
International Trade: CFIUS Experts
Global Guide 2026 : USA
Rankings

Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
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 respondentGlobalCovington & Burling has a deep understanding of law, economics and our company. It is politically astute and connected.
International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobalCovington & Burling has an excellent bench strength from partners to associates, providing in-depth knowledge on niche matters.
International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobalCovington & 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 Statespeople 
Senior Statespeople 
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 respondentGlobalCorinne provides concrete, practical advice.
International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobalCorinne has excellent knowledge and service.
International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
Band 1 
Band 1 
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 respondentGlobalDavid N Fagan is just a great lawyer, he does a masterful job.
International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobalDavid is attentive to your challenges and finds thoughtful ways to approach things.
International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobalDavid translates complex legal situations into decision-able risk trade offs.
International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
Band 1 
Band 1 
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 respondentGlobalMark 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 1 
Band 1 
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 respondentGlobalPeter has a wealth of knowledge across a lot of geopolitical issues.
International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobalPeter 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 1 
Band 1 
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 respondentGlobalPeter Lichtenbaum is a pleasure to work with. He is a good listener, a strong advocate and is extremely knowledgeable.
International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobalPeter 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 2 
Band 2 
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 respondentGlobalAdam is really excellent on sanctions issues.
International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
Band 2 
Band 2 
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 respondentGlobalKim 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 respondentGlobalKimberly is technically excellent, she knows export controls really well.
International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
Band 3 
Band 3 
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 respondentGlobalShara 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 respondentGlobalShara is really helpful and extremely responsive.
International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
Band 4 
Band 4 
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 4 
Band 4 
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 respondentGlobalJonathan is able to effortlessly combine subject matter expertise with a practical approach.
International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobalJonathan has fantastic insight. He toggles between legal theory, federal policy and the corporate near seamlessly.
International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
Band 5 
Band 5 
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 respondentGlobalHeather Finstuen is very responsive, practical and has good commercial and legal judgment.
International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobal
Band 5 
Band 5 
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 respondentGlobalJames is very adept at trade matters, we depend on his counsel.
International Trade: CFIUS Experts respondentGlobalJames 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)
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