Mayer Brown‘s Washington DC-based Trade practice continues to grow, boasting a strong track record across customs, export controls, and economic sanctions issues for significant domestic and international clients. The firm’s Customs practice, led by Sydney Mintzer advises companies on supply chain risk, and import compliance and is capable of representing clients in proceedings before the CBP. The firm’s strong relation to Berkshire Hathaway has resulted in a stream of work for US manufacturers, whilst they have also seen growth in advising Chinese companies, with Jing Zhang a native Mandarin speaker. Tamer Soliman leads the Export Controls and Sanctions team, and his clients include sovereign wealth funds, defense companies, and emerging tech businesses. Adam Hickey is a key member of the team, which has also been boosted by the hire of Mac Bernstein.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The Mayer Brown export control team has deep subject matter expertise and is well placed to advise clients in the technology space. They are also well-connected with other firms internationally to help connect clients with local counsel when local export expertise is required.’

  • ‘The Mayer Brown firm can offer various exceptional experts meeting utmostly the need of the different stages of the litigation from the evidence survey, testimony, courtroom trial, appealing, even the juror selection. The staff from the same firm, experts outsourced and the representatives from the client's side are well organized, and back up each other making the whole litigation process smooth from the beginning till the end no matter how long the duration.'

Key clients

  • SONOS Inc
  • EverPro Technologies Company, Ltd.
  • Southwire Company
  • Element Electronics
  • Boxwell LLC
  • Arkema Inc
  • Wireless Supply Services, LLC (part of Asurion)
  • Magellan Corp
  • Blue Stem Brands
  • Maesa Inc

Work highlights

  • Acted as sanctions counsel to Yandex N.V. on its high-stakes, extremely complex exit from Russia, and obtained the OFAC license required to complete the divestment. This was the largest Russia divestment since the invasion of Ukraine, with a transaction value of over US$5 billion.
  • Secured a victory for Arkema Inc., a major global chemical corporation and lone US producer of R-32, when the US International Trade Commission (ITC) determined the industry was materially injured by Chinese imports. As a result of the final determination, antidumping duties of between 161% and 211% were imposed.
  • Represent Volvo in ongoing customs litigation at the US Court of International Trade seeking to invalidate certain Section 301 duties imposed by the US Government on imports from China.

Lawyers

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Next generation partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

Sydney Mintzer; Tamer Soliman

Other key lawyers

Jing Zhang; Mac Bernstein; Adam Hickey