Thomas J McCarthy > Akin > Washington DC, United States > Lawyer Profile

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.