Department profile
Akin

International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions

Global Guide 2026 : USA


Akin

Rankings

About

Provided by Akin

To learn more about Akin Gump’s International Trade capabilities, please visit the International Trade page under the experience section at www.akingump.com.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions - USA


What the Team is Known For
Akin possesses a team of talented attorneys noted for their capabilities in customs, CFIUS, export controls and economic sanctions work. The areas of expertise cover ITAR, EAR, tariff classification and country of origin marking. The firm is proficient in trade remedies and trade policy issues, regularly working with leading domestic and foreign companies, as well as national governments. The team is also experienced in handling international mandates, supported by offices in Europe and Asia.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Akin advised a client that is a privately owned international investment business with a focus on investment in portfolio companies in energy, technology, health and retail sectors. The team advised on the CFIUS implications of a proposed restructuring.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Akin's ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters is very strong. I have worked with many trade attorneys and Akin is the strongest across all performance matrixes.

    International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
  • Akin is aware of external influences surrounding trade matters including pending policy matters, as well as market issues.

    International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
  • Akin is extremely knowledgeable and is always collaborative with our company to ensure we are up to date on new regulations.

    International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Kevin Wolf
    Band 1Kevin Wolf

    Kevin Wolf

    Kevin Wolf brings to bear previous government experience in assisting clients with export controls and economic sanction concerns.

    • Kevin is always prepared, polite and has a wealth of knowledge.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Kevin Wolf is knowledgeable, accessible and connected. He provides insight and advice that cannot be found elsewhere. He's a critical business partner on any decision that impacts company strategy.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Kevin Wolf is renowned expert in ECES and his insights are super valuable in understanding how the US Government is going to look at an issue.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
  • Band 1Lars-Erik A Hjelm
    Band 1Lars-Erik A Hjelm

    Lars-Erik A Hjelm

    Lars-Erik Hjelm is a highly regarded customs practitioner with experience in matters such as classification, valuation and country of origin.
    • Lars-Erik Hjelm's advice and guidance are invaluable in our decision making regarding international supply issues.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Lars-Erik Hjelm spent a lot of time getting to know our perspective. We lean on his advice regularly.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Lars-Erik Hjelm's takes a holistic view of your business and prescribes advice and services based on the unique situation and your businesses priorities.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Lars-Erik Hjelm is extremely knowledgeable, personable and responsive. I couldn't ask for a better trade attorney who understands my business and offers the right counsel to help us strive and grow.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
  • Band 1Matthew Nicely
    Band 1Matthew Nicely

    Matthew Nicely

    Matthew Nicely regularly handles trade disputes, and his clients include governments and companies. He is particularly strong at handling antidumping and countervailing duty matters.
    • Matthew Nicely is a great lawyer, he is super knowledgeable and heavily involved in complicated cases.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Matthew is a very capable lawyer. He frequently appears on large complex matters and represents clients well.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Matthew is very skilled and knowledgeable.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Matthew is a great trade litigator.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
  • Band 3Christian C Davis
    Band 3Christian C Davis

    Christian C Davis

    Christian Davis is a key partner in the team and handles CFIUS matters. He is experienced in working with clients from the technology, energy and defense sectors.
    • Christian Davis is measured, thoughtful and practical in his approach. Christian can distil complex regulatory regimes to the points that matter.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Christian is strong advocate, is solutions-oriented and someone who works especially well under high pressure.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Christian is very personable and well-versed in the CFIUS process.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
  • Band 3Stephen Kho
    Band 3Stephen Kho

    Stephen Kho

    Stephen Kho undertakes a host of policy and regulatory work for his global client base. He also represents clients in antidumping and Section 301 cases.
    • Stephen is very professional and always find excellent solutions and recommendation for us.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Stephen Kho is great at communicating with the client to understand the core of their concerns and interests.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
  • Band 3Suzanne Kane
    Band 3Suzanne Kane

    Suzanne Kane

    Suzanne Kane co-manages the customs practice group at Akin. She advises clients on import controls, tariffs, valuation and duty-free claims.
    • Suzanne Kane's is extremely creative. She is a very calm and authoritative personality which is helpful.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Suzanne is very good, professional and knowledgeable.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Suzanne is very comprehensive and thorough.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
  • Band 3Thomas J McCarthy
    Band 3Thomas J McCarthy

    Thomas J McCarthy

    Thomas McCarthy frequently advises on export control matters. He regularly works with clients in the defense and technology spaces.
    • Thomas seeks to understand what his clients are looking for before proposing solutions, and seeks to understand the company and the project. Thomas is a very hard worker and very responsive.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Thomas is an excellent lawyer, he is good on both ECES and on the practical and technical knowledge.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Thomas is very good and extremely knowledgeable about export compliance.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
  • Band 4Bernd Janzen
    Band 4Bernd Janzen

    Bernd Janzen

    Bernd Janzen is a trusted trade practitioner noted for his strength in the litigation space. His clients include corporations and governments.
    • Bernd Janzen is very responsive, gives clear and specific advice regarding complex issues and does so with a view to how our company can achieve its goals in a legal manner.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Bernd is a pleasure to work with and has an exceptional depth of understanding of trade remedies rules.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
  • Band 4Ryan Fayhee
    Band 4Ryan Fayhee

    Ryan Fayhee

    Ryan Fayhee serves clients across a range of industries, including financial services, private equity, technology, aerospace, telecommunications and others.
    • Ryan is excellent at keeping up with the issues and thinking about complex matters.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Ryan Fayhee has a particular expertise in Immigration as it relates to sanctions and export controls.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Ryan Fayhee is thoughtful and a good lawyer.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
  • Band 5Anne Borkovic
    Band 5Anne Borkovic

    Anne Borkovic

    Anne Borkovic is noted for advising clients on trade control issues. Her clients include those in the technology and healthcare sectors.
    • Anne Borkovic is a powerhouse. I was lucky to have her by my side throughout a very complex project.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Anne has deep experience working with consent agreement companies.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
  • Band 5Jaelyn Judelson
    Band 5Jaelyn Judelson

    Jaelyn Judelson

    Jaelyn Judelson regularly advises clients on trade control issues. She is noted for her particular expertise representing clients in the technology sector.

    • I found Jaelyn to be very knowledgeable and creative when working through complex issues.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Jaelyn Judelson knows the law, hits all the marks and is creative.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
  • Band 5Jonathan Poling
    Band 5Jonathan Poling

    Jonathan Poling

    Jonathan Poling has an extensive international trade practice. He often advises on export control matters.
    • He is good, thoughtful and I have a lot of respect for him. He is a straight shooter and a good advocate.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
  • Band 5Shiva Aminian
    Band 5Shiva Aminian

    Shiva Aminian

    Shiva Aminian has a strong international trade practice. She is noted for her strength in export control matters and her work in the technology sector.

    • Shiva Aminian is terrific and I love working with her. She is very knowledgeable about the current and potential new regulations. Shiva has all the right connections and knows how to get answers.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Shiva Aminian is consistently expert at assessing the business situation against the regulatory requirements and providing a framework for the client that is reasonable, implementable and practical.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Shiva Aminian is a strong and charismatic leader, capable of working with non-lawyers in the business. Shiva is smart, practical and sophisticated.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
  • Band 5Susan M C Kovarovics
    Band 5Susan M C Kovarovics

    Susan M C Kovarovics

    Susan Kovarovics regularly advises clients on compliance with ITAR and EAR. She often works with those in the defense, manufacturing and aerospace industries.
    • Susan is our go-to trade lawyer, she is very methodical and provides very clear advice that we can act on.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
  • Up and ComingKatherine P. Padgett
    Up and ComingKatherine P. Padgett

    Katherine P. Padgett

    Katherine Padgett is noted for her strong abilities advising on the CFIUS implications of transactions.

    • Katherine always delivers thoughtful and clear advice. She does not hesitate to state a position and advise her client accordingly.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Through persistence and hard work, Katherine got a resolution for us that we exactly needed. She stuck with it and used her experience and network to get the approval.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
    • Katherine is responsive and thoughtful.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal
  • Up and ComingYujin McNamara
    Up and ComingYujin McNamara

    Yujin McNamara

    Yujin McNamara is recognized for her strong abilities advising on trade remedies and trade policy.

    • Yujin is savvy and always on her game.

      International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions respondentGlobal

Ranked Individuals at Akin (16)

USA

  • Profile image of Katherine P. Padgett

    Katherine P. Padgett

    International Trade: CFIUS Experts

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  • Profile image of Kevin Wolf

    Kevin Wolf

    International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions

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  • Profile image of Thomas J McCarthy

    Thomas J McCarthy

    International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions

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  • Profile image of Ryan Fayhee

    Ryan Fayhee

    International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions

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  • Profile image of Anne Borkovic

    Anne Borkovic

    International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions

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  • Profile image of Jaelyn Judelson

    Jaelyn Judelson

    International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions

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  • Profile image of Jonathan Poling

    Jonathan Poling

    International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions

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  • Profile image of Shiva Aminian

    Shiva Aminian

    International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions

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  • Profile image of Susan M C Kovarovics

    Susan M C Kovarovics

    International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions

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  • Profile image of Matthew Nicely

    Matthew Nicely

    International Trade: Trade Remedies & Trade Policy

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  • Profile image of Stephen Kho

    Stephen Kho

    International Trade: Trade Remedies & Trade Policy

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  • Profile image of Bernd Janzen

    Bernd Janzen

    International Trade: Trade Remedies & Trade Policy

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  • Profile image of Yujin McNamara

    Yujin McNamara

    International Trade: Trade Remedies & Trade Policy

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