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Thomas J McCarthy

Thomas J McCarthy

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Akin

Akin

United States • International trade and national security

1

Customs, export controls and economic sanctions

Akin‘s export controls, customs, and sanctions teams have a strong reputation on the market due to a combination of high-end clients and a strong depth of services. On the customs side of the team, the firm’s attorneys are capable of representing companies across a range of market sectors including shipping, rail, and food with a focus on investigations, tariff controversies, and litigation. The firm’s large international trade deal flow, combined with its reputation in the area, has led to wide-reaching global capabilities and experience in the sanctions and export controls space, with ITAR and EAR investigations a notable strength. Part of a very deep bench of lawyers in Washington D.C., Thomas J McCarthy ’s client base includes significant aerospace and defense companies. Lars-Erik A Hjelm and Suzanne Kane head the custom practice, with vast public and private sector experience. Susan M C Kovarovics focuses her practice on ITAR and EAR sanctions. Shiva Aminian leads the international trade practice on the West Coast, working out of the Los Angeles office. Kevin Wolf remains very important to the team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Phone
+1 202.887.4047
Email
[email protected]
Profile
akingump.com

Profile

Work Department
Partner; International Trade
Position

Tom McCarthy serves as head of the firm’s international trade practice and a member of the regulatory practice steering committee. He counsels clients on U.S. law and policy affecting international trade and business, including export control laws, sanctions programs, customs law, anticorruption laws, antiboycott regulations and foreign investment in the United States.

To learn more about Tom, please visit his full profile: https://www.akingump.com/en/lawyers-advisors/thomas-james-mccarthy.html

Career

Member, Board of Directors, Center for Civilians in Conflict; Officer in the U.S. Navy

Memberships
District of Columbia Bar, Maryland Bar
Education

JD, University of Virginia School of Law (1998); BS, University of Michigan (1991).

Content supplied by Akin

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘On US Customs matters, Akin has the right depth of experience to help navigate these complex requirements. Their insights and know-how really made the difference in helping our Company respond to a long-standing audit and reach a beneficial resolution.’

    ‘Lars Hjelm is not only an expert in the Customs space but they always go the extra mile to help when needed.’

    ‘Akin is well-connected with various officials and elected representatives representing both parties. Their bench of former government officials is impressive and very helpful in figuring out how to interpret and anticipate new regulations. For export matters, they have true experts in every field, from policy to implementation to licenses and rulings. They even have engineering experts for classification. In the fast-moving field of AI regulations, they are THE experts in export compliance.’

    ‘Kevin Wolf is a legend in export compliance - he has helped with many critical policy decisions.

    'Shiva Aminian has a wealth of knowledge and connections. She provides actionable advice for every situation. I would not be successful in my trade compliance director role without her.'

    ‘Akin has one of the deepest benches in the field, if not the deepest. They also have mostly cornered the market on DDTC consent agreements, and provide clients with a depth of experience and learnings that few other firms can provide. Add to that Kevin Wolf's BIS expertise and they become a juggernaut. Beyond providing superior legal services, they are a wonderful bunch of people, really great to work with. ’

    ‘Super deep experience with consent agreements. Involved in every major enforcement action over the past 10 years. Also very experienced with the operation aspects of trade compliance, which enables them to provide practical advice and embed with clients.’

Key clients

  • Vitol Keysight Technologies, Inc. Kenvue HawkEye 360 Iridium Johnson & Johnson

Work highlights

Advises HawkEye 360 on policy advocacy to the U.S. Congress and government agencies (including funding requests), export control compliance and licensing, government contracting (including classified government contracts), spacecraft licensing and other related regulatory advice.
Advises a market-leading consumer healthcare company on various customs compliance issues. The company distributes world-renowned over-the-counter brands.
Provide export control and sanctions advice and support, including in connection with Keysight’s 2021 ITAR Consent Agreement.