Department profile
Covington & Burling LLP

International Trade: CFIUS Experts

Global Guide 2026 : USA


Covington & Burling LLP

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

International Trade: CFIUS Experts - USA

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For
Covington & Burling LLP remains at the forefront of international trade work, acting for an enviable roster of domestic and international clients. The firm is adept at handling economic sanctions, export controls, trade remedies and policy issues. Its lawyers are experienced in representing clients before the ITC, among other agencies. The firm maintains a leading CFIUS practice, regularly assisting with matters in the telecommunications, cybersecurity, aerospace and defense sectors. Covington & Burling houses a deep bench of talented attorneys, including several former government officials, and its strength in matters of economic sanctions is bolstered by a strong white-collar criminal practice.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Covington & Burling is representing U.S. Steel on CFIUS matters in connection with its pending $14.9 billion acquisition by Nippon Steel Corporation.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • I particularly appreciate Covington's ability to advise from both a strictly legal perspective and within a commercial mindset being aware of a client's risk tolerance level.

    International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
  • Covington & Burling has a deep understanding of law, economics and our company. It is politically astute and connected.

    International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
  • Covington & Burling has an excellent bench strength from partners to associates, providing in-depth knowledge on niche matters.

    International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
  • Covington & Burling has a great ability to handle complex sanctions matters and they really provide very thoughtful and comprehensive sanctions advice on nuanced and complex matters.

    International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleCorinne A Goldstein
    Senior StatespeopleCorinne A Goldstein

    Corinne A Goldstein

    Corinne Goldstein boasts an impressive trade practice that sees her handle both export controls and economic sanctions work. She is particularly well thought of for her deep knowledge of OFAC.
    • Corinne Goldstein is a seasoned attorney with many years of experience in critically important areas of law.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
    • Corinne provides concrete, practical advice.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
    • Corinne has excellent knowledge and service.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
  • Band 1David N Fagan
    Band 1David N Fagan

    David N Fagan

    David Fagan wins widespread acclaim for his expert handling of CFIUS reviews. He is also adept at advising on issues such as FOCI mitigation.
    • David is always spot-on in terms of his legal and political perspective.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
    • David N Fagan is just a great lawyer, he does a masterful job.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
    • David is attentive to your challenges and finds thoughtful ways to approach things.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
    • David translates complex legal situations into decision-able risk trade offs.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
  • Band 1Mark E Plotkin
    Band 1Mark E Plotkin

    Mark E Plotkin

    Mark Plotkin comes highly recommended for his expertise in the CFIUS space. His clients include defense and technology companies.
    • Mark is a great lawyer and is able to synthesize information. Mark is really good at explaining and giving practical advice.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
    • Mark is a dean of this industry. He is unflappable and he takes the time to make sure you understand.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
  • Band 1Peter L Flanagan
    Band 1Peter L Flanagan

    Peter L Flanagan

    Peter Flanagan is a seasoned practitioner who regularly assists clients with issues relating to trade controls. He often works with clients in the oil and gas, pharmaceutical and defense industries.
    • Peter is one of the most well reputed lawyers in US. He is a brilliant speaker and writer, and a top level lawyer in this area.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
    • Peter has a wealth of knowledge across a lot of geopolitical issues.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
    • Peter has a great capacity for remembering and thinking through complicated rules and regulations, and thinking down the road about what might be needed.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
  • Band 1Peter Lichtenbaum
    Band 1Peter Lichtenbaum

    Peter Lichtenbaum

    Peter Lichtenbaum is a leading lawyer in the trade controls space. He is particularly experienced in working with aerospace and defense clients.
    • Peter Lichtenbaum is one of the best lawyers I have ever engaged as outside counsel. He's not only a highly intelligent lawyer but he is also a very compassionate human being.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
    • Peter Lichtenbaum is a pleasure to work with. He is a good listener, a strong advocate and is extremely knowledgeable.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
    • Peter is an excellent lawyer, with a background both as a government policy maker and in-house counsel that is extremely useful.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
  • Band 2Adam J Szubin
    Band 2Adam J Szubin

    Adam J Szubin

    Adam Szubin has strong skills in OFAC matters. His clients include financial institutions.
    • Adam knows the system inside and out and has a huge knowledge.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
    • Adam is really excellent on sanctions issues.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
  • Band 2Kimberly A. Strosnider
    Band 2Kimberly A. Strosnider

    Kimberly A. Strosnider

    Kimberly Strosnider serves as cochair of the firm's international trade controls group. She is well regarded for her extensive counseling work and advising on economic sanctions.
    • Kimberly is a very knowledgeable and smart lawyer. She is also very experienced which makes her advice very trustworthy.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
    • Kim is a great lawyer in the sanctions and export controls space. As an added benefit, Kim is very pragmatic in facilitating problem-solving where hard issues arise.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
    • Kimberly is technically excellent, she knows export controls really well.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
  • Band 3Shara Aranoff
    Band 3Shara Aranoff

    Shara Aranoff

    Shara Aranoff is known for her strength in trade remedy litigation. She regularly handles antidumping and countervailing duty cases.
    • Shara is very reasoned, calm and gets accurate complete information.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
    • Shara Aranoff is a subject matter expert and knows the field inside and out. Shara knows all the regulations and brings long history of customs knowledge to the table.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
    • Shara is really helpful and extremely responsive.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
  • Band 4John K Veroneau
    Band 4John K Veroneau

    John K Veroneau

    John Veroneau maintains an active trade practice and is noted for his work in the policy arena. His client base includes manufacturers and trade groups.
    • John has done well advising clients on matters arising under trade agreement or on matters with political issues. He is a very thoughtful and good advocate.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
  • Band 4Jonathan R Wakely
    Band 4Jonathan R Wakely

    Jonathan R Wakely

    Jonathan Wakely regularly assists clients with CFIUS reviews. He advises automotive and pharmaceutical companies, among others.
    • Johnathon is very articulate and knows the people involved in the process.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
    • Jonathan is able to effortlessly combine subject matter expertise with a practical approach.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
    • Jonathan has fantastic insight. He toggles between legal theory, federal policy and the corporate near seamlessly.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
  • Band 5Heather Finstuen
    Band 5Heather Finstuen

    Heather Finstuen

    Heather Finstuen has a growing practice advising both US and international clients on securing CFIUS approval. Her expertise also includes the mitigation of FOCI.

    • Heather is an exceptional representative. She was key to the success of our CFIUS application and provides key support for ongoing security and compliance.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
    • Heather Finstuen is very responsive, practical and has good commercial and legal judgment.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
  • Band 5James Smith
    Band 5James Smith

    James Smith

    James Smith is noted for his expertise in trade matters, with an adept understanding of US foreign trade law.

    • James has an excellent awareness of US foreign trade law, its implications and an ability to advise on client on accretive business strategies.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
    • James is very adept at trade matters, we depend on his counsel.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
    • James Smith explains his reasoning thoroughly and thoughtfully. He knows that international trade issues are like multidimensional chess games and he is always thinking several steps ahead.

      International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal

Ranked Individuals at Covington & Burling LLP (12)

USA

  • Profile image of Corinne A Goldstein

    Corinne A Goldstein

    International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions

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  • Profile image of Peter L Flanagan

    Peter L Flanagan

    International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions

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  • Profile image of Peter Lichtenbaum

    Peter Lichtenbaum

    International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions

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  • Profile image of Adam J Szubin

    Adam J Szubin

    International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions

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  • Profile image of Kimberly A. Strosnider

    Kimberly A. Strosnider

    International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions

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  • Profile image of Shara Aranoff

    Shara Aranoff

    International Trade: Trade Remedies & Trade Policy

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  • Profile image of John K Veroneau

    John K Veroneau

    International Trade: Trade Remedies & Trade Policy

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  • Profile image of James Smith

    James Smith

    International Trade: Trade Remedies & Trade Policy

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