and structuring compliance programs. National security chair Jeremy B. Zucker possesses experience across a wide range of trade regulation spheres, with a focus on economic sanctions, export controls and anti-bribery issues. Darshak Dholakia is also recommended for his focus on economic sanctions and export controls as they relate to the financial services industry.

Among its practice strong suits, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s export controls and economic sanctions team is particularly recognized for its strength in Russia-related sanctions, where it possesses a strong record in handling Russia exit transactions. The group is also extremely active in advising on China and Venezuela-related sanctions regulations. From Washington DC, Nabeel Yousef spearheads the global sanctions, export controls and trade practice and is equipped to advise on an array of civil and criminal issues, including internal investigations and enforcement matters. In New York, the team draws on global financial institutions disputes head Kimberly Zelnick; and newly promoted partner, Stephanie Brown Cripps.

Goodwin’s export controls and sanctions team is prized by clients for its ‘deep understanding of the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector’, while it additionally brings to bear significant expertise in the technology space. The Washington DC-based group is consistently engaged to advise on regulatory compliance with EAR, ITAR, and sanctions administered by OFAC and it also handles international investigations and voluntary disclosure processes. Group co-chair Richard Matheny is recommended for his broad national security focus, which spans export controls and economic sanctions matters. Jacob Osborn is also noted for his niche expertise in encryption-related export controls.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP’s team is particularly active on behalf of private equity clients, and their portfolio companies, on export controls and economic sanctions matters. The wider firm’s premier transactional offering ensures that it is a first port of call for high-stakes transactional due diligence matters, and also frequently advises on export licensing, internal investigations and enforcement matters. Key contacts include New York-based litigator Zachary Brez, who specializes in complex enforcement and regulatory matters in the international risk sphere, as well as Washington DC-based international trade and national security specialists Mario Mancuso and Ivan Schlager.

Demonstrating strong commitment to growth in the international trade area, Mayer Brown made two senior hires in 2023. John Sullivan, a former US deputy secretary of state and former US ambassador to the Russian Federation, joined in Washington DC as national security co-head; and national security and white-collar defense lawyer Adam Hickey, based in New York and Washington DC, arrived from the DOJ, where he was a Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division. The duo will provide a significant enforcement dimension to the export control and sanctions practice, which is led by Washington DC- and Dubai-based Tamer Soliman. On the customs side, high-profile sector specialist Sydney Mintzer and Jing Zhang are names to note.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP’s export control and economic sanctions practice demonstrates strong showings on behalf of companies in the life sciences, investment management and technology spheres. It additionally advised several individuals on delisting requests before OFAC. Giovanna Cinelli anchors the overarching international trade and national security group and is well versed in export compliance matters and export enforcement, among other work. Kenneth Nunnenkamp has strong experience in conducting internal investigations into potential compliance issues under ITAR, EAR and OFAC and related regulations. The team is also well placed to advise on import and customs matters.

With experience across the full gamut of compliance and enforcement work, Morrison Foerster’s export controls and economic sanctions team is commended by sources for ‘bridging the mindset of a regulator and the private sector’. The group’s regulatory insight is due in no small part to its formidable bench of former OFAC personnel, including high-profile national security co-head John Smith, who is a former Director of OFAC. The Washington DC-based team also draws on fellow national security co-chair Brandon Van Grack, who managed the DOJ’s Voluntary Self-Disclosure Program for sanctions and export controls violations; and of counsel Andrea Delisi, who previously served as Assistant Chief Counsel at OFAC.

Striking a balance between compliance and enforcement matters, Paul Hastings LLP’s export controls and economic sanctions practice has experience across the full suite of related matters. The group forms a key part of the wider firm’s global trade controls offering, which benefits from platforms across 21 offices and leverages significant complementary firepower in Europe and Asia, among other jurisdictions. From Washington DC, Scott Flicker chairs the global trade controls practice and advises on a mix of export controls, economic sanctions, and supply chain security. Other key contacts in Washington DC include Tom Best, whose practice intersects trade and white-collar defense, and associate Talya Hutchison.