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North America - United States • International trade

Akin

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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.

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Key clients

  • Cisco
  • MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company
  • Maersk
  • 3D Systems
  • Supermax Corporation
  • United Parcel Service (UPS)
  • Keysight Technologies
  • Boeing
  • L3Harris Technologies
  • Raytheon Technologies

Work highlights

  • Represented Supermax Corporation, and its affiliates, in successfully lifting a Withhold Release Order imposed by CPB prohibiting its imports from entering the US.
  • Advised 3D Systems on criminal and civil defense and internal investigation matters connected to alleged violations of US export control laws, administered by the DOC and State Department, and violations of government contract laws, settled with the DOJ.

Lawyers

Leading partners

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

Kevin Wolf

Kevin Wolf

Akin

Experience encompasses the laws, regulations and policies pertaining to national security, foreign policy and other controls over foreign direct investment, and the export, reexport and transfer of military, dual-use and other commodities, technologies, software and services; focuses on U.S. regulations implementing these controls, including the EAR, ITAR, sanctions administered OFAC, antiboycott regulations, the FCPA and multilateral trade controls. To learn more about Kevin, please visit his full profile: https://www.akingump.com/en/lawyers-advisors/kevin-j-wolf.html

Thomas J McCarthy

Thomas J McCarthy

Akin

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

Next generation partners

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

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Thomas J. McCarthy, Jonathan Poling, Lars-Erik Hjelm, Suzanne Kane

Other key lawyers

Kevin Wolf, Shiva Aminian, Anne Borkovic, Ryan Fayhee, Roy Liu, Tyler Grove, Susan Kovarovics, Nnedinma Ifudu Nweke, Kimberly Myers, Alexis Guinan